The Government Accountability Office has recommended the Office of Management and Budget study the potential inclusion of land mobile radio equipment in its category management initiative.

GAO said Wednesday it examined federal agencies’ LMR interoperability and procurement practices through a survey and found half of respondents cited the use of proprietary features and encryption and the scarce investment in LMR systems pose a roadblock to goals.

Forty-percent percent of agencies purchase equipment from pre-approved vendors through a sole-source procurement, GAO said.

“While this approach can facilitate cost savings and interoperability, many of these agencies reported purchasing equipment through multiple agreements, a practice that can reduce these benefits,” the government watchdog noted.

OMB has required agencies to use category management in order to handle spending across government for goods and services except for LMR equipment, according to GAO.

“By including LMR equipment in OMB’s category management initiative, the government could more fully leverage its aggregate buying power to obtain the most advantageous terms and conditions for LMR procurements,” GAO said.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services looks for a professional who can concurrently serve as chief information officer and director of the Office of Enterprise Information at CMS.

CMS said in a USAJobs notice posted Wednesday that the CIO is responsible for technology required to deliver Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program and HealthCare.gov.

The Senior Executive Service position involves oversight of information technology management and modernization efforts as well as security of data and systems across the agency.

The incumbent will also represent CMS in IT-related discussions with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Management and Budget.

The CIO will also lead CMS’ efforts to implement key business and policy goals through modern technology and align business and system investments across Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP and HealthCare.gov.

The selected applicant will promote national and regional health data and information exchange to support agency and industry-wide interoperability as well as develop performance measures for accountability and risk management programs.

Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker has appointed 34 senior-level private sector representatives to the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee.

REEEAC appointees advise the secretary on the development and administration of efforts to support the export competitiveness of U.S. renewable energy and energy efficiency products and services, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

“The rapid increase in global demand for clean energy technologies and services provides a great opportunity for American businesses to introduce their world-class products and services to new markets,” said Pritzker.

She added the committee’s guidance will support Commerce’s efforts to mitigate climate change and expand U.S. exports.

REEEAC first launched in 2010 and has produced more than 30 recommendations on issues such as market conditions that affect the environmental technology manufacturing base; export financing gaps; and support and coordination from government and research programs.

The appointees are:

• Adam Atkinson-Lewis – Natel Energy vice president of international business development
• Bruce Bauchmire – DLZ Corp. director of renewable energy services
• Vincent Bemmel – Tekpea Inc. chief technology officer
• Mita Burke – Sunshine Industries USA CEO
• Matt Card – Suniva executive vice president of commercial operations
• Rani Chatrath – Geothermal Energy Association global initiatives coordinator, marketing and events manager
• Mike Davis – North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association director of strategic partnerships
• Kelly Davis – Renewable Fuels Association director of regulatory affairs
• Jen Derstine – Capstone Turbine Corp. director of strategy and policy
• Subhash Dhar – XALT Energy CEO
• Michael Dwyer – U.S. Grains Council chief economist
• Terry Fry – Nexant senior vice president for utility services
• Svetoslav Gatchev – Delphos International partner and managing director
• Seth Ginther – U.S. Industrial Pellet Association executive director
• Philip Green – Green Powered Technology president and CEO
• Arthur Haubenstock – 8minutenergy Renewables general counsel and VP of government and regulatory
  Praveen Kathpal – AES Energy Storage VP
• Kusum Kavia – Combustion Associates president
• Kenneth Kramer – Rushton Atlantic managing director
• Joseph Mendelson III – SolarCity director of policy and electricity markets and regulatory counsel
• Greg Merritt – Cree Inc. marketing and public affairs VP
• Gary Rackliffe – ABB Inc. smart grid systems VP
• Lloyd Ritter – Distributed Wind Energy Association federal policy director
• Jorge Sanchez – Sana Inc. president, CEO and co-founder
• Frank Shaw – Skadden, Arps, Meagher & Flom counsel for energy and infrastructure projects group
• Scott Sklar – The Stella Group president
• Kevin Smith – SolarReserve CEO
• Paula Soos – Covanta Energy government relations VP
• Jonathan Stewart – National Electrical Manufacturers Association government relations manager
• Zolaikha Strong – Copper Development Association director of sustainable energy
• Trey Taylor – Verdant Power Inc. co-founder and president
• Cindy Thyfault – Westar Trade Resources founder and CEO
• Laura VanWie McGrory – Alliance to Save Energy international policy VP
• Frank Yang – Stion Corp. business development VP