New FBI Computer System Exceeds Costs
By MARK SHERMAN, Associated Press Writer
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
(02-22) 02:00 PST WASHINGTON, (AP) --
The FBI's latest attempt to modernize its computers is running behind schedule and its budget already has exceeded the cost of the last failed effort.
FBI Director Robert Mueller and other officials have refused to disclose the anticipated cost of the Sentinel program, which won't be fully in place until 2009. But the FBI has set aside $97 million for it this year and is asking for an additional $100 million in the government spending year that begins Oct. 1.
Last year, Mueller scrapped the Virtual Case File, Sentinel's $170 million predecessor, after consultants pronounced it obsolete and riddled with problems. It had been billed as the final piece of the FBI's computer upgrade, an instantaneous and paperless way for agents and analysts to manage all types of investigations.
The computer overhaul became a priority after the Sept. 11 attacks. Members of Congress and the Sept. 11 commission said modern computers were critical to enabling the FBI and intelligence agencies to "connect the dots" in preventing attacks.
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http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/02/22/national/w020001S55.DTL