Government Executive Vol. 38 No.4

FEATURES

Riding Herd
Government's turning to industry not just to round up players for huge projects, but to honcho them, too.
By Beth Dickey
Topping Off
The Strategic Petroleum Reserve keeps foreign oil suppliers from putting the United States over a barrel.
By Katherine McIntire Peters
Getting an Earful
The fight over domestic intelligence surveillance is more about legal loopholes than illegal listening.
By Jason Vest

Gambling on Reorganization
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff rolls the dice on disaster preparedness on the eve of hurricane season. By Chris Strohm
Leading the Charge
GSA won't divulge specifics, but contractors expect changes in the government's SmartPay program. By Kimberly Palmer
Numbers Game
The IT budget proposal contains modest increases, but it might understate spending. By David Perera
Gilded Awards
Alaska Native corporations land no-bid contracts worth up to $700 million as scrutiny over 8(a) status mounts. By Kimberly Palmer
Dicey Diplomacy
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's pro-democracy push in radical countries rattles Foreign Service ranks. By Justin Rood
Leadership Profile
The Player
Lifelong civil servant takes on high-profile challenge to run GSA's new procurement services organization. By David Perera

Managing Technology
FISMA Fizzles
A law meant to boost federal cybersecurity might be pressuring agencies to just shuffle paper. By David Perera
Management Matters
Forget About Perks
Federal executives should seek no greater reward than honest, humble service. By Brian Friel
Viewpoint
Three Keys to Change
Reform efforts can't get off the ground without a clear cause, supporters and a plan. By David M. Walker

Editor's Notebook
What role do the blabbermouths play in this administration?
Letters
The Buzz
NASA's Red Planet capital investment; meals, ready to sell; and who knew?
Outlook
Can a university be sued for failing to promote federal service? By Tom Shoop