Management

Agencies Meet Small Business Contract Goals

Eight receive an A+ procurement rating, the Small Business Administration says.

Oversight

Special Counsel Defends Career Staff as Panel Subpoenas Trump Counselor Over Hatch Act Violations

Kellyanne Conway’s no-show at a House hearing prompts partisan-tinged questioning of Special Counsel Henry Kerner.

Tech

State Department Faulted for Redoing Web Page Aimed at Helping Refugees

Spokesman says modernization effort merely relocated material tracked by transparency group.

Management

Homeland Security Employees Aren’t Disciplined Consistently for Misconduct

Lengthy survey by watchdog faults vague definitions, poor record-keeping for the lack of standard consequences across agencies within the department.

Management

NASA Managers and Contractors Significantly Lowballed Space Mission Costs, Watchdog Found

Despite cost overruns and schedule delays, the space agency awarded Boeing and Lockheed Martin $200 million in performance awards, GAO noted.

Defense

Pentagon, Lockheed Martin Failed to Ensure Proper Parts for F-35

Watchdog questions adherence to contracts and performance incentives for Defense’s largest buy.

Oversight

Park Service Official and Boosters Helped Artist Avoid Taxes

Interior watchdog confirms agency mishandled purchase of $39,000 painting. 

Oversight

Drug Enforcement Administration Executive Cited for Nepotism

Justice Department IG finds son and former employees hired as contractors, wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Management

Kansas City Region Will Host Relocated Agriculture Offices

Local lawmakers welcome Secretary Perdue’s choice in still-disputed moves out of Washington, D.C.

Defense

Acting Defense Chief Reminds Rank and File to Steer Clear of Politics

Following recent controversies, Patrick Shanahan cites the Hatch Act and a department directive prohibiting certain partisan activities.

Workforce

Union Organizers Score Another Win at USDA

Staff at National Institute of Food and Agriculture vote 137-2 to join the American Federation of Government Employees.

Management

House Budget Chair Suspects White House Will Flirt with Shutdown

John Yarmouth, D-Ky., says the administration wants to delay a deal to maximize leverage with Congress.