Defense
GAO: Homeland Security lacks adequate workforce for performance-based acquisitions
Half of the major service contracts studied experienced cost overruns, schedule delays or did not meet expectations.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Bill lays out stricter info security requirements for DHS
Conducting vulnerability tests against known cyberattacks and setting requirements for the CIO post would be part of a bill that fixes shortcomings in a federal security law.
Defense
Defense to review 'unnecessary duplication' among services
Critics have complained that vast sums of money are wasted due to the military operating four air forces, two land armies and overlapping intelligence and space programs.
Defense
From NextGov.com: Navy changes course on IT outsourcing
A contractor will build the next-generation network, but it will be the service’s job to manage and defend the system.
Defense
Less than 8 percent of port workers have new security ID cards
DHS moves deadline to issue more than 1 million credentials to April 2009.
Defense
Panel sinks Navy's $2.5B request for DDG-1000 destroyer
The move essentially puts an indefinite hold on one of the Navy's biggest modernization programs.
Defense
FBI withdraws national security letters subpoena, freeing target to talk
Case involving a San Francisco-based digital archive is first known challenge to a security letter served on a library since a 2006 law limited the FBI's power to issue such information requests.
Defense
From NextGov.com: GAO says $1 billion needed to expand employee verification system
Bill to make E-Verify mandatory would require more staff at SSA and DHS, but would cost far less than policing U.S. borders, proponents argue.
Defense
Panels cut Future Combat Systems funding, back larger military pay raise
Raise boosted to 3.9 percent, half a percentage point higher than the president's request.
Defense
Commander finds no evidence of Iranian training or weapons in Afghanistan
Reports from the field contradict Bush administration claims of Taliban support across the border.
Defense
Panelists press Congress to rewrite law governing federal disaster response
FEMA needs more flexibility and special provisions to handle catastrophic events, say forum participants.
Defense
Senators decry lack of cooperation in analyzing threats
But members of the Senate Intelligence Committee also indicated that Michael Leiter would easily win confirmation as counterterrorism chief.
Defense
Army officers warn of atrophy in critical skills
Internal report says service could face exodus of artillery officers.
Defense
Suicides of Iraq veterans could top combat deaths
VA officials acknowledge suicide rate could be higher than earlier estimates.
Defense
Authorization bill attracts contracting reform amendments
The annual Pentagon policy bill may offer the best chance for several contracting-related measures to become law.
Defense
House Democrats to hash out war funding floor strategy
The multibillion dollar supplemental could hit the House floor as early as Thursday.
Defense
VA official says veterans' suicides not reflection of agency negligence
Veterans Health Administration official says it would cost millions of dollars to track compliance with mental health plan.
Defense
Marines’ V-22 Osprey returns from first combat deployment
Tilt-rotor aircraft successfully used in more than 2,500 missions.
Defense
Veterans Affairs passes bill updating benefits claims processing
Bill also calls for a study on readjusting the schedule used for rating disabilities and enhancement of information technology by the Veterans Benefits Administration.
Defense