Defense

Size of contracting workforce holds steady

New data shows that half of all acquisition workers will be retirement-eligible within 10 years, but actual departure rates are much lower.

Defense

Ex-Border Patrol officers condemn immigration measure

Former agents say Homeland Security lacks staff, technology to meet requirements in Senate bill.

Defense

Appropriators to take up veterans, homeland security measures

The four bills up for consideration would violate President Bush’s spending requests for individual subcommittees, as well as his overall limit.

Defense

Border crossing by TB carrier prompts DHS, Hill reviews

Agency procedures for handling the threat worked, but individual border officer allowed entry.

Defense

Homeland Security could face transition problem

Agency may lack bench strength in new administration, because few career employees are in high-level positions.

Defense

ADVICE+DISSENT: Intelligence File Too Close to Home

Intelligence chief Agencies’ reluctance to spy on Americans is largely a management issue.

Defense

Groups await changes in immigration bill

Business interests took a hit last week when the Senate voted to halve a proposed guest worker program to 200,000 foreign workers a year.

Defense

Advocates of stronger state chemical security laws plot next move

Attention has moved to the Homeland Security appropriations bill as a potential vehicle for language to let states pass more stringent rules than the federal government.

Defense

GSA announces five Networx telecom awardees

Sprint Solutions makes the smaller Enterprise contract, after disappointment on the large Universal award in March.

Defense

Army report backs upgrades in combat medical units

Internal briefings describe training, equipment shortfalls.

Defense

Report details challenges of new border security requirements

Initiative requires travelers entering the United States from any part of the Western Hemisphere to have secure, government-approved identification.

Defense

Defense plans to be big user of GSA’s Networx contract

Defense Information Systems Agency officials say they plan to shift from the existing FTS 2001 telecommunications system to Networx along with other federal agencies.

Defense

Navy rolls out new workforce strategy

Service hopes to set an example for the federal government in recruiting and retaining talent.

Defense

Report notes progress at DHS privacy office

Remaining challenges include issuing timely reports and updating public notices for old databases.

Defense

Senators offer bill to delay security rules for Canadian border

Legislation would require DHS to evaluate a test program in Washington state to determine if enhanced drivers licenses could be used to meet the new requirements.

Defense

GAO: Navy needs more contracting discipline

Bad procurement decisions hurt development of new Navy SEAL vessel, reviewers say.

Defense

Panel backs whistleblower rights for Defense contractors

An amendment to the 2008 Defense authorization bill seeks to give contract workers the same protections as federal employees.

Defense

Investigative panel targeting pollution at military bases

Probe will focus on Camp Lejeune, but could extend to other military-controlled hazardous waste sites.

Defense

Senate panel moves to scale back Pentagon personnel system

Armed Services Committee votes to repeal portions of the Pentagon's personnel system, amid rigorous lobbying from federal labor unions.

Defense

OPM pushes Homeland Security to move on pay for performance

Department has made progress on personnel reforms, but should begin basing pay on quality of work, report says.