Oversight
After delays, women’s small business contracting program debuts
Program allows contracting officers to set aside awards to women-owned companies in 83 categories.
Oversight
Report finds ambassador caused 'dysfunction' at embassy in Luxembourg
IG cites Cynthia Stroum for an 'abusive management style,' and improperly purchasing thousands of dollars in booze using embassy funds.
Defense
TSA workers granted limited collective bargaining rights
Unions hail decision; lawmakers have mixed reactions.
Oversight
USPS changes salary rules for postmasters
Downgraded employees will see pay drop after two years if their salary exceeds grade maximum.
Oversight
GOP proposed cuts get smaller the closer you look
Leaders tout $74 billion in cuts from Obama proposal, but only $32 billion from current spending.
Oversight
Senate appropriator predicts another short-term funding measure
Inouye says chamber does not have time to review House’s proposed cuts before March 4, when the current continuing resolution runs out.
Defense
Demand for unmanned systems meeting new fiscal reality
Officials are asking suppliers to reduce the cost burden on the military.
Pay & Benefits
Rethinking the Best Date to Retire
Under FERS, it might not be the last day of the month.
Defense
Army suspends all ongoing insourcing plans
Army Secretary John McHugh calls for a more comprehensive and analytical approach to bringing jobs back in-house.
Defense
Pentagon issued millions in contracts to suspended and debarred vendors
Report found Defense awarded nearly $5.4 million to negligent contractors between fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2009.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Army taps Second Life for troop and family support
Virtual resiliency center will offer everything from exercise classes to tools for coping with the stress of multiple deployments.
Oversight
Contracting spending dips for the first time in 13 years
Government spent $15 billion less on contracts in fiscal 2010 than in fiscal 2009.
Pay & Benefits
Senator proposes reform of federal workers’ compensation program
Bill would require retirement-eligible employees to convert to appropriate retirement system.
Defense
Lawmaker proposes ban on TSA collective bargaining
Airport screeners are seeking union representation and bargaining privileges.
News
The Week in Comments: Long-term care, stormy weather and earmarks
The best in reader reaction to recent articles.
Defense
Senate probe finds gaps persist in preventing domestic attacks
Report on 2009 terrorist attack at Fort Hood, Texas, faults FBI and Defense Department for not taking sufficient action to identify and prevent terrorist plots.
Defense
Air Force tanker bids due next week
Much-anticipated contract award could come in late February or early March.
Oversight
White House seeks to bust myths about talking to contractors
Memo stresses that so long as officials follow ethics rules, early communication with vendors can help agencies craft stronger solicitations.
Oversight