Oversight
GOP lawmaker calls for halt to federal 'spending spree'
In a speech touting the Republican agenda, House Minority Leader John Boehner proposes cap on spending and repeats calls for a pay and hiring freeze.
Pay & Benefits
The Magic Number
If you're eligible for Social Security benefits at age 62, should you take them now or wait?
News
From Nextgov.com: Agencies bust myth of year-end buying sprees
Once thought of as spendthrifts when September came, some officials now align their IT purchases with executives’ top initiatives and mission-critical services.
Defense
Agencies examine combat-related substance abuse
National Institutes of Health and VA will fund research on drug and alcohol abuse associated with military deployments.
Oversight
Agencies are getting too attached to incumbent contractors, watchdog finds
Narrow project requirements that favor one firm are another reason federal contracts are less competitive than they could be, GAO says.
Pay & Benefits
Personnel chief: Telework makes sense, especially during emergencies
The work arrangement should be looked at as a good business decision, OPM Director John Berry says.
Pay & Benefits
Agencies could be passing over good job candidates, survey finds
Hiring managers and HR staffs must work together to improve assessments, applicant selection and customer service, analysts say.
Pay & Benefits
A Head Start
Employees contemplating retirement should take these steps now to prevent long delays in annuity checks and other benefits.
Defense
Defense agency seeks 10 percent price reduction from suppliers
Logistics officials will focus on “price reasonableness” and signing more long-term contracts.
News
From Nextgov.com: Be careful mixing politics and Facebook, OSC says
Independent agency outlines what federal employees must look out for when using social media for political purposes.
News
Commission calls for more attention to kids’ needs following disasters
Better collaboration among federal agencies would be a step in the right direction, panel finds.
Defense
Lockheed on board with Pentagon cost-cutting initiative
Government’s biggest contractor says it’s working to reduce inefficiencies and cut overhead expenses.
Defense