Pay & Benefits

Agencies asked to cut performance awards

Total spending for senior executive bonuses should be no more than 5 percent of salaries, officials say.

Oversight

Biden, GOP announce spending watchdog plans

Two initiatives call for the creation of an oversight board and a website modeled on Recovery.gov.

Oversight

National Archives posts declassified Pentagon Papers online

Release is timed with 40th anniversary of original leaks.

Defense

U.S. casualties up as debate over withdrawing troops intensifies

Deaths in Afghanistan this year have exceeded the record pace of 2010.

Defense

For incoming Defense chief, no easy answers on budget cuts

Cost of maintaining the U.S. presence in Afghanistan will remain high even after troop withdrawals begin.

Tech

Home Sweet Home

Survey finds most employees prefer their homes to government telework centers.

News

Contractors Cry Foul

Oversight

Biden to unveil new plan to cut government waste

The vice president’s initiative will draw from Recovery Act efficiency efforts.

News

From Nextgov: FEMA watchdog endorses data mining to uncover overpayments

Inspector general urges the disaster assistance agency to replicate pattern-detection software used to monitor federal stimulus spending.

Defense

Agency awards grant for developing nuclear security expertise

The $25 million award will primarily aid graduate students and researchers working on nuclear nonproliferation and security.

Defense

Defense nominee backs prompt global strike effort

Panetta wants capability to deliver conventional warheads to any point in the world.

Oversight

Senate panelists debate independence of proposed board to sell property

Obama plan for civilian-style BRAC divides stakeholders on oversight and priority of helping the homeless.

Oversight

OPM: Pay raises are not a given

Director John Berry reminds agencies that mediocre employees should not receive automatic step increases.

Oversight

IG report criticizes NRC chairman over Yucca Mountain decision process

Watchdog says head of regulatory commission was "not forthcoming" with colleagues about his intent to stop work on the waste repository application.

Pay & Benefits

Decision Time

Only two weeks remain in the long-term care insurance open season.

News

Chief of the Year: Information

Christopher Smith, chief information officer, Agriculture Department.

Tech

From Nextgov: Satellite and aircraft images play key role in battle against massive Arizona fire

High-tech tools help managers plan where to set backfires, place bulldozers to clear fire lines, drop retardant by helicopter and position nearly 200 fire engines.

Pay & Benefits

Agency contributions to federal pension plans will rise in October

Employee payments will remain the same, but the total cost to government will increase, according to OPM estimates.