Oversight
Defense and State brace for surge in Afghanistan contracting
Officials assure lawmakers they have strategies to steer clear of the waste, fraud and abuse that plagued Iraq procurements.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: GSA awards geospatial services agreements to four firms
$20 million blanket purchase agreement was awarded at the request of the Geospatial Line of Business, chaired by the Interior Department.
Oversight
Senate leader eyes key Monday vote on health bill
A favorable Congressional Budget Office score of a plan to allow OPM to negotiate rates with private insurers on behalf of a national plan would help lock down support.
Oversight
Lawmakers see danger in national debt
Senators say they will not support increase of the national debt limit beyond $12.3 trillion without a plan to create a debt-reduction panel.
Pay & Benefits
Defense releases guidelines for NSPS transition
Unions say Pentagon should not be allowed to hire any workers into moribund pay-for-performance system.
Defense
Troop surge to bring more orders for unmanned aircraft
Officials say intelligence and reconnaissance equipment will play a big role in Afghanistan mission.
Pay & Benefits
Premium Fairness
A bill that would keep premium rates at 2009 levels for CSRS retirees enrolled in Medicare is languishing in the Senate.
News
From Nextgov.com: Delays in Networx transition put cloud computing decisions on hold
Officials are considering cloud services, but don’t want to commit to them until they are further along in their move to the new telecommunications pact, vendor says.
Defense
Veterans Affairs’ acquisition practices come under fire
Inefficiencies and fraud in contracting programs lead lawmakers to weigh legislation updating the department’s business practices.
Defense
House passes Defense spending bill, riders
Chamber also approves five-day continuing resolution to keep the Pentagon running until the Senate passes and the president signs the appropriations measure.
Pay & Benefits
Partner benefits bill advances, but hurdles remain
Panel leaders won't back passage in the full Senate without assurances the measure will be cost-neutral.
Defense
Senate leader's Christmas wish list is growing
Sen. Harry Reid wants the chamber to pass a continuing resolution, short-term debt limit increase, Defense spending bill and health care overhaul before the holiday.
Management
Putting the 'I' in Teamwork
Should federal managers rate teams rather than individual employees?
News
From Nextgov.com: House backs e-standards for financial reports
Measures are designed to make it easier for people to search data from firms that receive federal funds.
Oversight
Senator asks IRS to report on contractors’ unpaid taxes
Top Republican on Finance Committee wants figures on delinquent Medicare and Medicaid health care providers.
Oversight