Tech
Credentials could ease hiring for IT security jobs
Agencies should follow the Defense Department’s model for IT employee certifications, representatives of professional organizations say.
Oversight
Travel policies temporarily loosened in Southern California
GSA revises per diem for food and housing, relaxes regulations on fuel. Wildfire response photo gallery
Defense
Workforce issues complicate planning for cyberattacks
The Homeland Security Department has had a hard time retaining cybersecurity officials, auditor testifies at House hearing.
Oversight
Judiciary panel moves Coast Guard reauthorization bill
Measure would allow more money for the troubled Deepwater modernization project, but would set stricter management requirements.
Pay & Benefits
Panelists suggest reducing reliance on political appointees
Replacing appointees with career employees would improve continuity and help address leadership and workforce challenges, officials say.
Defense
Conferees split over language on aerial refueling services
Official says Air Force supports running a study on leasing commercial services, provided there’s no pressure to act before the concept has been fully vetted.
Pay & Benefits
Consumer-Driven Care
The upcoming open season for federal benefits will feature more high-deductible health plan options. Are they right for you?
Defense
E-health problems in the military frustrate lawmakers
Defense and VA have ad hoc processes in place if there is an immediate need to provide data on the severely wounded, but those only cover small numbers of patients.
Defense
Budget office reports war costs could reach $2.4 trillion by 2017
Hearing witnesses and some lawmakers criticize the use of emergency supplementals rather than the normal budget process to pay for the wars.
Defense
Lawmaker chides Air Force for fixation on budget woes
Secretary and chief of staff spent much of a hearing on strategy expressing concern about budget shortfalls and restrictions on retiring the service’s oldest aircraft.
Defense
Officials admit they misjudged difficulty of virtual fence work
The Homeland Security Department program already has been delayed more than four months, prompting concern on Capitol Hill.
Defense
Army tests satellite communications in wildfire response
Last year, the service purchased 10 emergency response SUVs equipped with a wide range of communications systems.
Defense
Defense assists military members, civilians displaced by wildfires
Bases open up to evacuees while a Navy hospital provides temporary shelter and accepts patients from civilian facilities forced to close.
Oversight
Performance-based contracts found to be risky for industry
Research group says companies face higher bid and proposal costs and may have a harder time pleasing agencies.
Defense