Oversight
Union to fight FDA plan to put jobs up for competition
Studies could lead to contracting out more than 300 "commercial" positions; agency has set up intranet site to inform employees about the process.
Defense
Lawmakers propose nuclear plant no-fly zones
Regulatory commission and Homeland Security officials say existing measures are sufficient.
Tech
New rules for patent reviews get mixed reception
Changes are aimed at making the examination process more efficient; Patent and Trademark Office has a backlog of more than a million pending applications.
Tech
Appropriations bills eye tech improvements at VA
Measures would provide about $1.9 billion for VA technology systems, with funding largely targeted toward electronic medical records.
Oversight
FAA administrator to head trade group when term expires
Marion Blakey will take over at the Aerospace Industries Association in November.
Defense
Watchdog urges Defense agency to better control interagency buys
Missile Defense Agency failed to properly manage interdepartmental purchase requests, IG finds.
Management
Dodging the Spear Phisher
Protecting government data hinges on training employees not to take the bait.
News
Union makes headway in case against labor relations official
FLRA regional director supports contested union consolidation, files complaint with administrative judge.
Oversight
Former OPM employees plead guilty to stealing $27,000
Accounting technicians face up to 10 years in prison for diverting government funds into personal accounts.
Tech
Chambers split over use of drones on the border
Senate boosts resources for buying and deploying unmanned aerial vehicles; House wants assurance drones are more effective than other options.
Oversight
Progress cited on NASA business systems modernization
Focusing on basics could help agency avoid problems with implementation and future upgrades, GAO reports.
Defense
OPM unveils technology to speed security clearance processing
If pilot is successful, all agencies could begin receiving background check files electronically by Oct. 1.
News
Pentagon to scrap controversial anti-terror database
Information on potential security threats to Defense facilities or personnel will go to the FBI until a new streamlined reporting system is established.
Oversight
A Tale of Two Winners
Mitt Romney’s first place finish and Mike Huckabee’s second place showing in the Iowa GOP presidential straw poll shouldn’t be discounted.
Defense
DHS aims to spur innovation in radiation detection
Office is asking universities to work on finding shielded material, detecting material at greater distances, miniaturizing detectors and improving analysis.
Oversight
FDA says consolidation remains suspended, not canceled
Reorganization plan in limbo pending review of information including recommendations from an import safety advisory panel.
News
FBI's budget chock-full of tech-related efforts
Spending bills would allot $2.3 billion to counter terrorism, foreign counterintelligence, and related security activities.
Defense
An eye toward a future with electronic passports
Chips could become fast and reliable enough to allow the electronic issuance of visas in five years.
Pay & Benefits
Officials to shore up TSP against transaction influxes
Recent stock market dips trigger officials to assess the retirement plan's capacity to handle increased activity.
Tech