Tech
DHS official emphasizes importance of interoperable communications
Department also working to make process of awarding grants to states and localities more transparent.
Tech
Tech groups divided over border-crossing cards
Differences hinge on distance from which IDs could be read, flexibility of technology.
News
Bush returns from Crawford, schedules a busy week
Plans include meetings at Defense and State departments, and the National Counterterrorism Center.
Defense
GAO finds increase in wrongdoing by military recruiters
Incidents ranged from paperwork errors to serious allegations, such as sexual harassment and falsifying documents.
Management
SBA: Federal Prison Industries not small for services
Area office ruled FPI ineligible for service contracts set aside for small companies.
Pay & Benefits
OPM announces cost-of-living changes
Employees in Alaska, Puerto Rico protest comparison to Washington, D.C., to arrive at changes in salary supplements.
Tech
VA aims to encrypt laptops within a month
Department awards a $3.7 million contract to encrypt about 300,000 computer devices.
News
Ex-Interior employee pleads guilty for failure to report Abramoff gifts
Gifts included four tickets to a Washington Redskins game and two to a Simon and Garfunkel concert.
Management
Investigators sought former Head Start chief’s prosecution
Ex-official accused of misusing grant money while overseeing a Head Start program in Texas; U.S. attorney’s office declined to prosecute.
Defense
Court declines document review request in surveillance case
ACLU had asked the court to make sure the government is not redacting too much information.
Management
Industry groups oppose acquisition panel recommendations
Advisory panel is near the end of its charter and may run out of time for debate on new criticism.
Defense
Democrats say TSA lacks adequate screening technology
Congress has increased funding in recent years for improving explosives detection technology.
Defense
Arbitrator to weigh charge that CBP unfairly denied bonuses
Immigration employees say they have been prevented from taking language proficiency test that could have earned them extra money.
Defense
DHS will not seek full appeals court review of labor decision
Department is still weighing whether to ask the Supreme Court to overturn decision rejecting key elements of its new personnel system.
Management
Agencies tailor use of management fellowship program
Chief human capital officers partner with program’s administrators to identify critical needs.
Pay & Benefits