Defense
Drills test agencies’ ability to handle terrorist attack
TOPOFF 4 exercise designed to see how federal, state and local officials would handle detonation of weapons of mass destruction.
Tech
VA official defends memos restricting IT centralization
Department’s general counsel says he was limited to interpreting the current law and could not make a policy decision.
News
Senate appropriators approve spending allocations
Allocations shift $11.4 billion from defense and foreign aid to other programs, including education, health care and law enforcement.
Management
Army Corps employees win public-private competition for IT work
Award could still result in job loss, as the in-house proposal involves teaming with a contractor.
Defense
Panel backs bill aimed at regulating truck cargo
Bill would require people transporting security sensitive materials to undergo a fingerprint background check.
Tech
House panel OKs office to compensate vets for ID theft
Office would process claims of veterans who might have their identities stolen as a result of data breach last month.
Defense
Legislator says White House should have vetted security grants
DHS defends controversial decision to cut allocations for New York and Washington, emphasizing risk-driven approach.
Pay & Benefits
OPM orders bigger bonuses for better ratings
Proposed regulation marks another step toward governmentwide pay for performance.
Pay & Benefits
Pandemic Preparations
OPM reminds agencies of personnel flexibilities available to them if an outbreak hits.
News
Victims of VA data theft offered free credit services
Services will be available to 17.5 million veterans, and won’t detract from other services to veterans, department secretary says.
Defense
Mayors, lawmakers press for more urban security funds
House and Senate homeland security panel chairs will meet Thursday to find common ground on bill to overhaul grants formula.
Management
House committees probe Alaska Native contracting program
"Laziness" among contracting officers cited as problem, along with program design.
Defense
GAO advises against spending on F-22 fighter jets
Report says Air Force hasn’t met several conditions for a multiyear procurement, including an expectation of significant savings.
Tech
VA official opposes centralization of IT management
House panel is holding a hearing Thursday to probe the department’s technology management structure.
Defense
House passes $427.4 billion Defense spending bill
Measure contains 2.2 percent military pay raise, less than the 2.7 percent slated for civilian federal employees in a separate bill.
Defense
House blocks Pentagon labor relations system funding
Provision’s sponsors say they were responding to a February court ruling enjoining the system.
Defense