Government Executive January 2004 Vol. 36, No.1

Under pressure from Congress, political leaders and independent examiners, managers are more focused on results than ever. More and more agencies are winning the right to set up their own systems to hear employee appeals of personnel actions. A relentless pursuit of revenues threatens to derail one of government's most entrepreneurial agencies. A little-known Agency for International Development SWAT team was on the ground in Iraq even before U.S. troops entered Baghdad. start departments Where feds turn to coffins, cocaine and endangered bats for lessons in homeland security. The White House hopes a new competitive sourcing quarterback can prevent another round of goal-line stands in Congress. Reverse auctions are alive and well, but the initial exuberance has ebbed. A weapons lockdown device, a deal-making general and a FOIA frenzy. Why federal employees shouldn't be able to appeal job competition decisions. Defense Department employees aren't just abusing their travel cards. Apparently they're flying first class for no good reason, too. - start COLUMNS =