Management

GAO issues recommendations for improving purchase card program

Veteran’s Health Administration must tighten internal controls, auditors say.

Management

Bush's best-laid budget plans go awry

George W. Bush promised balanced federal budgets and a smaller government. How times have changed.

Management

Move to cancel border security contract hotly debated in House

Opponents argue that nixing Accenture's contract would delay securing the nation's borders for two years and cost the jobs of 330,000 U.S. workers.

Management

White House criticizes language in Interior appropriations bill

Administration has qualms about competitive sourcing and e-government provisions in an early version of the bill.

Management

Defense tightens reins on outside contracts

New procedures will ensure compliance with federal regulations, after misuse reports.

Defense

House chair calls for single anti-money laundering agency

Rep. Sue Kelly, R-N.Y., laments "vast expanse of bureaucracies" that are currently responsible for seeking to cut off terrorist financing.

Defense

GOP blocks war-profiteering amendment

Measure would have created new penalties -- including up to 20 years in jail -- for contractors convicted of overcharging.

Management

Commission suggests elevating NASA to Cabinet status

Overhaul recommendations include turning space agency’s field centers into research facilities.

Management

House spending bills will be rolled into one omnibus

Senate negotiators are still attempting to forge a consensus on the fiscal 2005 budget resolution.

Management

Hail Bureaucracy

Sticklers for the rules get no recognition for promoting government integrity.

Management

Two union-backed outsourcing measures added to Senate Defense bill

New rights for civil servants to challenge outsourcing decisions could get stripped out in conference.

Management

FAA says it must hire, train air traffic controllers before retirement wave

Witnesses, legislators express concern over “looming danger,” await FAA report in December.

Tech

Legislation would make security key in federal IT purchases

The measure would give OMB greater strength in setting budget guidelines.

Defense

Defense spending bill delayed, omnibus considered

Almost 200 amendments remain pending to the defense authorization bill.

Defense

Senate votes to require Pentagon oversight of Iraq contracts

Amendment would halt the practice of outsourcing management of major reconstruction and security contracts.

Management

Justices limit courts' role in forcing agencies to act

Ruling stops effort to force Bureau of Land Management to move more aggresively to protect western lands from off-road vehicles.

Management

Forest Service makes fresh beginning on job competition effort

OMB agrees to let agency off the hook on monitoring the results of dozens of small contests.

Management

Budget deal still under negotiation; homeland spending bill moves forward

Conservatives balk at a proposed Senate rule change in fiscal 2005 budget legislation to reinstate "pay/go" offset requirements for three or five years.

Management

OPM pushes on-the-spot hiring

But one expert on the subject says direct hiring authority should be used only in limited situations.