Management
GAO settles pay dispute with 12 of 308 senior analysts
Counsel finds data and calculations used to conduct the employees' performance evaluations were flawed.
Management
Labor secretary grilled over 2008 budget
Appropriator also takes department to task for awarding too many non-competitive contracts.
Defense
OMB requires new acquisition certification for managers
Under three-tier system, program and project managers will get training and certification for procurement-related work.
Management
IG says GSA chief may have broken ethics, contracting rules
Investigators find Lurita Doan committed the agency to an inappropriate no-bid contract that had to be ended “for convenience.”
Management
Panel backs stronger oversight of Coast Guard fleet upgrade
Bill would effectively end contractor self-certification, which limited the agency's direct control over quality and standards.
Defense
Measure to fight war profiteering moves to full Senate
Bill would impose prison sentences and fines on those found to have knowingly defrauded or overcharged the government.
Management
Lawmaker threatens to trim FDA managers’ salaries
Appropriator says cuts will come if the agency fails to follow advice on improving food plant inspections, enforcement and performance standards.
Defense
Lawmakers hear flurry of reasons for failure in Iraqi police training
Lack of training in civil subjects, stresses on staffing and poor contract oversight blamed for setbacks.
Defense
Bill would keep Defense labs out of new personnel system
Pay-for-performance demonstration projects are working, so there’s no need to move employees to the National Security Personnel System, sponsor says.
Management
Panel backs measure to curb contract bundling
Bill also would increase goal for federal contract dollars going to small firms, from 23 percent to 30 percent.
Management
Science agencies' media policy draws fire
Policy prevents scientists at two agencies from making personal statements in interviews on federal property or during work hours.
Management
GOP lawmaker concerned about Justice staff departures
The firings of eight federal prosecutors last year will make it hard to attract top candidates to fill vacancies, senator says.
Defense
Auditors raise more questions about FEMA trailer contracts
Work was awarded to companies with poor finances and unrealistic pricing, IG finds.
Defense
Defense procurement chief backs interagency contracts
Top acquisition official says department is looking both inside and out to meet its acquisition needs.
Management
Appropriator open to keeping 2008 bills earmark-free
Full elimination of pet projects still under discussion; idea has prompted concern.
Defense
Forward Observer: Quagmire Costs
Taxpayers are paying more and getting less for their money because of the Pentagon's failure to hold down the costs of new weapons.
Management
NIH officials say Bush budget threatens staff, research
Officials say they're already losing young scientists and cutting back on crucial research efforts.
Management
Bill would bar tax delinquents from federal contracting
OMB opposes measure, saying it would short-circuit suspension and debarment rules.
Defense