Management

Rule would require contractors to report tax debts

Unpaid taxes would be grounds for suspension or debarment if rule becomes law.

Tech

New telework bill introduced in Senate

Federal employees automatically would be eligible to work away from the office if the measure makes it into law.

Tech

New NASA tech contracts are a boon for small firms

Awards went to 23 small companies, almost a quarter of which are owned by service disabled veterans.

Management

Audit finds few problems with IRS outsourcing program

Lawmakers push to cancel program; updated program revenues might not be available before more contracts are signed.

Management

Experts divided on GSA chief’s potential Hatch Act violations

Determination could hinge on details of what was said at a Jan. 26 meeting and the intent of the meeting.

Defense

Senate panel moves bill creating reconstruction reserve corps

Corps would be made up of 250 active-duty personnel and 2,000 standby personnel, with most employees coming from the State Department and USAID.

Management

Divided House approves $2.9 trillion spending blueprint

Members reject GOP alternative calling for $279 billion in spending cuts over five years and a freeze in nondefense discretionary spending.

Management

Interior seeks to settle Indian trust fund disputes for $7 billion

Litigants say proposal is unacceptable, object to the bundling of a class action suit with tribal cases.

Management

Dems expand probe of political presentations at agencies

House oversight committee chairman wants details on White House policies, list of briefings.

Defense

Panel may hold hearings on emergency wireless project

Agencies are reconsidering the viability of program to provide a communications network for first responders.

Tech

GSA awards three companies Networx telecom contracts

Sprint, which provides 30 percent of current telecommunications services, left out of massive procurement.

Tech

GSA chief grilled over potential Hatch Act violations

Lurita Doan tells lawmakers she can't remember details of Jan. 26 meeting at a GSA facility during which political issues were discussed.

Management

House panel votes to repeal DHS personnel overhaul

Move comes weeks after department announced its intentions to move ahead with portions of the new system.

Management

Auditors question GSA's telecom transition cost estimates

Government Accountability Office says agency may have set aside too much for move to massive Networx agreement.

Defense

Senator weighs need for more long-range transport planes

Hawaii Democrat sees the benefit of a larger fleet, but doesn’t want it to come at the expense of domestic programs.

Management

Lawmakers urge EPA inspector to hold off on staff cuts

Several House members say the move, prompted by projected budget reductions, is premature.

Management

Sticking Around

Retirement surge and empty pipeline fears mostly are unfounded.

Management

IRS chief says 2006 tax season taxing the agency

Late changes in the law and other factors conspired to place this season among the most difficult in memory, commissioner says.

Tech

GSA chief to go on offensive at House hearing

Key GOP panel member says allegations against Lurita Doan will not stand up to scrutiny.

Defense

NTEU to represent 1,400 federal airport screeners

Union hopes to expand representation of TSA employees, as rival labor organization notes it has been active in the agency for five years.