Defense

Lawmaker unveils bill to overhaul flood insurance program

The 38-year-old program suffered massive losses in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Management

Chief of the Smithsonian resigns

Departure comes amid controversy over unauthorized spending on items such as private jet travel.

Tech

Audit: Emergency communications project imperiled

Uncertain funding mechanisms and a poor governing structure are among the problems jeopardizing the effort to create a wireless network for first responders.

Defense

Lack of detention space hinders efforts to track fugitive immigrants

Inspector general recommends more resources, notes number of fugitives rose nearly 88 percent from 2001 to 2006.

Management

Feds report job and pay satisfaction

Majority of survey respondents see benefits to pay for performance systems, but many are not confident of successful implementation.

Management

Ex-Interior official pleads guilty for obstruction of justice

Under agreement, prosecutors will propose a maximum 10-month sentence for former No. 2 official at the department.

Management

Lawmaker asks IRS to suspend hiring debt collection contractors

Leader of Ways and Means panel notes IRS opted against renewing one of three contracts it awarded last year.

Management

NASA is shirking its educational duties, union says

Labor group asks appropriators to give space agency about $1 billion more than President Bush proposed for fiscal 2008.

Defense

Merit board seeks summary judgment powers

Top official sees heavier caseload ahead with retirements, tight budgets, pay for performance and potential expansion of whistleblower rights.

Defense

CBP prepares to expand expedited import tracking

Project aims to replace a long-used paper system for processing commercial imports with electronic processing.

Management

Jury still out on Democratic oversight efforts

Quality oversight can bring about meaningful changes to program performance, but oversight can also be a political tool.

Tech

Transportation orders hold on Microsoft upgrades

Department cites cost and compatibility issues in decision to hold off on updates.

Management

Lawmaker renews push to improve management training

Bill would require refreshers every three years on how to evaluate employees and develop performance expectations.

Management

Lawmakers unveil bill to establish public service academy

Measure would help attract young people into government as agencies face retirement wave, sponsors say.

Tech

GSA chief says huge telecom contract to be awarded soon

Lurita Doan says announcement of multi-billion-dollar Networx award will come in "next few days."

Defense

Reconstruction IG urges interagency coordination

Lessons learned report urges better integration of Defense, State and U.S. Agency for International Development, and supports creation of civilian reserve corps.

Defense

DHS privacy czar seeks additional investigators

Office also wants to hire more employees to handle FOIA requests.

Management

House panel backs military health bill banning privatization

Measure is aimed at improving quality of care for wounded service members.

Tech

NASA to unveil tech contract with new name, fee structure

New contracts to launch within days; already low base fee will drop more, but will apply even to small orders.

Management

Long-awaited women’s contracting program may launch soon

Implementation has been slow because SBA wants to make sure guidelines are legally sound, agency official says.