Defense

Fate of Treasury contracting shop remains in limbo

Contractors and customers express concern over service continuity; Army medical centers among FedSource customers.

Management

Walking the Talk

Getting first responders on the same wavelength requires more than just new technology.

Management

NASA chief asks lawmakers for more workforce flexibilities

Agency would like to be able to offer permanent employees incentives to switch to temporary status.

Tech

Management of tax fraud detection system improves

Regular meetings with stakeholders and contractors help ensure tasks are on schedule and risks are addressed, IG finds.

Defense

Lawmaker seeks to set up Defense-industry procurement board

Panel would find ways to identify critical shortfalls in military equipment and streamline the purchase of needed gear.

Management

Dems support expansion of GAO, but question affordability

Head of the audit agency says budget boost would help with heavier workload and allow projects beyond issuing reports.

Management

Reported drop in free tax e-filings revives criticisms

Though participation in program is decreasing, the IRS reports that complaints are down to one per every 2,193 returns.

Management

Union leader advocates more resources for IRS, better use

Agency budget contains legislative proposals aimed at taking a $29 billion bite into the tax gap over 10 years.

Management

Lawmakers aim to settle on budget blueprint soon

House and Senate are close on discretionary spending, with a likely outcome to be overall spending in the $20 billion range above the White House request.

Tech

Senator probes NASA software procurement

Failure to re-bid a $5.2 million contract has a high-ranking finance panel member questioning the agency's acquisition practices.

Management

TSP board awards contract for forms processing

In a $16 million deal, SI International will help process paper transactions faster.

Management

Industry fights measure to bar contractors for immigration violations

Senate-passed spending bill contains language that would penalize contractors breaking immigration laws for up to 10 years.

Management

Intelligence agency employees praise 'performance culture'

But survey shows intelligence community is “still not good enough” in dealing with poor performers.

Management

Diplomatic, intelligence agencies win praise for recruiting

In a speech at the Excellence in Government conference, Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte expresses optimism about the future leadership of security agencies.

Tech

GSA organization, labor unions resolve differences

Union members at new Federal Acquisition Service will be protected in terms of transfers, evaluations and position descriptions; training also included.

Management

Bush sidesteps Congress to appoint labor relations, regulatory nominees

Recess appointment brings a Democrat to three-person board adjudicating disputes between unions and agencies.

Tech

Intelligence chief pushes security clearance reform

Adopting private sector methods could save the government time and money, National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell says at Excellence in Government conference.

Management

OMB readies new guidance on measuring job competition savings

Agency official says public-private competitions in 2006 are expected to generate $800 million in savings over five years.

Tech

Backlog of requests for public information growing

Median response times at agencies range from less than 10 days to more than 100, auditors find.

Management

The Success of Failure

There’s a reason people keep making the same mistakes.