Defense
Telecom panel calls for more emergency preparedness funding
Advisory group approves report recommending more funding for R&D for enhancements to electric grids.
Tech
GSA struggles to keep up in tech sales
Agencies are moving to non-GSA contract vehicles to meet their IT needs, analysts find.
Management
OMB data shows low e-gov adoption and use rates
High percentage of agencies are participating in Bush administration's e-government initiatives.
Defense
Internal memo raises concerns about DHS funds transfer
Agency officials say agreement between two units to shift funds for detainee transport may have violated federal appropriations law.
Management
Bipartisan effort in House will target federal oil leases
Committee leaders want the Interior Department to force oil and gas companies to pay royalties lost through the omission of price thresholds for certain lease agreements.
Management
Government fails 10th consecutive audit
Five agencies, with $1.6 trillion in assets and costs on their balance sheets, denied a clean opinion.
Tech
OMB to release figures on e-gov acceptance, usage
Information will cover 18 of 25 projects; goal is to increase transparency, illustrate initiatives’ success.
Defense
Report: Biometric visitor tracking won't work at land exits
Implementation would be costly, require new infrastructure and lead to traffic backups.
Tech
DHS privacy office steps up scrutiny of technology projects
Critics say report to Congress covering two years of activity is short on details, seek commitment from recently arrived privacy chief.
Management
Anti-discrimination activists seek new federal workplace law
Activists say OPM regulations have subverted the intent of a 2002 law meant to stiffen penalties for discrimination.
Management
Yearlong funding measure won’t rely on current formula
Joint House-Senate group will set spending levels; agencies will likely have an opportunity to appeal for more money.
Defense
Coast Guard chief stresses importance of focusing on employees
Thad Allen cites plans for possible joint-duty requirements across Homeland Security agencies.
Management
Key senator urges Bush to use his sway on fiscal issues
A first step will be to institute "pay/go" requirements that new entitlement programs or tax cuts be offset, incoming budget panel leader says.
Defense
Bill creating HHS bioterror research agency on Bush’s desk
Measure would reduce the Homeland Security Department’s role in the event of a bioterror attack.
Tech
Proponent of IT centralization declares victory at the VA
Employees involved in application development will be sent to work under the CIO Monday, and permanently placed there in April.
Management
Speeding Up Acquisition Reform
Wartime urgency pulls back the red tape on accelerated projects.
Management
New House panel will oversee information policy
Watchdogs predict changes will place a higher priority on questions of access, classification and freedom of information.
Management
EPA officials defend library closures, tout benefits of digitization
Internal documents urge officials to move slowly in disposal of library materials; furniture sale in Chicago netted just $350.
Defense
IG urges Customs officials to better use intelligence
Procedures for dealing with high-risk cargo shipments need tweaking, investigators say.
Tech