Management
Small business panel votes to retool disaster relief programs
Measure calls for a comprehensive response plan and charges the SBA administrator with conducting annual simulations.
Defense
Whistleblower legislation faces veto threat
Bill would boost protections for employees in security and science agencies from retaliation for disclosing mismanagement.
Management
Agency tries to get word out against political e-mails
Recent cases could help educate federal employees on activities prohibited under the Hatch Act.
Management
House passes contracting reform bill
Focus on noncompetitive arrangements and audit disclosures differs from that of a Senate contracting measure.
Management
Union, GSA at odds over personnel policies after merger
Union blames stalled discussions partly on agency using a contractor to represent it.
Defense
DHS tech chief wants broadband for first responders
Access to high-speed networks would enable responders to receive federal broadcasts and warnings.
Management
House passes FOIA bill over White House protests
Administration stops short of a veto threat, but says the measure would impose administrative and financial burdens on agencies.
Defense
Coast Guard cancels patrol boat contract
Agency will be more involved in managing the program, and will solicit new bids for design and development work.
Defense
Academics urge Congress to go beyond acquisition panel proposals
Researchers characterize recommendations as careful, say bid protests and other accountability measures should apply to all purchases.
Tech
HUD leads way in massive IT consolidation effort
Most of the department’s computer system infrastructure has been outsourced; costs have fallen 20 percent.
Management
DHS to move ahead with parts of personnel overhaul
Department will institute aspects of the reforms not ruled illegal, including those involving adverse personnel actions.
Defense
Lawmaker probes contract oversight at DHS agency
Letters to key Homeland Security officials ask for more detail on the budget challenges facing the Federal Protective Service.
Defense
OMB: Benefits of 2006 regulations outweigh costs
Agency reports $44.8 billion in annual benefits, mostly from new air quality limits on soot.
Defense
Committee approves modified contracting reform bill
Panels still are negotiating over language that would expand the number of procurement officials subject to stringent post-employment restrictions.
Tech
House to vote on FOIA overhaul legislation
Bills reach the floor amidst a series of reports criticizing agency responses to public requests for information.
Defense
Dems remove Iran language from bill to boost war funding
House plan includes a lot of add-ons for domestic priorities, and incorporates major contracting reform legislation.
Management
Army medical commander retires over Walter Reed fiasco
Kevin Kiley is the latest casualty; Army convenes board to select new surgeon general.
Tech
Earmarks data now set to go online in phases
Initial installment will include aggregate data on the number and cost of earmarks down to the agency and account level.
Defense