Management

Study recommends sweeping overhaul of Army Corps budgeting

Current ad hoc funding prevents planning and undermines disaster preparedness, panel finds.

Tech

House panel raises new allegations against GSA chief

Oversight and Government Reform Committee chairman says probe has uncovered evidence of improper political and contracting activity.

Defense

Lawmakers say TSA whistleblower rights provision goes too far

If language in a rail security bill is enacted, whistleblowers could gain an unfair advantage in cases alleging retaliation, panel members say.

Management

Officials say outsourcing partly to blame for Walter Reed failures

Public-private job competition was based on outdated, pre-9/11 workload estimates, September memorandum warned.

Defense

TSA head says collective bargaining would be costly

Kip Hawley estimates price tag for implementing bargaining rights would be $160 million.

Management

Report finds little progress processing FOIA requests

Justice Department contests findings, arguing it may take a while before improvements spurred by 2005 executive order are realized.

Management

CBO says budget won't quite balance by fiscal 2012

Office’s figure is about $70 billion lower than the White House's estimate of a $61 billion surplus at the end of the five-year budget window.

Management

Lawmakers weigh in on GAO unionization effort

Agency chief assures legislators that he respects the right of certain employees to organize.

Defense

Senators explore federal finances at sparsely attended hearing

Freshman Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., is stunned to learn that agencies regularly fail financial audits without serious consequences.

Defense

DHS lacks timetable for monitoring visitor departures

Exit tracking component of US VISIT “not ready for prime time yet,” program official says.

Management

Lawmaker urges higher pay, bonuses for acquisition workers

Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., says “all bets are off” regarding the administration’s management agenda in the next two years.

Management

Nuclear security employees to try pay-for-performance

More than 2,000 employees are slated to participate in a demonstration project at the National Nuclear Security Administration.

Tech

VA info security upgrade just getting started, auditors say

A decentralized, nonstandard IT system defies easy fixes, official tells lawmakers.

Tech

How HUD got off 'high-risk' list

Officials say information technology was central to improvements in rental housing assistance and single-family mortgage aid.

Defense

FEMA urged to improve grants management

Officials acknowledge the need to do better in this area, as well as in contracting; director points to progress in hiring.

Defense

Appropriations panel targets Bush border security plan

GAO official testifies that the terms of a contract for the major border project are vague and need adjustments; DHS official disagrees.

Management

Who’s the Boss?

Federal workers answer to the Constitution.

Management

Appropriators ask HUD to fix Gulf Coast funding glitch

Spokeswoman says the agency is ready to work with lawmakers to resolve the issue.

Management

White collar crime specialist discusses swell in ethics prosecutions

New rules could be on horizon for government contractors, former federal official says.

Tech

GSA works to restore contracting relationship with Pentagon

The agency is coordinating with the Defense comptroller to reinforce proper management of department funds, among other steps.