Tech

Forum offers advice on innovating for government

To become defense contractors someday, small companies must be "viable, visible, capable and credible," executive says.

Management

Officials debate threshold for reporting payment errors

Discussions center on the definition of “significant” risk; officials urge legal changes to let agencies share payment information.

Management

OMB looks to boost use of interagency contracts

Survey indicates there may be nearly four times as many single-agency contract arrangements in use as there are interagency ones.

Defense

DHS allows more time for input on traveler screening program

Department will accept feedback for extra month in the “interest of transparency.”

Management

House Dems push EPA to postpone library closures

Plan to change how services are delivered requires time for scrutiny and public comment, congressional staffer says.

Management

Key Democrat criticizes Republicans for stalling on spending bills

Punting appropriations bills into next year could have repercussions even for action on President Bush’s fiscal 2008 budget.

Management

Mailers decry inaction on postal overhaul measure

Pending legislation would alter rate-setting procedures, but prospects for passage in the waning days of the lame-duck session are slim.

Defense

Arrests resulting from DHS investigations on the rise

Number of complaints received by the inspector general’s office has decreased significantly, however.

Tech

Funding may be a sticking point for FBI tech upgrade

Sentinel project to build a modern case management system could face a budget shortfall if appropriators don’t grant bureau’s request, auditors say.

Management

OMB chief: Administration won’t box in GOP legislators

Rob Portman will seek to find common ground with Democrats and Republicans in areas including the likely-to-be-tight 2008 budget.

Management

Senator accuses FDA nominee of withholding information

Candidate to lead the agency failed to cooperate with an investigation of the antibiotic Ketek, Sen. Charles Grassley says.

Management

Kerry pledges to overhaul SBA in chairman's role

Senator says other priorities include improving federal contracting opportunities for veterans, women and minorities.

Management

Congressional staff members gather tips on oversight

Groups are offering advice to help legislators make good on promises for more aggressive reviews of executive branch activities.

Defense

Investigators probe DHS manager's scheme to fake immigration papers

Immigration official admits to taking bribes from Asian immigrants seeking citizenship, agrees to participate in ongoing investigation.

Tech

GSA weighs placing policy office under congressional affairs

Employees told that the move would not substantially change the policy operation.

Management

IG: Defense broke buying rules with purchases through NASA

Nearly 90 percent of orders reviewed violated rules on competition, funding and record-keeping.

Defense

Hurricane season closes without major incident

FEMA director pledges continuing improvements; agency on the brink of filling all of its regional director positions.

Management

Program for disabled, blind, renamed to better reflect mission

Officials say new name for JWOD Program is unrelated to a recent fraud incident.

Defense

Security agency to eliminate millions in retention allowances

Decision to cut program will affect about 700 police and investigators at the Federal Protective Service.

Tech

Immigration services bureau loses thousands of records

As many as 30,000 citizenship applications may have been processed without the proper files, auditors conclude.