Tech

Lawmakers question GSA chief’s plans for agency auditors

Legislators ask Administrator Lurita Doan to explain why she is trying to limit the work of GSA’s inspector general.

Defense

Senators supportive of Bush’s pick for DHS management chief

Nominee would face hurdles, including a department with “deep divisions between employees and management,” lawmakers note.

Management

VA health funding fix might help avert government shutdown

Current continuing resolution runs out Friday; House and Senate likely to pass another measure keeping agencies open until Feb. 15.

Defense

Bipartisan panel urges agencies to order civilians to Iraq

Agencies may have to rely on “directed assignments” to deal with shortfall in key personnel in the country, Iraq Study Group says.

Management

Update to GSA acquisition structure leaves questions

Reporting relationship between regional offices and agency's headquarters remains murky.

Tech

FBI seeks extra funding to avoid delays on tech upgrade

Bureau must come up with $157 million by February to enter contract for second stage of project.

Management

Pay-for-performance prospects dim, OMB official says

Management chief Clay Johnson says Democratic Congress unlikely to approve legislation tightening link between pay and performance ratings.

Management

Legislators make last-ditch push on postal bill

House Government Reform panel leaders are advancing a proposal they say has a chance of passage this week, but it’s unclear how the Senate will react.

Management

Treading in Gray Areas

Avoiding the appearance of a conflict of interest can be a high wire act.

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.