Management

Task force recommends measures to improve DHS culture

Union criticizes report for failing to capture the views of employees who carry out the department’s mission.

Management

CBO head keeps close counsel in assessing Bush budget

Democrats have been turning up the heat on the Bush administration for its allegedly too-rosy economic outlook.

Management

Former biotech executive takes Social Security helm

New commissioner pledges to leave privatization debate to others.

Management

White House pledges to push job competitions

In fiscal 2008 budget proposal, officials reiterate support for putting commercial activities up for bid from private firms.

Tech

VA loses sensitive information on 1.3 million doctors

Latest computer hard drive to go missing held data on physicians who have billed Medicaid and Medicare.

Defense

FEMA on hiring binge to fill out staff

Officials hope to find as many as 50 employees at a job fair Thursday; many of the available positions are in contracting.

Management

NOAA request seeks increased funds for Bush ocean plan

Administration's request of $3.8 billion is 3.7 percent more than what the president requested for the agency in fiscal 2007.

Management

Budget slates education, health programs for hefty cutbacks

Housing programs also hard-hit on list of 141 initiatives recommended for elimination or sharp reductions.

Defense

GAO: More information going into urban security grant decisions

Applicants must provide more details on the reason for their requests; more intelligence reports are being considered.

Tech

Officials probe latest VA data breach

Department's budget request reflects focus on information security.

Management

Senate judiciary panel revises rule for U.S. attorneys

Plan restricts the authority of the U.S. attorney general from filling prosecutor vacancies for an unlimited time without Senate confirmation.

Defense

Lawmakers criticize handling of DHS contracts

Members of House panel explore ballooning costs of Coast Guard modernization project and oversight issues with border initiative.

Defense

Officials admit private security firm was hired under Iraq logistics contract

Lawmakers question visibility of tiered subcontracting; Republicans assail hearing as inappropriate.

Tech

GSA takes lead in effort to develop IT performance standards

Contractor will help agency create metrics for desktop management, data collection and data networks.

Tech

New IT spending aimed partly at cybersecurity

OMB plans to track agencies' progress with the color-coded scorecards that have become a trademark of the President's Management Agenda.

Tech

Tight budget pinches several agencies' IT spending requests

Several agencies received hefty proposed increases in President Bush's budget, but many aren’t slated for gains.

Defense

Federal Protective Service may cut hundreds of jobs

Positions, including immigration enforcement agent slots, could open up elsewhere within Homeland Security Department.

Management

Guarding Turf

As Defense secretary, will Robert Gates put the CIA back on track?

Tech

Budget would sustain GSA auditors' role in pre-award contract reviews

The inspector general would be expected to work with agency officials to find “alternative methods” for completing the reviews.

Tech

OPM launches online management competency tool

The system would allow managers to conduct a self-assessment to determine strengths and areas for improvement.