Tech
Treasury telecom procurement keeps bidders in suspense
Process of evaluating proposals – which were due Aug. 28 in the latest twist – is taking longer than expected.
Defense
Report: Improve measures to assess building security centers
The Federal Protective Service should find better ways to evaluate dispatch centers, such as tracking the time to respond to alarms, GAO says.
Defense
Defense begins issuing new identification cards
Upgrades to make cards compliant with presidential mandate are expected to boost efficiency, protect privacy and guard against identity theft.
Management
Chain Reaction
Systems thinking gets planners to consider the downstream effects of decisions.
Management
Outsourcing of tax debt collection may not pay off in short term
IRS projections show costs may outpace collections; GAO urges accounting changes to reflect contractor fees.
Tech
GSA changes strategy for identification card contracts
In an attempt to achieve more competitive pricing, GSA opens up its contract for end-to-end card services to its schedules program.
Tech
GSA not interested in contracting 'monopoly,' official says
But head of Federal Acquisition Service says agency should be only provider of some services, such as telecommunications and credit cards.
Tech
Panel: Performance-based contracting slow to get traction
Acquisition advisory committee found that 42 percent of contracts classified as performance-based weren’t.
Management
IG: Iraq contractor abused rules to limit release of data
Use of “proprietary” designation on documents not justified under bid and proposal rules, auditors say.
Defense
Drop in immigration arrests might nix need for more jail beds
DHS agency steps up immigration-related investigations of businesses.
Tech
Clearance applications not processed within target times
Average time for initial clearances granted in early 2006 was 446 days, GAO finds.
Management
Ex-procurement chief gets 18 months in prison
David Safavian's lawyer will argue for release on bond during appeal.
Tech
Federal employees begin receiving new ID cards
Presidential directive required agencies to distribute new high tech credentials to at least one worker by Friday.
Defense
Most countries meet e-passport deadline
New passports with biometric chips will help DHS officials detect fraudulent documents.
Management
Officials share strategies for complying with new financial management rules
Difficulties in meeting new requirements in an Office of Management and Budget circular may continue another two years.
Defense
TSA faces staffing disparities at airports
Initial administrative staffing plans "lacked coherency," leading to inconsistencies across airports, inspector general says.
Tech
Income limits spur drop in use of free tax filing software
Auditors say cap conflicts with e-government initiative's goal of boosting overall electronic filing.
Defense
Overhead reached 55 percent in some Iraq contracts
Review finds long idle periods racked up charges in construction projects.
Defense
Intelligence, homeland security agencies sharpen surveillance methods
Techniques under development include gait recognition and keystroke analyses of typing rhythms.
Management