Defense
DHS to speed contractors' exemptions from lawsuits
Applications for products already in use, or involved in an ongoing procurement, have better odds of getting to the front of the line.
Defense
Punishments stemming from IG probes on the rise
Suspensions and debarments of contractors nearly doubled in 2005, but savings from inspectors’ recommendations fell by 6.7 percent.
Management
Turning Ideas Into Action
If a call for change comes from the ranks, does it really make a sound?
Defense
Legislator pushes public-private partnership for bomb detection tech
Machines sampling vapors for traces of explosives could find liquid devices, private sector experts say.
Tech
IRS to beef up monitoring of employee e-mails
Nearly three quarters of mailboxes reviewed contained inappropriate messages.
Management
SBA: Federal Prison Industries not small for services
Area office ruled FPI ineligible for service contracts set aside for small companies.
Tech
VA aims to encrypt laptops within a month
Department awards a $3.7 million contract to encrypt about 300,000 computer devices.
Management
Investigators sought former Head Start chief’s prosecution
Ex-official accused of misusing grant money while overseeing a Head Start program in Texas; U.S. attorney’s office declined to prosecute.
Management
Industry groups oppose acquisition panel recommendations
Advisory panel is near the end of its charter and may run out of time for debate on new criticism.
Defense
Arbitrator to weigh charge that CBP unfairly denied bonuses
Immigration employees say they have been prevented from taking language proficiency test that could have earned them extra money.
Defense
DHS will not seek full appeals court review of labor decision
Department is still weighing whether to ask the Supreme Court to overturn decision rejecting key elements of its new personnel system.
Management
Agencies tailor use of management fellowship program
Chief human capital officers partner with program’s administrators to identify critical needs.
Defense
Contractor says tests will show cargo screening effectiveness
Current radiation portal monitors have been criticized for failure to distinguish innocuous materials that emit radiation from actual threats.
Defense
Competition levels in interagency contracting are murky
Advisory group says OMB should consider adding detail to contracting database.
Defense
DHS agencies quick to react to new terror threat
Airport security becomes a multiagency task; TSA implements new rules prohibiting most liquids in carry-on luggage.
Defense
Lieberman submits signatures for independent run
Connecticut senator is the ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
Management
Retirement-eligible acquisition workers to triple in 10 years
Acquisition institute report presents data, but leaves conclusions to agencies.
Tech
OMB asks agencies to identify e-gov costs, savings
Cost estimates for existing IT initiatives are due by Sept. 30, and regular updates on savings eventually will be required.
Defense
Auditors to look into Federal Protective Service finances
Memorandum announcing the hiring of consultant to audit cash-strapped agency comes shortly after lawmakers rejected request to transfer funds.
Management