Defense

DHS pledges to update purchase card regulations

Big-screen TV, dog booties and meals-ready-to-eat bought with purchase cards still languish on shelves.

Tech

VA’s top lawyer resigns

General counsel’s memorandums on attempts to centralize authority over IT security had engendered criticism.

Tech

OPM prepares legislation allowing agencies to require telework

Employees and managers are responsible for securing information and property when working offsite, official says.

Management

Paperwork burden up by by 441 million hours last year

Medicare prescription drug program accounted for largest increase.

Management

More Than a Slogan

The right mission statement can move employees to take their task to heart.

Tech

VA panel to move data breach bill

Measure contains notification requirements and language on credit-monitoring services.

Tech

GSA financial situation worse than predicted

Internal documents show the Federal Technology Service was $104 million in the hole as of June 30.

Management

Labor-HHS spending bill likely to wait until at least September

Primary obstacle has been minimum wage increase; education and health funding levels also have prompted criticism.

Defense

DHS seeks shift in funds to cover Federal Protective Service shortfall

Gap attributed to late payments from client agencies, lack of staff, and financial mismanagement.

Tech

OMB publishes online catalog of IT guidelines

Catalog consolidates cross-agency information on technology policy in one spot.

Management

Postal reform bill talks stall over labor costs

White House advisers pushing for a final bill requiring all labor negotiations to go through the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

Defense

Funding shortfalls jeopardize Army operations, chief says

Thousands of pieces of Army equipment pile up because there’s no money for repairs.

Defense

Report faults Weather Service training efforts

Agency also lacks metrics to assess pilot project aimed at restructuring forecast operations, GAO finds.

Management

A-76 veteran offers tips on what to do when employees win

Annual post-competition accountability reviews are important regardless of whether contractors or agency teams win, official says.

Tech

Departing DHS privacy officer says she had support from top

Maureen Cooney, a career official who held the job on an acting basis, had previously signaled she would leave government after a 20-year career.

Defense

Panel agrees OMB needs official dedicated to acquisition workforce

Knotty questions on funding for training, contractor roles and commercial practices remain ahead as panel wraps up work.

Tech

OMB steps up data security reporting requirements

Agencies now must report suspected, as well as confirmed, incidents that put personal information at risk.

Management

EEOC extends customer service center pilot project

Lawmakers had requested that the commission put off a vote on whether to make the center permanent, pending further review.

Management

Protest filed over Army Corps decision to keep IT work in-house

Challenge relates to alleged flaws in the selection process; decision expected in early August.

Management

Lawmaker proposes panel to study employee appeals backlog

Managers’ groups support idea but unions say commission would be stacked with political appointees.