Management

Public service academy proposal gains lawmakers’ ears

The free four-year undergraduate education would require a five-year service commitment.

Defense

Defense business agency gets Iraq contracting assignment

Business Transformation Agency will head up effort to improve policies and procedures for rebuilding Iraq.

Defense

Contractor’s rise shows blurred government, industry lines

Despite several failed projects, Science Applications International Corp. has grown into one of the top federal contractors.

Defense

Lawmakers seek details on DHS plans for detainee surge

Possibility of using cruise ships to hold illegal immigrants raises concerns about expense and waste, the legislators say.

Management

Defense Department seeks input on military mail overhaul

Push for transformational, end-to-end solution could result in public-private job competition.

Tech

Feds displaced by flooding offered use of telework centers

Month-long closure of IRS headquarters prompts GSA to open its 14 telework centers to affected employees at no charge.

Defense

House Democrats seek more money for rail, mass transit security

Citing Homeland Security Committee report, lawmakers assail Bush administration priorities.

Defense

House loosens claims policy for debt-ridden flood program

Congress already has allowed FEMA to borrow $20.8 billion from the Treasury to pay claims from hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Defense

Defense contractors gear up to fight foreign metals ban

Industry groups want to ensure that the conference version of the defense authorization bill does not alter the status quo.

Management

House agrees to provision limiting competitive sourcing

After three years of House passage but defeat later in the legislative process, language’s chances of enactment are unclear.

Tech

House steps up telework requirements at several agencies

Agencies would face financial penalties if they fail to increase the number of employees eligible to work away from the office.

Management

Keeping Up With Procurement

By any count, government has too few acquisition pros.

Management

New Smithsonian inspector general to report to board

Previous IG resigned earlier this month in the midst of an investigation into Smithsonian salaries, expenses and business ventures.

Management

Defense IG to release reports on interagency contracting problems

Reports also will detail Anti-Deficiency Act violations; acquisition panel calls regulatory framework sufficient to handle “bad apples.”

Tech

VA info security chief says he had impossible task

Pedro Cadenas, who abruptly resigned his post, says in more than three years on job, he lacked authority to make substantive changes.

Defense

Bid to keep FEMA within DHS gains momentum

White House has opposed the idea of FEMA’s removal from the department.

Management

Panel finds performance-based contracts implemented poorly

Forty percent were wrongly counted toward OMB quota.

Management

Senate approves Wall Street executive as new Treasury chief

Henry Paulson has pledged to trim the budget deficit and push China to reform its currency policy.

Defense

Coast Guard authorization bill sails through House panel

Bill would allow service to be on a path to modernization in 15, rather than 25, years.

Defense

Program to verify workers’ immigration status shows promise

Lawmaker concerned that the program could provide inaccurate results once it is expanded to more employers.