Management
GSA set to implement merger of acquisition offices
Official says agency has dropped unpopular Get It Right program, which was aimed at curbing contracting abuses.
Tech
OMB publishes high-risk list for IT despite misgivings
List is intended to raise the visibility of crucial information technology projects.
Management
Committee leader cancels vote on contentious EPA nominee
Critics question nominee’s efforts to exempt the military from environmental regulations, and involvement with anti-regulatory groups.
Defense
Pentagon may seek an extension of labor relations deadline
Lengthy regulation development process, and delays caused by court case, may mean more time is needed, deputy secretary says.
Tech
Panels suggest new approach to IT consolidation
Task forces recommend adoption of uniform standards, rather than moves to shared services centers.
Defense
DHS aims to keep more about security clearance applications secret
Proposed exemption from Privacy Act cites potential threats to national security.
Management
NIH bill would establish electronic research tracking system
New “common fund” would target studies cutting across institutes.
Management
One Small Step for Managers
Little fixes can make a big difference in public satisfaction with government services.
Management
Union wins back pay for former IRS mailroom workers
Settlement represents a rare case in which an agency has been forced to issue payouts as a result of a lawsuit related to contracting out.
Defense
Panelists: Threat advisory system too focused on air travel
Warning in response to August plot to bomb planes should have extended to other types of transportation, analyst says.
Tech
DHS names cybersecurity czar
Gregory Garcia will be responsible for coordinating the government’s IT security policies.
Management
Senator says he wants to probe per diem rates
Concern that feds may be pocketing excess per diem dollars spurs legislator’s interest in review.
Management
Panel supports inspector general pay revisions
Special committee weighs options for updating the law governing IG operations.
Management
Senior execs pan performance pay system
Half of respondents to a survey said their agencies are using quota systems to distribute ratings, despite a prohibition.
Defense
Customs bureau merges trade activities into new office
Reorganization is aimed at better use of existing resources; will not result in additional trade inspectors.
Management
House passes earmark disclosure rule by comfortable margin
Of the 24 Republicans who voted against the rules change, 22 were appropriators.
Tech
Missing computer containing sensitive VA data recovered
Federal officials do not think thief was targeting the data, but are checking to make sure no information was compromised.
Tech
Finance center to shift data from New Orleans to Denver
Risk of hurricanes prompts permanent relocation of hardware that helps process pay checks for more than 500,000 federal employees.
Management
Interior official defends agency's oil lease management
Department disagrees with IG’s “broad brush characterization” of royalties collection problems, deputy secretary says.
Management