Management

Bush names executive at Illinois firm to head SBA

Steven Preston is executive vice president of the $3.6 billion ServiceMaster Co.

Management

Rules of the Road

The IRS wants to modernize how it works along with the tools it uses.

Management

Iraq contractor admits to bribery and fraud

Inspector general’s office says more arrests to follow.

Defense

Head of visitor tracking program wants global ID system

Proposed system would require the cooperation of several Homeland Security agencies, including CBP, CIS and TSA.

Management

OMB touts savings potential of ‘best value’ contracting

Critics argue strategy is subjective and places further strain on limited in-house appeal rights.

Defense

Immigration enforcement agency seeks funding, staff boost

Plan is short on details about staffing levels and funding requirements necessary for specific enforcement initiatives.

Management

Reliance on supplemental funding draws bipartisan attack

Lawmakers say administration’s method of paying for wars and other emergency needs makes it difficult to account for the true costs.

Defense

FEMA acquisitions chief pushes recruiting program

Deidre Lee also backs calls for more contingency contracts to prepare in advance for disasters.

Management

Judge sets date to review Safavian, Abramoff e-mails

Lawyers will argue next week on admissibility of messages on a range of personal and business topics, from racquetball to contracting.

Management

Swank reception honors notable federal executives

Winners of Presidential Rank Award recognized for career achievements.

Management

Number of federal jobs opened to contractors to jump this year

Agencies plan to announce public-private competitions for more than 25,000 positions in fiscal 2006, OMB says.

Management

Mixed personnel systems can help uphold merit principles

Managers say having employees under traditional civil service rules blended with those in more flexible systems embeds a culture of merit.

Management

White House staff changes continue

Press secretary announces his resignation and Karl Rove gives up some of his responsibilities.

Defense

Intelligence director’s refusal to cooperate with GAO irks lawmakers

GAO report calls for less restriction of sensitive but unclassified data.

Management

Labor and State performance reports earn top ratings

Annual evaluations by policy institute measure quality of reports rather than performance outcomes.

Management

Birthday Wishes

At 70, the Federal Register really could use a makeover.

Management

Natural resources programs hit hard in push for fiscal austerity

Programs funded by the Interior-EPA spending bill are facing cuts for the second year in a row.

Defense

Acting FEMA chief backs suggestions for improved disaster response

R. David Paulison says, however, that fixes will take several years.

Management

Trade official nominated to be next OMB director

Bush urges Senate to move quickly to confirm Rob Portman as a replacement for Joshua Bolten.

Management

Bush pick for federal procurement chief praised

If confirmed, Paul Denett, a veteran contracting official, would fill a position vacant since September.