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
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.
Management
NTEU claims victory in large DHS union election
AFGE files a dispute claiming favoritism by management to skew the election.
Defense
Navy contractor arrested for alleged computer system sabotage
Contractor admits malicious program was motivated by anger at losing a bid.
Defense
DHS collective bargaining loss likely to affect Pentagon’s similar plan
Congressmen from both sides of the aisle ask DHS to return to the table with the unions.
Tech
House member weighing legislation in response to VA data breach
Possibilities include changes to information security law and linking compliance with IT policies to performance reviews.
Defense