Management
Homeland Security gets help strengthening financial controls
PricewaterhouseCoopers wins contract worth up to $42 million to help address systemic accounting problems.
Management
Pentagon likely to appeal ruling blocking labor relations reforms
Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England says he anticipated decision overturning parts of the department’s new personnel system.
Defense
Senators demand classified briefing on ports deal
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff says he will be personally involved in new review of U.S. port operations sale.
Management
Court rules that IRS inappropriately outsourced mailroom work
Agency and union have 30 days to file proposals for a remedy.
Management
Judge overturns Defense labor relations reforms
Decision echoes August ruling in case involving challenge to Homeland Security system.
Management
GAO declines to hear protest of Walter Reed competitive sourcing decision
Agency official lacked standing to challenge job contests started prior to January 2005, decision states.
Pay & Benefits
Marine Corps awards contract to assist in personnel reforms
Contractor will help revise position descriptions and prepare workforce statistics.
Defense
GAO: Feds lack data on emergency response grants
Investment justifications now required for urban area security grants provide more information on state spending, official says.
Management
Growth in earmarks limits agencies’ flexibility
Increase has been driven by the budget-neutral practice of directing agencies where to spend money, without boosting funding.
Management
Panel backs enhanced oversight of interagency contracting
Preliminary recommendations direct OMB to provide oversight, but leave authority over the contracts with agencies.
Defense
Intelligence CIO seeks product certification overhaul
Process for validating new technologies should be standardized across agencies, Dale Meyerrose says.
Management
GSA launches review of acquisition rules
Goals include streamlining internal regulations, eliminating duplication with governmentwide rules and reducing burden on small firms.
Management
The Trust Factor
Employees who are kept out of the loop feel betrayed and become less productive.
Management
Investigators close complaint about EPA communications project
Research office director hails IG’s findings, and calls attempt to discredit the effort “anti-science” and “anti-government.”
Tech
Survey: Employees with dependent care duties are better off teleworking
Freedom to work from home improves the job performance and morale of employees with such responsibilities, study finds.
Defense
Overhaul of emergency management system urged
Democrats call for removal of FEMA from Homeland Security, but DHS secretary resists calls for restructuring.
Defense
Senators grill Homeland Security chief over Katrina response
Chertoff admits preparations before the storm were inadequate and says he got conflicting information about damage from the hurricane.
Management
OPM employees defeat contractors in latest job competition
Employee proposal would save $700,000 over current operations.
Defense