Management
Food inspectors’ union rights reaffirmed
In first case of its kind, FLRA lets stand a decision to reinstate union representation stripped for national security reasons.
Management
Pentagon shifts focus to results in pay-for-performance system
After a self-imposed delay, department marginalizes initial “benchmarks” concept.
Defense
Investigators detail fraud, waste in FEMA disaster assistance
Agency is no better prepared today for a large-scale disaster than it was last summer, DHS inspector general says.
Management
Better training needed for emergency purchases, procurement chief says
Interagency contracts and procurement data will receive close scrutiny this year.
Defense
Pentagon shares some lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina
Faster damage assessments, unified command and control structure to coordinate multiple agencies’ efforts, are needed, Defense officials say.
Management
VA medical system earns high customer satisfaction ratings
Survey fails, however, to capture large number of veterans without access to care.
Management
Panel supports recommendations to fine-tune small business contracting policies
Advisory group will recommend against cascading procurements.
Management
McCain, others say time is right for new earmark rules
Lobbying scandals said to provide political window for crackdown on spending for legislators' pet projects.
Defense
Pentagon to finish personnel system tweaks Friday
Working group is nearly done simplifying performance management system.
Management
White House unveils list of programs slated for cuts
List of 141 programs facing termination or reduction hits hard at Education, Health and Human Services, and Agriculture departments.
Tech
HUD irks managers with bar on teleworking
Policy forbids employees with supervisory responsibilities from working away from the office; other agencies have less strict rules.
Management
Budget assumes agencies will collect unlikely amount in fees
Congress may prove reluctant to enact key fee hikes incorporated into the 2007 budget, leaving money even tighter than it appears.
Management
Report: Agencies making little progress in tracking real property
Inventory identifies $9 billion in unneeded buildings.
Management
Federal spending on conferences soars
Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., says agency expeditures on attending events have grown by about 70 percent in five years.
Defense
Iraq reconstruction funds may run out before projects finished
The less than $3 billion left is not enough to complete 87 water and 125 electric projects, inspector general says.
Management
Cosmic Downers
Astronaut's memoir reminds technology program managers that they can't ignore the human element.
Defense
DHS expects companies will have to verify workers’ immigration status
Department requests funding boost for Citizenship and Immigration Services in anticipation of new requirement.
Management
OMB touts progress at reducing improper payments
Agencies saved $7.8 billion in fiscal 2005 by reducing payment errors.
Defense