Defense
ICE cited for improper award of small business set-aside contract
Use of a large subcontractor made company ineligible for detention officer and transportation services work, GAO says.
Defense
New immigration enforcement chief gets mixed reception
Critics say Julie Myers lacks experience, while supporters say she has built relationships that will serve her well.
Defense
Homeland Security seeks proposals for border technology
Bureau on hunt for mobile detection devices to assist border patrol officers.
Management
SBA: Small business contracting picture improving
Advocacy office says federal agencies are awarding an increasing amount of contract dollars to small firms.
Tech
Foreign Service Institute to join online training program
Overseas orientation and language courses will be among those available to the foreign affairs community.
Defense
Congress follows executive branch lead on 2006 spending cuts
Final appropriations bills incorporate more of President Bush’s proposed program cuts than last year.
Management
Senate approves limited VA job competitions
Legislation would allow some public-private competitions, but prevent full resumption of effort to put federal jobs up for bid.
Pay & Benefits
Pentagon postpones training on personnel system
Managers can continue to work on “soft skills” while department reevaluates details of human resources reforms.
Management
Defense spending bill renews job competition restrictions
Annual appropriations measure again includes prohibition against private firms gaining cost advantage by offering reduced health benefits.
Defense
Auditors doubt immigration agency will meet goal for eliminating backlog
Citizenship and Immigration Services has relied on temporary staff and overtime to cut mountain of applications.
Defense
Hurricane response shows gaps in public-private coordination
After Katrina, corporate officials and federal employees relied on personal connections, fortunate coincidences to join forces.
Defense
University of California keeps contract to manage Los Alamos
New contract worth $512 million over seven years seeks to draw on experience of big corporate players.
Management
Air Force contracts out training for new personnel system
Training will focus on teaching supervisors creative ways to evaluate and negotiate with employees.
Defense
Audit of controversial TSA contract due out next month
Homeland Security IG’s review of contract to hire screeners has been nearly complete for months.
Defense
DHS chief: Major changes to FEMA coming soon
Reforms will cut bureaucratic red tape, bolster logistics systems, Michael Chertoff says.
Management
GAO: Watchdog agency workers need own complaint process
Congress should establish independent means for Office of Special Counsel employees to lodge allegations of improprieties by top agency officials, report argues.
Tech
OMB report shows mixed progress on technology initiatives
Success in reaching 2005 goals uneven, with cybersecurity one area that is lagging.
Management