Defense
President's Homeland Security picks get guarded reception
Secret Service, Customs and Border Protection nominees win praise from labor organizations--and some expressions of concern about building sound relationships with employees.
Tech
Lawmaker urges review of patent approval and re-examination processes
Faster action could have helped resolve the BlackBerry patent dispute before it threatened to disrupt service, House committee leader says.
Management
Report details errors in Agriculture financial disclosures
In restating audit results, departments risk eroding public trust, GAO report says.
Defense
DHS asks industry to help secure borders
Homeland Security officials announce an acquisition strategy for first phase of the Secure Border Initiative.
Management
Feds in marine program compensated better than nonfederal counterparts
Differences in salary, annual leave and other benefits cause divisions within Commerce program’s multisector workforce.
Management
Ethics office seeks to extend post-employment ‘cooling off’ period to all of SES
Move would would widen pool of top officials subject to limits on contacts with their former agencies.
Tech
Defense tech agency boosts telework to prevent exodus
The Defense Information Systems Agency is giving certain employees more chances to work from home, in anticipation of headquarters relocation.
Management
Union asks IRS to bring contracted work back in-house
Agency says it has no plans to exercise authority to weigh shifting certain projects from contractors back to federal employees.
Defense
Senate budget adviser sees DHS funding increase
Senior staffer says it's the "only budget in town that is going to continue to see growth."
Management
Postal Service lobbies against reform bill
Agency says Senate legislation likely to burden Postal Service with employees' military pension costs, limit managerial flexibility.
Management
Space agency defends acquisitions processes
NASA says one-of-a-kind projects are less amenable to standardized reviews.
Management
Caution urged for executives seeking spots on nonprofit boards
Agencies should be careful about allowing their employees to serve on boards of groups with an interest in their work, Justice Department opinion says.
Defense
DHS urged to finish analysis of visitor tracking system
Department needs to complete a strategic plan to indicate how the program fits with other border security initiatives, GAO says.
Management
Agencies back environmentally friendly building principles
Agreement is aimed at boosting energy efficiency and indoor air quality at new and existing federal facilities.
Management
Pentagon again delays new labor rules upon judge’s request
Defense Department will forge ahead with creation of National Security Labor Relations Board.
Defense
Funding shortfalls cited for setbacks in storm response drill
Key officials, including the FEMA director, the governor of Louisiana and the mayor of New Orleans, failed to participate in the training exercise, senator says.
Management
Panel considers limits on lawmakers' earmark requests
Proposal looks to reduce the overall number of requests from about 35,000 each year to a more manageable number.
Management
Labor issues rule affecting contractors’ hiring processes
Rule designed to prevent discrimination and to help companies follow affirmative action requirements.
Tech