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
Report: DHS slow to enact border security recommendations
Implementation of security plans and privacy impact assessments are among neglected suggestions, GAO says.
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