Oversight
Agencies’ improper payments increase; Obama to issue executive order
Administration says jump is due largely to better measurement, but rate is still “too high.”
Defense
GAO: Costs to implement BRAC have risen significantly
Auditors estimate the long-term savings will be about 70 percent lower than projected in 2005.
Oversight
OMB will release top government performance goals in February
President’s fiscal 2011 budget proposal will contain management objectives for agencies.
Oversight
Employees raise concerns about USDA reorganization
Headquarters human resources workers ordered to take new jobs elsewhere in the agency.
Defense
Defense measure likely to carry unfinished spending bills
Financial Services appropriations legislation containing the federal employee pay raise is expected to hitch a ride.
Oversight
Tough As Nails
The health bill could have foundered in so many places, but the House speaker and White House chief of staff muscled it through.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Senators voice concern about SSA's ability to keep up with more retirees
Social Security inspector general reports the agency's systems will no longer be able to manage the rising workload by 2012, three years before a new data center is completed.
Oversight
Maryland lawmaker tries to ease federal employees’ fears about health care
Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen says reform would not adversely affect FEHBP enrollees.
Defense
Armed Services panel delays briefing on Fort Hood incident
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee plans to hold a Thursday hearing on the shootings.
Oversight
Poll: Americans have lackluster view of government
Gallup finds mixed public perception of agencies’ performance, while military earns top marks.
Oversight
Rule would require contractors to vet employees for conflicts of interest
Proposed change to the Federal Acquisition Regulation would put burden on contractors, rather than the government.
Oversight
USAID nomination raises agency questions
Agriculture official's nomination sparks concerns about the future of USDA research programs and USAID's relationship with State.
Defense
Gates: Vehicles blaze new procurement trail
Mine-resistant, all-terrain vehicles mark a significant departure from the slow development cycles typical of most major defense programs, says Pentagon chief.
Defense
Alleged Army gunman’s former patients need follow-up care, observers say
Service declines to discuss steps Army is taking, if any, to help soldiers formerly treated by psychiatrist.
Oversight
IT acquisitions present new challenges for Pentagon
Top Defense official says department must be nimble in providing soldiers with state-of-the-art technologies.
Defense
Gates stepping up fight against roadside bombs
Defense secretary is creating a departmentwide task force aimed at combating the growing threat of improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Will the White House give CIOs more power in the fiscal 2011 budget?
Some see language in fiscal 2010 spending bills as a signal that the Obama administration will grant IT chiefs more spending authority, while others say wait and see.
Oversight
Bush procurement policy chief will appeal conviction
David Safavian’s argument will revolve partly around the possibility of a vindictive prosecution.
Oversight