Defense
Moving FEMA out of Homeland Security could pose risks
Leadership is more important than organizational structure in ensuring operational effectiveness, IG finds.
Defense
Air Force poised to make F-22 request
Service will seek more of the fighter jets than the 183 planned, but won't try to reach its long-standing goal of 381 planes.
Oversight
Lack of federal veterinarians could hamper government response to disease outbreaks
Nationwide shortage of doctors and lower salaries in public sector put agencies at a disadvantage when it comes to hiring, GAO report says.
Defense
Defense extends suspension of price adjustments for small disadvantaged firms
Procurement chief cites a recent court decision declaring the practice unconstitutional.
Tech
From Nextgov.com: Final stimulus bill preserves IT spending, with some exceptions
Electronic health records, broadband and agencies' modernization projects receive big money , while some projects hit the Hill's cutting room floor.
Oversight
KBR, Halliburton reach agreement in bribery case
Two firms will pay $579 million in penalties to settle allegations of bribing Nigerian government officials to earn contracts.
Defense
Outlook for Defense spending is grim
Significant cuts are unlikely until the economy stabilizes, but weapons programs are unsustainable in the long term, budget observers say.
Oversight
Negotiators drop E-Verify mandate from stimulus package
Pro-business and pro-immigrant groups hail the removal of language requiring companies to check employees’ immigration status.
Defense
Pentagon may shift some war costs to base fiscal 2010 budget
An outline of the fiscal 2010 defense budget is expected on Capitol Hill this month after President Obama addresses Congress on Feb. 24.
Oversight
Pressure grows on Obama to alter NASA space proposals
Former government officials advise agency to focus less on space exploration and more on efforts to develop wind and solar energy and to combat global warming.
Oversight
Interior chief says agency prepared for stimulus projects
Salazar tells Senate Indian Affairs Committee he’s asked managers to give priority to work that could be started now.
Oversight
Acquisition lawyers say mandatory disclosure rule is opaque
New policy could turn into a legal land mine, as companies try to guess how regulators meant to define words such as “timely.”
Defense
Panel dismayed by rise in overseas Defense contracting
Lawmakers claim that Pentagon payments for contractor services rose by 183 percent since 2000, while military pay has gone up only 5 percent.
Oversight
Deficit will near $2 trillion in 2009, federal budget expert predicts
Funding that proved contentious in the economic stimulus package likely will be added to agency budgets this spring.
Oversight
Bill would expedite VA health care spending
Legislation would fund department’s medical programs for two years at a time starting in fiscal 2011.
Oversight
White House orders agencies to plan oversight of stimulus spending
Agencies must appoint senior-level officials by Feb. 13 to manage recovery funds.
Oversight
GOP threatens legal action over Census oversight
Republican leadership urges President Obama to reverse decision to extend its jurisdiction to the agency.
Oversight
Gregg steps out of the running for Commerce chief
Senator cites disagreements with President Obama on oversight of the U.S. Census Bureau and the economic stimulus package.
Oversight