Defense
Coast Guard awards patrol boat contract to fill critical void
Award is service’s first major procurement under its new acquisition directorate.
Oversight
Bailout bill would have given Treasury chief unfettered authority
Legislation would have allowed Henry Paulson to waive acquisition rules and competitive hiring procedures.
Oversight
Democrats: Report on U.S. attorney firings leaves questions
Nora Dannehy, a career prosecutor, will direct probe.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Turnaround in case management system marks CIO’s tenure
Retiring Zalmai Azmi says a phased approach and more training in project management have been key to Sentinel’s success.
Oversight
Defense agency rescinds whistleblower’s gag order
DCAA threatened to discipline contract auditor if she released documents to the Office of Special Counsel.
Oversight
Grant program approved to preserve presidential documents
Amendment would allow the National Archives to publish the founding fathers' documents online.
Defense
Senate panel approves policies for release of sensitive documents
Bill would establish a Controlled Unclassified Information Office within the National Archives and Records Administration.
Defense
Pentagon cost overruns defy easy solutions
Overruns in the military's top 95 procurement programs have increased $295 billion since 2000, according to GAO.
Oversight
Panel explores potential bias against minority contractors
Researcher suggests updating and fine-tuning limits on the personal net worth of business owners participating in two federal programs.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Census pushes for $795 million for handhelds
Cost is lower than previous estimate, but bureau still faces developing and paying for fingerprinting up to 1 million workers for 2010 count .
Defense
Congress questions Homeland Security’s approach to nuclear detection
GAO, scientists: Key acquisition programs are failing to deliver on promises.
Oversight
USDA plans personnel switch at food safety agency
Bush will name Beth Johnson as acting undersecretary to replace Richard Raymond.
Oversight
Presidential campaigns and Senate urged to expedite appointments process
Faster consideration is especially critical given the country’s economic situation, good government groups say.
Oversight
Senate leader: Saturday votes on continuing resolution expected
If the Senate approves the measure unchanged, it will go to President Bush for his signature.
Defense
House continuing resolution includes funds for National Guard, F-22
Measure also provides $72 million to compensate military personnel who have had their terms of service involuntarily extended.
Oversight
Deal clears way for bill giving IGs greater independence
House negotiators agree to drop provision limiting IGs to seven-year terms.
Oversight
Obama’s contracting plan met with approval, skepticism
Democratic presidential nominee vows to cut the number of contractors, reduce procurement spending by 10 percent.
Defense