Defense

On the sea and in the air, military bills come due

Air Force planes and Navy ships are reaching the end of their work lives, but current conflicts pinch new purchases.

Oversight

Public satisfaction with e-government hits lowest level since 2005

Rising user expectations rather than a decline in service could account for lower score.

Oversight

Intel CIO aims to cut years out of IT buying process

Operations at various intelligence agencies also must be centralized to improve information sharing, says Dale Meyerrose.

Oversight

EPA and Energy launch national program to reduce data center energy use

Growing appetite for energy threatens stability of the electric grid.

Defense

GAO: Major defense contracts cheaper to cancel than continue

Watchdog finds that even after termination costs are factored in, it’s generally less expensive to end an unneeded program than to keep paying for it.

Oversight

Collaboration essential to overcoming skepticism about shared services, report says

Agencies still hesitant about funding and reluctant to share data, according to IT officials.

Defense

Oversight committee asks Defense for information on electrical systems contracts

Solider was killed when an improperly grounded electric water pump sent a current into water he was using while showering.

Oversight

Panel urges new administration to go slow on pay reform

Government workforce gurus offer their two cents on federal pay scale, contracting.

Defense

Senator to consider pursuing bill to keep military equipment production in U.S.

Washington Democrat's comments came after hearing aerospace suppliers' complaints about the Air Force's controversial refueling tanker contract.

Defense

General: Army reliance on National Guard won't diminish

A larger force will mean more time at home between overseas missions for all active and reserve combat units.

Oversight

Analysts urge fine-tuning of performance measurement systems

Effort to link results to budget decisions questioned.

Oversight

GSA awards $2.5 billion contract for contact center services

Agencies can use USA Contact to set up emergency call-in centers to receive inquiries from the public during crises.

Oversight

Information czar calls for performance reviews to include sharing

Head of the Information Sharing Environment says all agencies should follow intelligence community's lead to create a culture based not on "need to know" but "need to share."

Defense

Navy goal to build balanced, affordable fleet, chief says

The service is in the middle of an ambitious and costly plan to build a 313-ship fleet of modern aircraft carriers, destroyers, cruisers and other vessels.

Oversight

Incumbents playing wait and see on budget additions

Many vulnerable House Republicans are adopting "get tough on earmarks" stands.

Oversight

NIH director steers agency through tough times

Elias Zerhouni has used charm and deft political maneuvering to win and keep the support of Washington, industry and outside groups as he tries to rejuvenate the agency.

Oversight

Judgment Calls

If the Obama-Clinton contest is a dead heat at the end of the last primaries and caucuses, superdelegates could flip the outcome.

Oversight

GSA signs agreement to open advanced design software

International standards for so-called Building Information Modeling will cut design and construction costs, officials say.

Defense

Prospect of congressional interference in tanker contract sparks concern

Lawmakers could set a perilous precedent if they overturn Air Force decision, critics say.

Oversight

Patent and Trademark Office budget amendment approved

Senator says economic benefits are lost when pace of patent approval slows.