Oversight
Recruiting remains a key concern for acquisition chiefs
Procurement leaders are using direct hiring authority, dangling benefits such as telecommuting before job candidates, and expanding their searches beyond the Beltway.
Oversight
House passes FAA reauthorization bill
Substantial differences remain between House and Senate over language on contract negotiations and funding.
Oversight
Panel votes to limit Justice-White House communications
Legislation would only allow certain officials to discuss ongoing investigations, in an attempt to shield the Justice Department’s independence.
Defense
Lawmakers appalled by scale of contract fraud in Iraq
Defense officials say inadequate staff levels, training, controls and leadership are to blame.
Oversight
Lawmaker suggests cutting losses on mismanaged IT projects
Number of projects on OMB management watch list has decreased, but watchdog agency says figures may be understated.
Oversight
Plans for stopgap spending bill complicated by Iraq funding
Given the tricky politics of Iraq, even routine legislation like a continuing resolution is proving a difficult discussion.
Oversight
Acting USDA chief sees 'seamless transition'
Chuck Conner says that as deputy secretary, he was already involved in decision-making and discussions over the farm bill.
Oversight
OMB finds performance of federal programs improving
Administration rated 48 new programs in this round of evaluations, with 77 percent found to be at least adequate.
Defense
Outgoing VA head cites slow progress on claims backlog
Processing delays likely to continue as long as the nation is at war, says Jim Nicholson.
Oversight
New OMB chief to hold firm against excess spending
Despite $23 billion difference over appropriations, Jim Nussle says there is still time to avoid a train wreck.
Oversight
Special counsel, merit protection measure advances
Subcommittee passes language aimed at ensuring allegations of discrimination based on sexual orientation are pursued.
Defense
Defense cites strides in medical care for deployed civilians
Officials acknowledge there's still room for improvement.
Oversight
Contractors aim at Defense bill's acquisition changes
Industry groups are opposed to language limiting the use of time-and-materials contracts and allowing protests on task orders.
Oversight
Dominance Versus Confusion
Recent polls show Hillary Clinton as the clear front-runner in the Democratic presidential race; the Republican favorite is less clear.
Oversight
GSA: Politics to blame for collapse of Sun contract
Congress needs help to gain better understanding of how contracts work and the roles of acquisition officials, GSA chief says.
Defense
Bush nominates ex-judge to become attorney general
Michael Mukasey, an 18-year veteran of a U.S. district court in New York, has a conservative reputation on national security matters, law professor says.
Oversight
Panel poised to curb OSC discretion in whistleblower probes
Bill would require agencies protecting federal workplace rights to report more often to Congress and to give complainants more information on their cases.
Oversight
Bush signs lobbying, ethics reform package
Measure bans gifts to members of Congress and most travel paid for by lobbyists.
Defense
Pentagon rejects Air Force bid to control UAV programs
Other services viewed the Air Force's efforts as a power grab and vociferously objected, stating that they feared giving up their buying power.
Oversight