Oversight

FEMA gives lawmakers list of nearly 4,000 sole-source contracts

Time period covered and value of the work unclear; House appropriators have written legislation prompting more competition.

Oversight

NASA official grilled on destruction of meeting videos

General counsel says he broke DVDs to prevent them from becoming public records.

Oversight

Union criticizes report backing NASA workforce flexibilities

Group charges that until the agency receives more funding, its missions and workforce remain at risk.

Oversight

Early special counsel report pushed punishment for GSA chief

Later version softened the edge, leaving it to President Bush to determine how to handle alleged Hatch Act violations.

Oversight

House Dems increase spending, challenge administration

White House signals it will not give in easily on spending later this year, particularly if Democrats are able to force a change in direction on Iraq policy.

Oversight

Recording raises questions about tax collection calls

Companies calling on behalf of IRS are limited by privacy restrictions, industry official tells lawmakers.

Oversight

Special counsel finds GSA chief violated Hatch Act

Lurita Doan challenges some of report’s findings, has until June 1 to respond officially.

Oversight

Lawmakers grill GAO chief over pay decisions

Analyst says compensation study had "significant" flaws.

Defense

Oversight of Iraq reconstruction winding down

IG office will publish investigations of key companies and government contracting operations before closing shop at the end of 2008.

Defense

SBA study shows perils of analyzing small business contracts

Reviewers ran into conflicting and unreliable data in preparing report on small firms' performance in outsourcing contests.

Oversight

Senators look to protect NIH from budget cuts

Leaders of appropriations subcommittee are seeking to restore as much as possible of $328 million in proposed cuts.

Oversight

Closing In

The contest for the GOP presidential nomination is tightening, with John McCain gaining on Rudy Giuliani.

Oversight

McCain pledges to reorganize federal workforce

GOP presidential hopeful says he'll devote "necessary resources" to making sure "government pay scales allow us to attract the finest public servants."

Defense

Panel backs security grants, cuts modernization aid

Appropriators vote to provide about $700 million for the Coast Guard's fleet upgrade program, about $450 million less than current levels.

Defense

Appeals court allows Pentagon to limit collective bargaining

Labor unions argue that one judge's strong dissent may merit a full court review of the decision upholding the Defense Department's new personnel system.

Oversight

Dems’ 2008 budget plan passes, previews tough choices

White House opposes $21 billion increase in domestic spending the budget allots, has threatened to veto bills exceeding $933 billion request.

Defense

Top contractors sink deeper into trouble with Coast Guard

Service is revoking decision to accept 123-foot patrol boats from Lockheed Martin-Northrop Grumman team.

Defense

Coast Guard's modernization faces more cost hikes

Despite improved program management, costs still could rise for new national security cutters and unmanned aerial vehicles, IG says.

Oversight

House passes 3.5 percent military pay raise

Bill also would restore collective bargaining and appeal rights to new Defense personnel system, impose new outsourcing restrictions.

Oversight

IG finds flaws in DHS contract award to limo company

Firm was ill-equipped to carry out the work, and the department did not foster enough competition, investigators find.