Oversight

Senators aim to stave off 3 percent tax withholding for contractors

Controversial requirement intended to ensure tax compliance is slated to take effect next year.

Oversight

Reorganization effort to start with trade, export agencies

Obama plan could face pushback from public and private sector constituencies invested in the status quo.

Oversight

Congressional committees target SBA programs for cuts

Senate, House leaders are looking for underperforming programs that can be cut or eliminated.

Defense

GAO: Defense business transformation showing signs of progress

Report finds efforts need to be better aligned with Pentagon’s efficiency initiative, however.

Oversight

Reorganization: Lots of ideas, no details yet

Administration is beginning to identify officials to lead consolidation of federal agencies, but no timeline has been set.

Oversight

‘Put your pom-poms on’: Report details Hatch Act violations

Office of Special Counsel concludes Bush administration officials violated federal law by hosting political events on government time and in federal facilities.

News

Afghan inspector general questions construction spending

SIGAR tells Commission on Wartime Contracting that Afghan security facilities are behind schedule and significant funds could be wasted.

Oversight

Contractor performance database goes public in April

GSA sets a target date for opening the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System to public viewing.

Oversight

Supreme Court approves background checks for contractors

NASA has the right to ask scientists questions about past drug use and emotional stability, justices rule.

Oversight

GAO: Army contractors performing inherently governmental functions

Review shows private workers in thousands of jobs designated for federal employees.

Oversight

Survey shows growing distrust between industry and federal auditors

Contractors polled by Grant Thornton blame Defense Contract Audit Agency for failing to promptly resolve procurement disputes.

Oversight

Obama orders review of agency regulations

Executive order aims to fix or repeal rules seen as outdated or inefficient that could be restricting job growth.

Oversight

Hardware distributor agrees to $6.25 million false claims settlement

Despite deal, Fastenal continues to deny allegations it overcharged government customers and failed to disclose commercial sales practices.

Defense

Customs, border bureau forges ahead on insourcing

Technology office plans to cut 1,200 contract employees and hire 1,000 feds.

Oversight

Pilot program will help small businesses compete for large contracts

SBA is offering $5 million in grants to established companies willing to shepherd smaller ventures through the procurement process.

News

Afghan reconstruction watchdog resigns

Arnold Fields had come under criticism from the Senate, but administration official denies he was pushed out.

Defense

Plans for closing Joint Forces Command likely ready next month

Pentagon will cut roughly 1,900 civilian and contractor employees in a move expected to save $400 million.

Oversight

Obama nominates new OMB deputy director

Heather Higginbottom currently serves as deputy assistant to the president.

Oversight

Report finds IRS does business with tax delinquents

Agency often does not verify whether contractors have paid federal taxes, according to Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

Oversight

IG finds Army mismanaged contingency operations support contract

Service allowed scope of the deal to grow without fostering competition, or taking proper precautions to protect proprietary data, report says.