Defense

Chertoff announces major changes for FEMA

Measures will include hiring as many as 1,500 full-time employees to help in disaster relief.

Tech

HUD irks managers with bar on teleworking

Policy forbids employees with supervisory responsibilities from working away from the office; other agencies have less strict rules.

Management

Federal spending on conferences soars

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., says agency expeditures on attending events have grown by about 70 percent in five years.

Defense

Pentagon’s business transformation effort moves forward

Agency created to bring Defense modernization programs under one roof unveils organizational structure and first budget request.

Tech

Security gaps found in EPA contracting system

Inspector general locates 50 vulnerabilities on nine computer servers.

Management

Investigative agency earns fewer victories for employees

Critics say Office of Special Counsel has focused more on cutting case backlog than securing corrective action for improper personnel practices.

Tech

Patent office managers to receive telework training

Under $47,500 contract, managers will get training in operating under a program designed to increase work away from the office.

Tech

Lawmaker urges review of patent approval and re-examination processes

Faster action could have helped resolve the BlackBerry patent dispute before it threatened to disrupt service, House committee leader says.

Tech

Defense tech agency boosts telework to prevent exodus

The Defense Information Systems Agency is giving certain employees more chances to work from home, in anticipation of headquarters relocation.

Management

Caution urged for executives seeking spots on nonprofit boards

Agencies should be careful about allowing their employees to serve on boards of groups with an interest in their work, Justice Department opinion says.

Tech

GSA launches upgraded FirstGov search engine

The “next-generation” technology is capable of looking through 40 million government-related documents, agency says.

News

Per diem rates raised in several metro areas, including D.C.

Higher lodging rates take effect Feb. 1.

Defense

Auditors cite critical flaws in Defense online travel system

The Government Accountability Office found that the system doesn’t always properly display flight and airfare information.

Defense

Base-closing recommendations influenced by technology advances

BRAC process balanced “precipitous action and counterproductive procrastination,” chairman of the 2005 panel says.

Defense

Pentagon programs poised for information-sharing awards

Seven Defense Department programs are finalists for honors from industry group.

Management

GSA officials aim to have reorganization nearly complete by fall

Employees should know where they stand by September, agency’s chief acquisition officer says.

Management

Key telework supporter promises continued advocacy

Virginia lawmaker says he’ll keep promoting the work arrangement regardless of his future committee assignments.

Defense

Report sheds light on hurricane fraud investigations

Agency inspectors general detail errors uncovered, including accounting mistake that cost FEMA more than $3 million.

Defense

Hurricane relief oversight leads to indictments, convictions

Latest progress report shows 65 indictments and 11 convictions in last two months.

Defense

GAO: Army system for tracking repair shipments substandard

Poor inventory controls place shipped items at risk of loss or theft, report says.