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Defense

Bid protest slows Pentagon’s electronic travel program

A revised solicitation, to be released in August, could include fixed prices due to GAO ruling.

Tech

Energy employees get new online training program

Online education system will serve 15,000 agency employees and 10,000 contractors.

Tech

Routing phone calls over Internet could make teleworking easier

Employees who need to be close to their office telephones could gain access from home over the Internet.

Defense

GAO: Defense Department management weaknesses persist

Four years and $318 million in spending by the Pentagon was not enough to establish a strong enterprise architecture.

Tech

House and Senate at odds over funding for e-government projects

House votes to allocate fewer dollars than requested by the White House, while Senate approves full request.

Tech

Senate panel approves eTravel small business set-asides

Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously passes bill mandating that 23 percent of eTravel contracts go to small businesses.

Pay & Benefits

Relocation board’s charter extended through end of 2005

The Governmentwide Relocation Advisory Board’s charter given some wiggle room in case it stumbles in meeting September reporting deadline.

Tech

Senate subcommittee mandates small business participation in eTravel

Bill requires that a minimum of 23 percent of contracted dollars go to small travel agencies.

Tech

GAO again slams agencies' cybersecurity efforts

Congressional auditors tell OMB officials to step up oversight of agencies’ IT security efforts.

Defense

BRAC panel adds bases to closure list

Commissioners vote to consider closing or realigning several bases not on Pentagon’s list.

Tech

Vendors challenge claim that eTravel cuts out small firms

Program leaves room for small companies to do business with agencies, industry officials say.

Defense

Pentagon officials defend base closure recommendations

BRAC panel questions Defense officials on reasoning behind locations on the list.

Management

Former House Speaker recommends public-private partnership for National Zoo

Proposal is among 20 federal management reforms that Newt Gingrich proposed before a House subcommittee.

Management

Senators to take up proposal to nix GSA's eTravel system

Small business travel agencies push key members of Congress to block GSA's program.

Tech

DHS information security plans lacking, GAO says

Computer security plans at Homeland Security Department criticized after 11-month cybersecurity review.

Management

GSA solicits ideas for improving purchase card program

A request for information from GSA, the administrator of the SmartPay program, asks for ways to make it better.

Tech

House vote cuts GSA’s eTravel program

House members vote to bar funding over claims that small travel agencies are losing government business.

Defense

Defense employees to get anti-spyware software

A $6.9 million contract will safeguard 4 million computers in both offices and homes with security software.

Management

Legislation would protect employees from sexual orientation discrimination

Proposed law would add discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation to the list of prohibited personnel practices.