Oversight

Officials commit to collaborate on performance-based budgeting

Lawmakers, administration say they will weigh the success and failure of federal programs when making funding decisions.

Oversight

Senators express concern about administration’s contracting guidance

Memos are too light on specifics and lack deadlines to hold agencies accountable for making reforms, lawmakers say.

Oversight

OMB contracting guidance expected to be released this week

Memo will cover acquisition workforce and outsourcing, among other procurement issues.

Oversight

Half of stimulus contract spending falls into risky categories

Within the next week, Recovery.gov will list detailed summaries of noncompetitive, nonfixed price contracts.

Oversight

Contractors report generating tens of thousands of jobs under stimulus

Winners of federal contracts created or saved one job for every $70,000 received.

Oversight

Series of acquisition regulation changes announced

Rules aim to rein in excessive costs and increase oversight of contract award fees.

Oversight

Report says government should focus on quality of contracting competition

Agencies must streamline acquisitions process and improve cost management to attract best contractors, according to think tank.

Oversight

Obama administration launches program evaluation effort

Office of Management and Budget lays out new assessment principles and offers financial incentives for agencies that go the extra mile.

Oversight

Homeland Security to bring 3,200 contractor positions in-house

Acquisition official says these contractors are doing work that should be performed exclusively by federal employees.

Oversight

Performance chief promises to help managers overcome challenges

Jeffrey Zients also vows to change the role of OMB to one that is more collaborative.

Oversight

Survey: Feds beat private sector on vision, lag on management

Managers understand and embrace their agencies’ missions, but organizations lack effective operational practices.

News And Analysis

Critical Alliance

DHS joins forces with industry to protect key networks and resources.

Oversight

Watchdog: Stopgap spending measures tie agencies’ hands

Continuing resolutions cost agencies money and time and limit managers’ decision-making abilities.

Oversight

Senator urges caution in consolidating contracting databases

Procurement officials must be sure to consider the end user of the streamlined database and build in adequate oversight, panel chairwoman says.

Oversight

OMB will create new performance management framework for agencies

The approach will include elements from existing programs, top agency official says.

Oversight

Small business reps accuse big contractors of pulling a ‘bait-and-switch’

Large companies are using small firms to help develop bids and then cutting them loose before they can reap their fair share of the resulting work, officials say.

Oversight

Government management of real property improves slightly, report says

Since fiscal 2004, agencies have disposed of more than $8 billion in unnecessary assets, according to administration nominee.

Oversight

Bill would let firms that outgrow their size status retain set-aside contracts

Lawmaker says existing regulations punish small businesses for success, but critics question the motive behind the proposal.

Oversight

Government urged to check how contractors treat their employees

Center for American Progress claims egregious labor law violators are receiving federal dollars.

Oversight

Nominee lays out priorities for federal financial management

Reducing improper payments and managing the economic stimulus effort top the list.