Oversight

Senate Democrats to hold hearings on contracting abuses in Iraq

Whistleblowers to testify on waste, fraud and abuse such as theft and double-billing.

Oversight

House passes three contracting bills

Legislation focused on improving transparency in federal acquisition.

Defense

Defense acquisition chief requires program managers to sign tenure agreements

Department works to reduce turnover, cited by GAO as cause of cost overruns and delays.

Oversight

House committee approves bill to close contracting loophole

Despite assurances from administration officials that legislative fix is unnecessary, skeptical lawmakers take extra step.

Oversight

Office of Management and Budget to issue guidance on purchase card requirements

Memo follows report exposing widespread abuse across agencies.

Oversight

House committee votes again to prohibit private tax debt collection

Ways and Means renews its commitment to ending IRS program; hopes for more Senate support.

Oversight

Inspectors general detail $11.4 billion in potential savings governmentwide in fiscal 2007

Annual report cites more cooperation, prosecutions and clean audits.

Oversight

State Department calls arms dealers’ disadvantaged status ‘coding error’

Suspended Defense contractor was designated as small and disadvantaged, but federal officials say it was never officially classified as such.

Defense

No record of arms dealer’s certification as disadvantaged business

Suspended Defense contractor was designated as small and disadvantaged, but federal officials say it was never officially classified as such.

Features

Turn Yourselves In

Federal officials want contractors to own up to potential violations of federal law.

Defense

GAO: Weapons systems over budget, overdue, underperforming

Annual assessment of programs shows continued acquisition problems at Defense.

Oversight

Report identifies top 10 management challenges facing next administration

Skyrocketing cost of health care, retirement programs could squeeze out other critical policy priorities, according to think tank.

Oversight

Multiple-award contract spending on the rise, research firm says

Largest increases were outside GSA schedules.

Oversight

OMB announces new cap on executive compensation costs in federal contracts

Fiscal 2008 cap nearly $15,000 higher than last year.

News

GAO moves to expand employee protest rights in job competitions

Competitive sourcing provisions would ease restrictions on appeals to watchdog agency.

News

Presidential signing statement on Defense bill raises red flags

Subcommittee, legal professionals debate whether Bush’s objections are excessively broad.

Oversight

Draft rule clarifies government’s procurement priorities with respect to small business

Proposal spells out no preference exists when awarding contracts among disadvantaged businesses.

News

Watchdog finds highest rate of premium travel at small agency

Top-dollar airfares excessive at Millennium Challenge Corporation, GAO reports.

News

IRS renews contracts with tax debt collection firms

Agency extends program to use private companies, which has come under fire from unions, lawmakers and the taxpayer advocate.

News And Analysis

Scrutinizing Set-Asides

Proposed rule requiring proof of past discrimination riles women-owned business advocates.