Management

Auditors detail flaws in VA budget process

Department should better justify savings projections, fully comply with congressional reporting requirements, investigators find.

Management

GSA set to implement merger of acquisition offices

Official says agency has dropped unpopular Get It Right program, which was aimed at curbing contracting abuses.

Management

NIH bill would establish electronic research tracking system

New “common fund” would target studies cutting across institutes.

Management

Union wins back pay for former IRS mailroom workers

Settlement represents a rare case in which an agency has been forced to issue payouts as a result of a lawsuit related to contracting out.

Management

Panel supports inspector general pay revisions

Special committee weighs options for updating the law governing IG operations.

News And Analysis

Pundit's Peril

Publicity deals and moonlighting on the air put agencies to the propaganda test.

Tech

OMB says new search tool will reflect accurate spending data

Administration official pledges to meet standards for federal spending database, but others have doubts about cost, feasibility.

Management

Data problems surface in review of Forest Service contract savings

Critic says flaws in assessment process point to broader problems in contract management.

Management

Congress approves federal spending database bill

New search tool would put information on federal grants and contracts in one place.

Management

Social Security warns of potential furloughs

Fiscal 2007 spending levels approved by a Senate committee would require 10-day furloughs agencywide, commissioner says.

Management

Measure to block Walter Reed outsourcing fails in Senate

Sponsor will push conferees to keep House-passed language.

Management

EEOC to establish working groups on federal complaint process

Effort will focus on timeliness, quality and perceived conflict of interest in investigations.

Management

GAO to OMB: Go slow on stricter audit requirements

Agencies need time to comply with June requirement before the standards get tougher, overseers say.

Management

New procurement chief seeks to ramp up job competitions

Paul Denett also wants internship programs, training to boost acquisition workforce.

Management

IRS prepares to start private debt collection next week

House, Senate divided on whether to block the initiative.

Management

Acquisition panel takes up conflict of interest issues

Cross-training on government and contractor ethics rules could bridge gaps in knowledge, advisory commission members say.

Management

EEOC reorganization a highlight, departing chairwoman says

Operational challenges of Sept. 11 helped agency prepare for Katrina, says Cari Dominguez.

Management

OMB releases update on audit requirements

Changes include new requirements for reporting revisions to prior-year audits.

Management

Judge skeptical of argument for new trial in Safavian case

Decision to admit e-mail evidence was “close,” judge says.

Management

Opportunities Abound

New administrator, Lurita Doan, brings energy and a small business perspective to the General Services Administration.