Defense

Defense develops tool to assess skills of acquisition workforce

System to compile information about individual and servicewide competencies is set to be deployed early this year.

Tech

Management agenda gets face-lift with new Web site, message

New OMB score card shows little change other than on the e-government initiative.

Management

White House interfered in climate change report, lawmaker says

More than half of federal climate scientists responding to a survey said they personally experienced political interference.

Management

SSA inspector general reverses course on fining employees

In settlement, IG agrees not to pursue fines that could have totaled millions of dollars; issue to be expunged from employees' personnel files.

Management

Shared savings plan could help Postal Service save energy

Services contracts will help fund efficiency improvements at facilities nationwide.

Defense

Senator challenges State official on Iraq reconstruction

Freshman Virginia lawmaker asks department to show management improvements and metrics for work by provincial teams.

Defense

Details lacking on White House proposal for civilian reserve corps

Idea differs from Iraq Study Group recommendation to order civilian federal employees to work in critical overseas posts.

Management

IG cites problems in GSA small business contract

Two of 10 orders reviewed used subcontracts for more than 90 percent of the work, far in excess of 50 percent limit.

Management

Investigators: FBI not wrong to dismiss complaint about Foley

Justice Department inspector general attributes “misinformation” in press reports to internal misunderstandings.

Defense

Treasury cancels request for help offloading contracting shop

Agency officials will not say whether divestiture effort has been called off altogether.

Defense

Lawmaker asks overseers to agree on meaning of ‘waste’

Common definition would be precursor to estimating wasteful spending on Iraq reconstruction.

Defense

Defense reluctant to share data on Iraqi troop readiness

GAO chief says the information would help lawmakers engage in constructive oversight.

Management

Research group finds flaws in proposed risk analysis guidelines

Administration agrees not to implement proposal; renominates controversial pick to head regulatory office.

Defense

Rice announces new Iraq reconstruction coordinator

Administration offers no details on increasing the number of federal civilians in Iraq, commits to adding military-civilian reconstruction teams.

Management

Taxpayer advocate makes pitch for IRS budget boost

Lawmakers urged to exempt the IRS from budget caps applied to other agencies.

Defense

Military justice code now covers some contractors

Advocates for contractors say rule change is ill-advised and unlikely to be applied immediately.

Defense

Watchdog group urges Congress to attack contractor misconduct

Greater transparency, conflicts of interest also on advocates’ wish list.

Management

Social Security employees face $3.8 million in work-related fines

Union officials call allegations against four employees “absurd,” arguing they were acting in the line of duty.

Defense

Defense IG finds major flaws in contracts issued via Treasury

Lack of competition, market research among gaps found in task orders issued using Treasury’s FedSource program.

Management

Defense employees reluctant to report ‘revolving door’ abuses

Survey finds hesitance stems partly from lack of clarity on post-employment rules.