Defense

Panel releases draft acquisition reform proposals

Industry leaders say some of the proposals will needlessly tie the hands of contracting officers.

Defense

Defense IG to ramp up Iraq spending audits

Report highlights role of Congress in requesting studies that generated $23 billion in benefits over six months.

Management

Small firms squeezed by growth in multiple-order contracts

Researchers find small businesses are taking home a shrinking share of these contracts.

Management

Government fails 10th consecutive audit

Five agencies, with $1.6 trillion in assets and costs on their balance sheets, denied a clean opinion.

Management

Yearlong funding measure won’t rely on current formula

Joint House-Senate group will set spending levels; agencies will likely have an opportunity to appeal for more money.

Management

EPA officials defend library closures, tout benefits of digitization

Internal documents urge officials to move slowly in disposal of library materials; furniture sale in Chicago netted just $350.

Management

Industry sweats details of new small business rules

SBA officials say lengthy task orders and subcontracts could be addressed in future regulations.

Defense

Defense secretary-designate backs personnel reforms

Robert Gates says pay and health benefits are key to military retention.

Defense

Congress restores tenure of IG for Iraq reconstruction

President’s signature will extend oversight by highly successful audit office.

Management

Agency pledges to improve oil, gas royalty compliance reviews

Minerals Management Service will address problems with data accuracy and procedural and reporting flaws.

Management

Update to GSA acquisition structure leaves questions

Reporting relationship between regional offices and agency's headquarters remains murky.

Management

Officials debate threshold for reporting payment errors

Discussions center on the definition of “significant” risk; officials urge legal changes to let agencies share payment information.

Management

House Dems push EPA to postpone library closures

Plan to change how services are delivered requires time for scrutiny and public comment, congressional staffer says.

Management

Kerry pledges to overhaul SBA in chairman's role

Senator says other priorities include improving federal contracting opportunities for veterans, women and minorities.

Management

IG: Defense broke buying rules with purchases through NASA

Nearly 90 percent of orders reviewed violated rules on competition, funding and record-keeping.

Management

Program for disabled, blind, renamed to better reflect mission

Officials say new name for JWOD Program is unrelated to a recent fraud incident.

Management

Majority of senators oppose deep Social Security budget cuts

Spending caps will apply budget pressure that could lead to furloughs.

Management

Auditors cite progress on SBA management challenges

Small business certification rules still listed as troubled area.

Management

Auditors question agency estimates on payment errors

Homeland Security is among eight agencies reporting they had no programs susceptible to improper payments.

Management

IRS enforcement activities bring in record revenue for 2006

Commissioner says strides in enforcement of tax laws have not come at the expense of customer service.