Oversight

Obama issues sweeping ethics orders

White House staff subject to strict rules on gifts, interaction with lobbyists; civil servants face more scrutiny as well.

Defense

New Pentagon rule tightens revolving door

Any official involved in a big acquisition program will need written approval from an ethics officer to take a job with a contractor.

Oversight

OMB pick pledges better integration of management and budget duties

Initiatives will include bolstering acquisition workforce, speeding hiring and improving program performance.

Oversight

Senate champion of federal employees to retire in 2010

Ohio Republican George Voinovich has focused on civil service and management issues for years.

Oversight

Women’s small business program postponed again

Government also delays implementation of rule that would require contractors to check employees’ immigration status.

Oversight

New chief performance officer to demand results from feds

Nancy Killefer has a reputation for overhauling bureaucracies and improving efficiency.

Oversight

Obama presses oversight of economic stimulus package

President-elect proposes special board and online database to track implementation.

Oversight

Report finds OMB did not pressure Pentagon on competitive sourcing

Army officials say they did feel the need to meet annual targets in the service’s program budget.

Oversight

Bid protests reach 10-year high

Figures indicate agencies are reaching more voluntary accords with unhappy contractors, taking the cases off GAO’s plate.

Features

Memo to the President-Elect

By now you’ve gotten plenty of input on staffing and policy. Here’s some frank advice on making government work.

Oversight

Safavian found guilty in retrial

Former top procurement official faced charges for lying about his relationship with lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Oversight

Jury deliberates in Safavian case

Trial ends without attorneys for former top Bush administration procurement official calling any witnesses to the stand.

Oversight

House oversight panel gets new leadership

Rep. Edolphus Towns named chairman of government reform committee; Rep. Darrell Issa selected ranking member.

Oversight

Lawyers make opening arguments in Safavian retrial

Former procurement chief faces three old charges and two new ones related to his dealings with Jack Abramoff.

Oversight

Report: Many service contract workers are underpaid

Group calls on government to gather more data on salaries, benefits of contract employees.

Defense

Loss of legal immunity will change landscape for contractors in Iraq

Industry officials are concerned that the possibility of prosecution in Iraqi courts will scare off workers.

Oversight

Obama could follow hybrid approach to government reform

Observers predict the incoming administration will blend Clinton and Bush’s methods of reshaping the bureaucracy.

News And Analysis

On the Hook

The Justice Department's dogged prosecution of David Safavian has many scratching their heads.

Oversight

Oversight, workforce remain top concerns in acquisition survey

Professional Services Council Procurement Policy Survey cites need to tackle contracting in a holistic manner.

News

As new trial looms, questions raised about prosecution of former procurement chief

David Safavian has been in the crosshairs of federal prosecutors for the past five years.