Oversight

Senate chairman probes contractor’s erroneous classification as disadvantaged business

Small Business Committee Democrat John Kerry fires off letters to State, Defense and SBA.

Oversight

Trade group weighs in on Blackwater, IBM

Official with the Professional Services Council says contracting is not driven by politics as often as it appears to be.

Defense

State Department renews Blackwater contract for one year

Controversial security contractor is under investigation for September shooting that left 17 Iraqi civilians dead.

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.

News

Congress still pigging out on pork-barrel projects: watchdog group

Fruit fly research, lobster exploration among projects flagged as wasteful in latest ‘Pig Book.’

News And Analysis

Pork Panderers

Everyone wants in on earmark reform, but accomplishing it is another thing.

Defense

Pentagon blurred line between contractors, feds: GAO

Report cites major problems, salary disparity at Army contracting office.

Defense

Contractor tests missile defense technology for civilian airliners

Northrop Grumman ready to produce onboard system, but the question is who will pay for it.

Oversight

House GOP eager to strip debarment provision from contracting bill

Controversial amendment could prevent some major contractors from earning future government work, critics say.

Defense

GAO: Major defense contracts cheaper to cancel than continue

Watchdog finds that even after termination costs are factored in, it’s generally less expensive to end an unneeded program than to keep paying for it.

Defense

Prospect of congressional interference in tanker contract sparks concern

Lawmakers could set a perilous precedent if they overturn Air Force decision, critics say.

Oversight

GSA seeks to require federal travelers to use contract hotels

Comprehensive legislative package also would streamline the process of setting mileage reimbursement rates and expand child care services.

Defense

Contractors are doing core acquisition jobs, Defense official says

Pentagon’s top procurement executive notes danger of outsourcing inherently governmental tasks.

Oversight

Panel questions e-procurement’s effects on small businesses

House committee skeptical of e-Travel initiative, reverse auctions.

Defense

Clinton supports bill to ban use of State Department private security contractors

Democratic presidential hopeful wants diplomatic security in Iraq and Afghanistan handled by federal personnel.

Features

Competing To the Death

President Bush’s much heralded competitive sourcing program is on life support.

News

Watchdog recommends that EPA limit cost-plus-award-fee contracts

Agency might have overrated contractor performance and wasted millions on incentive payments, IG reports.

News

Report says inspectors general lack independence, resources

Limits on staffing, budget authority hamper oversight, survey finds.

Oversight

Link between programs’ funding, performance ratings is tenuous

Analysis finds that more than 70 percent of programs slated for cuts in the Bush administration’s fiscal 2009 budget proposal were rated as “adequate” or better.

Oversight

Survey paints bleak picture of public trust in government

Results show taxpayers expect more accurate, accessible information about federal spending.