Oversight
Lawyer for GSA chief argues investigative agency is biased
Agency should “disapprove” draft report concluding Lurita Doan violated the Hatch Act, attorney says.
Defense
Defense purchases of services rise sharply
GAO auditors say competition and contract oversight are important to secure best deals for the Pentagon.
Defense
Congress sends wartime funding bill to Bush
Measure drops timelines for withdrawing troops from combat zones, replacing them with 18 benchmarks for the Iraqi government to demonstrate progress.
Oversight
Agencies urge legislation to ease disposal of excess property
Witnesses agree uniform incentives and tools are needed; one proposal would allow agencies to keep a portion of the proceeds from sales.
Oversight
FEMA gives lawmakers list of nearly 4,000 sole-source contracts
Time period covered and value of the work unclear; House appropriators have written legislation prompting more competition.
Pay & Benefits
Crediting Volunteer Service
How service in prominent federal volunteer programs is treated in retirement computations.
Defense
Senate panel approves intelligence authorization measure
Bill would require the disclosure of the overall funding requested, authorized and appropriated for intelligence.
Defense
Senator keeps program for alternate fighter jet engine alive
Proponent of second engine argues competition will result in savings and a better final product.
Defense
Army stockpiles, destroys WMD antidotes in Iraq
Millions of dollars worth of drugs are incinerated under policy stemming from belief that Saddam Hussein stockpiled weapons of mass destruction.
Oversight
NASA official grilled on destruction of meeting videos
General counsel says he broke DVDs to prevent them from becoming public records.
Oversight
Union criticizes report backing NASA workforce flexibilities
Group charges that until the agency receives more funding, its missions and workforce remain at risk.
Oversight
Early special counsel report pushed punishment for GSA chief
Later version softened the edge, leaving it to President Bush to determine how to handle alleged Hatch Act violations.
Defense
Panel to pave way for massive bio-defense facility
Bill would allow DHS to enter into a contract and begin construction on a state-of-the-art research center.
Pay & Benefits