Defense
Dwindling number of aircraft may seal fate of Air Guard
Under base closing proposal, 23 Air National Guard units would be stripped of their planes.
Defense
Postal Service beefs up instruction on handling suspicious mail
Training will give employees exposure to more scenarios.
News
OPM to solicit contracts for dental and vision coverage in September
Two congressmen press OPM director to include regional providers in solicitation.
Defense
Pentagon defends environmental estimates for closing bases
Critics say cost of cleaning up shuttered military installations will cut deeply into estimated savings of closing bases.
Management
OMB finalizes charge card guidance
Updated rules for purchase and travel cards require agencies to perform background checks on new cardholders.
Defense
DHS plans Web site to help identify transportation vulnerabilities
Free Web-based tool would allow transportation owners and operators to voluntarily assess system security and get feedback on improvements.
Defense
D.C. train ban remains on hold while other cities efforts advance
Rail operator CSX and Transportation Department trying to have ban lifted.
Pay & Benefits
Life-Cycle Variety
The popular new “life-cycle” funds have far lower administrative costs, but are missing some of the innovations of certain private plans.
Defense
Bush administration's TSA budget request faces steep cuts
House and Senate appropriators will meet in September to negotiate the final budget numbers before sending the bill to the president.
Defense
Cost of Defense personnel reforms questioned
Unions say $158 million quoted cost is unrealistic.
Defense
Report cites increased risk of terrorist attack using chemicals
Congressional study outlines options for lawmakers, such as requiring chemical plant operators to have better protections.
Management
Acquisition institute plans share-in-savings training
Courses will be provided free if Congress extends authority to use the contract vehicle.
Defense
Maine lawmakers make last-ditch pitch to save Naval Air Base
Group argued that Brunswick Naval Air Station is vital to homeland defense.
Tech