Oversight
Delays plague Energy’s Recovery Act spending
Staffing shortages, confusion over labor rules and environmental assessments have contributed to problems.
Defense
Senate confirms Defense nominees stalled by GOP holds
Republicans cave in after being pressed to explain wartime holds that weren't based on the merits of the candidates for Air Force and acquisition jobs.
Defense
Screening of all U.S.-bound air cargo still years away
Biggest challenge is getting cooperation from the governments of 20 countries where nearly 85 percent of cargo originates, senior official says.
Oversight
Senator: Contracting provisions will be passed in next jobs bill
Landrieu says bipartisanship helped advance a measure to resolve long-standing small business contracting problems.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Wiki in the works for sharing safest travel routes in Afghanistan
Network would replace ad hoc Internet communications among nonmilitary personnel with missions in war zone.
Oversight
Provision to fire tax-delinquent federal employees pulled
Republicans claim the majority is protecting federal employees; Democrats urge patience as details are ironed out.
Oversight
OPM aims to release revised retirement statements by mid-April
Agency is testing new system to fix a glitch in the annuity calculator that affected thousands of retirees.
Defense
Oversight panel leader slams new KBR contract
Lawmaker wants to know why the Pentagon continues to do business with the company despite faulty electrical work that may have contributed the deaths of 18 service members.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Army will tap its ‘digital natives’ for apps
Contest under way to award $30,000 in prize money for software programs that will fundamentally change the way the Army operates.
Defense
Contractors could make or break Afghanistan surge
Agencies are aiming to steer clear of the waste, fraud and corruption that plagued Iraq procurements.
Oversight
Grassley might oppose Treasury nominee
Republican lawmaker has concerns over the use of certain tax breaks by Obama's pick for undersecretary of domestic finance.
Oversight
House minority leader seeks open debt panel meetings
The final recommendations are scheduled to be presented to Congress by Dec. 1.
Oversight
Army awards KBR more work in Iraq
Days after losing a $20 million award fee because of poor performance, the Army awards the firm a task order to provide support services.
Defense
Navy chief optimistic F-35 will enter fleet on schedule
The service will benefit from being third in line to receive the fighter jets, top officer says.
Defense
Coast Guard takes control from Deepwater's integrators
Homeland Security is no longer relying on a contractor team to coordinate development of the fourth national security cutter.
Defense
Stalled border security nomination worries former commissioners
The 57,000-employee Customs and Border Protection bureau has been without top leaders for one year.
Oversight
Postal Service outlines plan to stay afloat
Increased flexibility and eliminating Saturday delivery are critical to long-term financial viability, officials say.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: FCC to propose new video archive in national broadband plan
Video.gov would expand upon Data.gov by archiving agencies’ video , information from other branches of government, and allowing public and broadcast media to contribute footage.
Defense
Air Force secretary says F-35 cost to breach legal limit
Price tag could trigger a congressional review and force the Pentagon to prove the program is critical to national security, says Michael Donley.
Defense