Management
Senate confirms Rhodes to lead White House procurement office
Kevin Rhodes has been a senior adviser to the Office of Management and Budget since February and focused his efforts on the Federal Acquisition Regulation overhaul.
Tech
Pentagon bans tech vendors from using China-based personnel following a ProPublica investigation
The Defense Department has tightened cybersecurity requirements for its cloud services providers. The changes come after ProPublica revealed how Microsoft’s use of China-based engineers left sensitive government
Defense
DOGE now has approval authority for defense IT, consulting contracts
A new memo from the Defense Department's acquisition leader spells out what agencies and components have to inform the Department of Government Efficiency before proceeding on certain contracts.
Defense
Hegseth wants to insource work—but doesn't understand why it was outsourced
COMMENTARY | The Defense Department’s recent contracting directives are sweeping, but will they be successful?
Defense
DOD cuts $580M in programs, contracts and grants
The latest round of Pentagon spending cuts — which include a delayed HR software program — brings the department’s running total of eliminated programs to $800 million since the start of the Trump administration.
Defense
Musk's government roles create 'clear avenues for serious conflicts of interest'
The SpaceX CEO, who leads a company with more than $10 billion in government contracts, is also the face of a new body aimed at getting rid of government waste.
Oversight
Senators debate how to minimize the security risks of federal contractors working with China
Some agencies have blown past deadlines to implement certain requirements that address conflicts of interest in contracting while lawmakers weighed additional guardrails.
News
Legislation weighing contractors' national security risk heads to Senate floor
One bill would bar federal agencies from contracting with entities that consult with the Chinese government.
Defense
The inside story of how the Navy spent billions on the “little crappy ship”
A ProPublica examination reveals new details on why the LCS never delivered on its promises.
Oversight
Pentagon’s reversal on new travel expense system is “troubling,” key lawmaker says
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., said the Pentagon’s decision to terminate a multi-million dollar contract to replace its Defense Travel System “raises broader questions about DOD’s ability to manage its finances and information technology.”
Defense
Where’d the Money Go? Lawmakers Press Air Force on Planned Radar Plane
Congress approved $200 million last year to get the first E-7s faster. That’s not happening.
Workforce
Cutting Civilian Defense Jobs Won't Eliminate the Real Waste at the Pentagon, Union Says
If lawmakers want to find savings at the Pentagon, they should start with underperforming weapons systems and service contracts, AFGE officials said.
Defense
CEOs Downplay Anticipated Gridlock on Capitol Hill, Defense Spending Cuts
Lockheed, Raytheon chiefs also say pandemic-era supply-chain woes are subsiding.
Defense
What We Know About U.S.-Backed Zero Units in Afghanistan
Deadly night raids. Faulty U.S. intelligence. A “classified” war loophole. Reporter Lynzy Billing’s investigation offers an unprecedented insight into the civilian casualties of Afghanistan’s Zero Units.
Defense
Aides Recall How Ash Carter Changed Pentagon’s Weapons Buying
Over decades, the physicist-turned-defense leader worked to speed up and streamline arms procurement.
Defense
Why The Pentagon’s Crush on Elon Musk is Dangerous For Democracy
Once considered a cross between Thomas Edison and Moses, Musk is revealing himself to be an ill-informed, modern-day tyrant.
Defense
DISA’s Sweeping New Plan Takes Aim at Data Silos, Mistagged Info
The Pentagon’s IT agency has policy and culture ideas to encourage freer, more secure info-sharing.
Defense
The U.S. Military Is Buying Electric Jet-ski Robots
Tests will see whether battery-powered personal watercraft can help with search-and-rescue
Defense
Defense Firms Sound Inflation Alarm as Congress Mulls 2023 Budget
One trade association says Pentagon would lose $110 billion in buying power.
Defense