Digital Government

Senate defense bill takes first steps to undo sequestration

Congress is demanding Defense Secretary Leon Panetta furnish a comprehensive report on the potential effects of sequestration, which could take effect Jan. 2, 2013.

Acquisition

Biden to become benchmark for executive pay?

Currently, the Executive Compensation Benchmark is based on the median amount provided to senior executives in large U.S. corporations. One Senate commmittee says it's growing too much.

Acquisition

Senate committee encourages reverse auctions

The committee says reverse auctions stimulate “aggressive competition” among vendors and lead to lower prices.

Digital Government

Limiting conference attendance fixes the wrong problem

Legislation that would restrict conferences is already having a chilling effect on government/industry communications, write FCW's Anne Armstrong.

People

Joe Jordan confirmed as OFPP administrator

After just five months of vacancy, OFPP has a new leader.

Acquisition

Proposed small-biz contracting goals 'laudable but overly ambitious'

Congress aims for higher overall small-business contracting goals, even as administration officials consider them "unrealistic."

Digital Government

Hopes dim for bipartisan cybersecurity legislation

Two Senate bills are stalled while compromise seems unlikely.

People

DOD's proposed acquisition rule changes faltering in Congress

Congress rejected DOD's proposed changes to FAR language, but changes to commercial of-a-type acquisition aren't completely off the table yet.

Acquisition

Agencies could lose some suspension and debarment discretion

Defense bill would mandate action against contractors in some situations, rather than allowing agencies to decide case by case.

Digital Government

Issa to IGs: Don't leave Congress in the dark

Oversight committee chairman shares his new interpretation of the law on inspectors general reporting to Congress.

People

Defense Authorization begins its long journey through the House

House defense bill asks for $3 billion more than the Obama administration's plan.

People

GOP plan to nix sequester moves forward

House Republicans want to replace the looming sequester with cuts targeting health care and federal benefits.

Cybersecurity

Congressman plans cyber workforce development efforts

Rep. Jim Langevin is looking to catalyze better cyber training and expertise at the federal, state and local levels.

Acquisition

DOD moves to change rules for buying commercial products

DOD has proposed changes to acquisition rules that may drastically impact the federal marketplace.

People

One senator could block popular electronic disclosure bill

Transparency advocates are warning that despite the growing support for the Senate Campaign Disclosure Act, it could still be victim of parliamentary holds and other blocking moves. Attention is focused on one senator who has blocked the bill in the past.

Digital Government

Controversial cyber bill sails through House

The president has threatened to veto CISPA if it reaches his desk.

Acquisition

Contracting bill would settle debate over including political donations in bids

A House committee approves a bill that would ban agencies from requiring political contribution infromation in contract bids.

People

House tightens controls on conference spending

The DATA Act digs deep into agencies’ conference spending with quarterly reports.

Cybersecurity

Debate kindles as Congress takes up the latest controversial cybersecurity bill

Like SOPA and PIPA before it, CISPA is raising fears of privacy loss.

Modernization

DOD urges relaxed satellite controls

Momentum for satellite export reform is stalled by the complex and technical nature of the issue.