Acquisition

How much discretion in punishing contractors should agencies have?

Some lawmakers want to make suspension or debarment of misbehaving contractors mandatory, but the outgoing OFPP head disagrees with the strategy.

Digital Government

House Republicans introduce WhipCast mobile app with a splash

House Republican Whip Kevin McCarthy apparently took some tips from Hollywood in debuting the splashy new GOP WhipCast mobile application.

People

E-gov on the chopping block

The White House is appealing to Congress to restore funds for Data.gov, Challenge.gov, Federal IT Dashboard and other high-profile transparency initiatives.

Acquisition

Senate clamps down on contractors in sensitive jobs

An appropriations bill would require contracts to leave contractors out of work closely tied to inherently governmental functions.

Digital Government

Cutting back on vets

Veterans Day might be a good time for budget-cutting lawmakers to note the significant presence of vets in the federal workforce.

Modernization

Counterfeit electronics in supply chain put contractors on the hook

Counterfeit parts, mostly made in China, have found their way into the U.S. military's supply chain, and now members of the Senate Armed Services Committee want to hold contractors more accountable.

Digital Government

Government shutdown threat looms: Does it matter?

The government is facing another shutdown risk if Congress cannot pass measures to keep it funded beyond the Nov. 18 deadline. Has Congress cried "wolf" too many times?

Acquisition

Contractor tax repeal advances

The House approves a repeal of the 3 percent withholding tax on contractors. Next up: a Senate vote.

Digital Government

DOD has chance to dodge 'doomsday' budget scenario, group says

Spurred by congressional action and military drawdowns in Iraq and Afghanistan, Defense Department cuts are accelerating and will have significant impact on contractors, according to the TechAmerica Foundation.

Digital Government

Slash congressional salaries!

Federal Daily readers love to rant that members of Congress should start with cuts to their own salary before touching agency budgets, and one Virginia representative has a plan related to that sentiment.

People

Feds could see extended pay freeze in new proposals

Lawmakers propose measures that would affect federal pay to save US from "fiscal disaster."

Cybersecurity

Will congressional infighting stall cybersecurity laws?

Congress is running out of time to pass critical cybersecurity legislation, and Capitol Hill squabbling isn't helping the cause.

Cybersecurity

House GOP lawmakers introduce DHS authorization bill

Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) and other Republicans on the House Homeland Security Committee, introduce authorizing legislation for the Homeland Security Department.

Modernization

Security worries still impede cloud computing

As GSA ramps up FedRAMP, security remains a concern in efforts to move government IT to the cloud, officials told a House subcommittee.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity: The next partisan issue?

A Republican cybersecurity task force releases legislative recommendations as an alternative to Obama's proposal.

Modernization

CBO estimates cost of DATA Act

The Congressional Budget Office has figured out how much the government will spend to create a single database of federal spending.

People

House OKs funding to prevent government shutdown

Lawmakers approve measure to keep government operational for a short time.

Digital Government

Shutdown likely averted

Senate reaches agreement that could avert a government shutdown. Now the House must approve the deal.

People

Ash Carter confirmed by senate

Senate confirms Ash Carter as next deputy defense secretary.

People

Lawmakers take another run at workforce

A new bill to cut the federal workforce is under consideration in the House and Senate.