Cybersecurity

GAO: Dead people can still get passports

The State Department needs to conduct mandatory checks of a death database to avoid issuing fraudulent passports, GAO recommends in a new report.

People

GAO appoints HIT committee members

The Government Accountability Office has named 13 members to the Health Information Technology Policy Committee, an advisory body established by the economic stimulus law.

People

GAO names Health IT panel members

The HHS secretary and congressional leadership would name seven more members to a panel that will advise on policy for a nationwide health IT infrastructure.

People

Fed officials see uncertain future for NSPS

DOD must ensure fairness for employees who are covered by the pay and performance management system with safeguards and standard business rules, GAO said.

Modernization

GAO: Delays, costs still problems at DOD

The Government Accountability Office has issued a report that cites continuing high development costs and long delays for Defense Department programs.

People

GAO urges public to report stimulus law waste

The billions available for spending raise the potential for inappropriate use and mismanagement, GAO’s acting comptroller general said.

People

FAA's guide to dropping off the high-risk list

FAA explains how it eliminated its chronic management deficincies.

Cybersecurity

GAO: DHS has mixed record on FOIA

Some DHS agencies are falling behind on their Freedom of Information Act requests, while others saw improvement in the past two years, GAO says.

People

GAO: Energy faces problems with stimulus billions

The stimulus law sends almost $12 billion to Energy Department programs with track records that raise concerns about accountability, the GAO says.

Modernization

GAO will review state plans for stimulus cash

Federal auditors will check how state governments plan to spend their money from the new economic stimulus law, an official said.

Cybersecurity

Officials urge civilian cybersecurity role

The outgoing director of DHS' National Cybersecurity Center and others say civilian agencies should play an independent and significant role in securing unclassified networks.

Modernization

IG: Transportation has hands full tracking stimulus funds

The attention required to distribute the funds quickly while providing significant oversight will force DOT to limit its focus on transportation safety issues, Calvin Scovel told Congress.

People

Agencies get cost-estimating advice from GAO

A guide offers step-by-step recommendations for how to avoid cost overruns, missed deadlines and performance gaps.

Modernization

GAO: Labor's whistleblower data a mess

The Labor Department's records for federal whistleblowers are often inaccurate and incomplete, according to a new GAO report.

People

GAO: Barred contractors get millions

More than two dozen federal contractors guilty of fraud and illegal activity still managed to win millions of dollars in contracts, according to a new GAO report.

Cybersecurity

Bill would increase reporting on contractors

A House bill would require additional reporting on how intelligence agencies use private contractors.

Cybersecurity

GAO updates manual for information system audits

The manual focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of controls, including for use in security assessments under FISMA.

Acquisition

Lieberman creates contracting oversight panel

Sen. Joe Lieberman has created a subcommittee that will deal with contracting abuses. Sen. Claire McCaskill will chair the subcommittee.

People

Auditors: DOD, VA need measures to track electronic health record progress

The departments plan to be able to fully share their health information by Sept. 30.

People

Senators want more oversight over rescue plan

Their legislation would require private entities that receive federal funds through the Treasury Department’s financial rescue program to give the GAO access to their books and records.