People

VA official resigns in conference-spending scandal

A top VA official has resigned and others have been put on an administrative leave in the course of an inspector general probe into spending on training conferences.

Modernization

GSA cloud transition questioned in audit report

Has GSA made progress in moving the agency from Lotus Notes to the cloud? According to the Inspector General, it's hard to tell from the agency's performance measures.

People

Missing data hampers contract inventories

Agencies are supposed to maintain contract inventories to give management a clear picture of where their money goes, but some critical data is difficult to get.

People

Obama signs continuing resolution

Agencies now have money designated through March 27.

People

NASA learns the dark side of a sunny outlook

When exploring the solar system, NASA's 'we can do it' attitude is critical for success. On more down-to-earth projects, however, it can create problems.

Digital Government

Senate votes to lighten GAO workload

A bill that passed the Senate unanimously would take some reports off the audit agency's docket.

People

GSA unravels snag in digitizing contract files

The General Services Administration is working to resolve the management mistakes and unclear priorities that have hampered its digitization effort.

Acquisition

Incentives: Cheering on the bargain shoppers

Employees like being recognized for their good work, but these days there are more negative incentives than positives.

People

Alan Estevez nominated for senior DOD procurement job

The Defense Department will play a prominent role in navigating procurement in a tough fiscal time, and the nominee for a senior acquisition job awaits the Senate's confirmation.

Cybersecurity

DHS seeks future all-stars from program manager ranks

DHS official sees managers toiling in obscurity as a farm team, people to train and mentor so that they can step in larger leadership roles in the future.

Acquisition

Sequstration could cut off some suppliers for agencies

Agencies rely on small firms for their operations, but many of those companies don't have the cushion to survive harsh cutbacks from sequestration.

Modernization

New bill would grant CIOs greater authority

Legislation being drafted by House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Darrell Issa would clarify the CIO's role, and enact several other reforms.

Acquisition

DOD interpreting labor rate cap too strictly, group claims

A law requires Defense agencies to try to keep labor and overhead rates charged by contractors to 2010 levels, but a contractor advocate says the department has more leeway than it realizes.

Digital Government

NASA, SBA use Google+ to praise small business

Small businesses have played a key role in the Mars Curiosity mission and are a core part of the space agency's strategy, according to its administrator.

Modernization

Library of Congress tests new legislation research site

The new Congress.gov is intended to eventually replace the venerable Thomas site, launched in 1995.

People

FAS commissioner position is open

In a shuffling of positions, Steve Kempf will return from medical leave to a new job within GSA, and the agency seeks a new leader for its acquisition service.

Acquisition

OFPP head encourages 'hard line' against unscrupulous contractors

Agencies are investing more in suspension and debarment programs and have taken action more often in recent years on questionable contractors, Joe Jordan says.

Acquisition

OFPP lets DOD deal with pricing complexities first

Officials have to make a judgment call on whether to take the lower price now and potentially pay more later on when problems arise from minimal quality work.

People

Battlefield rotations could be bad for contract management

In war zones, contract personnel are often just getting familiar with their work when it's time to go home.

Cybersecurity

Data-sharing is good ... when agencies do it right

Agencies understand the importance of sharing information, but it still can be difficult to do well. Two new reports document some of the reasons.