Digital Government

House passes 'red tape' bill

A bill would bar agencies from all significant regulatory action until unemployment falls below 6 percent. But no one can say how long that will take.

Digital Government

Legislator hopes for productive lame-duck session

After the upcoming election, when the citizenry has chosen its new leaders, current lawmakers may finally inch toward compromise on key issues, says Virginia Congressman.

Acquisition

Contract considerations to include treatment of other companies

The Obama administration wants procurement officials to consider how companies treat their business partners as a factor in making contract decisions.

People

GAO can't solve the 'who's cheaper' debate

So who makes more, feds or private-sector workers? What's the better deal, contracting work or using federal employees? GAO says it doesn't know either. Why are these questions so challenging?

Digital Government

Obama opposes bill to halt regulatory changes

The Obama administration stands opposed to a bill that would freeze changes to regulations until the national unemployment rate improves, but House Republicans are pressing on.

People

GSA spends $270k for music, food and picture frames at awards ceremony

GSA's event spending has once again put the agency in Congressional crosshairs -- this time over a $270,000 award ceremony, complete with a violinist and 4,000 elaborate picture frames. This time, however, the agency's leadership may be ahead of the lawmakers.

Digital Government

Mobility push intensifies for e-government

The federal government gets good ratings from citizens for its e-government, but there has been little improvement in the past three years. Is mobility the key to pushing scores higher?

People

Assessing Networx at midlife: Are we there yet?

The transition to the Networx contract, which GSA awarded in 2007, has turned out to be an arduous process marked by slow progress and uncertainty. Will the government finish before the next contract is awarded?

People

GSA's 5 steps to directing customer traffic

GSA officials are building a more flexible Multiple Award Schedules program by directing suppliers to those schedules customers use most often.

Modernization

Data center consolidation success not guaranteed, Sen. Tom Carper warns

Agencies must submit critical aspects of their data center consolidation plans as OMB requires, or the effort could largely be a bust, senator says.

Modernization

Challenges dog data center consolidation efforts

Agencies report successes on data center consolidations, but challenges continue to put hurdles along the path.

People

House trims, then passes, DOD spending bill

As lawmakers passed the defense appropriations bill in the late hours of July 19, they put new scrutiny on the department's spending and cut the actual amount appropriated.

People

Budget cuts, veto risk complicate defense appropriations bill

The House is getting ready to pass the 2013 defense appropriations bill, but the specter of sequestration -- and a possible veto -- loom over the funding plan.

Modernization

GAO: Agencies need standard guide for measuring consolidation

The government risks overspending and missed deadlines without a clear measuring stick for data center consolidations, audit finds.

People

GSA's acting administrator is no mere placeholder

Dan Tangherlini is taking some bold steps at GSA, pushing to improve the agency with tougher oversight and an eye on every penny spent. Does his temporary status jeopardize his chances of making a lasting change?

People

Werfel: New laws could set back transparency efforts

Laws that enhance transparency are good, but only to the point that they don't interfere with efforts already underway, argues OMB's Danny Werfel.

Digital Government

Tangherlini freezes hiring, cancels most bonuses

GSA's new leader is continuing his review of the agency's operations, and says a new ban on bonuses and awards is intended to keep the agency consistent with his goals.

Acquisition

Reverse auction house names new senior officer

FedBid names new officer to leads its efforts in its expanding marketplace.

Modernization

IPv6 Roadmap reflects progress, frames future

The updated roadmap focuses on IPv6 as a continuity of operations issue for agencies that provide citizen services or work with external business partners.

Acquisition

How to make acquisition part of the solution

New OFPP Administrator Joe Jordan talks about making the most of the government's buying power and how to provide cutting-edge solutions for agencies while still maintaining oversight.