Modernization
IG: GSA must improve information security
Audit says agency must improve contractor oversight and encrypt all mobile devices.
Digital Government
Defense bill includes major contracting reforms
Measure headed to President Bush's desk would increase transparency and competition.
People
OPM updates guidance for HR LOB
Agencies get more details on core functions and best practices under the Human Resources Line of Business initiative.
People
Also in the News: Arizona offers military online voting
AZCentral.com reports that the state will allow military and overseas voters to use online system.
People
DOD authorization bill reinforces competition, transparency, oversight
The bill, now heading to the White House, also calls for a Contingency Contracting Corps to ensure efficiency in urgent contracting.
People
IG to audit contractor award fees at DHS
The DHS inspector general says he will review the department's award fees to contractors and acquisition data management in fiscal 2009.
People
Measure would upgrade IT, oversight at DHS
New authorizing legislation for the Homeland Security Department would give more power to the CIO there and require more contract oversight.
Digital Government
Authorization bill would require NASA to upgrade IT
The space agency would develop technology to allow the public to experience missions to the moon and Mars under a bill passed by the Senate.
People
Letter: Gov't should hold contractors responsible
A reader finds poor government oversight is an issue "The type of contract (pricing arrangement) isn't the problem. Having enough competent government employees to oversee the contractors is."
People
Letter: Readers weigh in on ending cost-plus contracting
Ending cost-plus contracting is not a silver bullet to contracting woes, but trained staff members can still help.
People
Letter: McCain off-base about cost-plus contracts
A reader writes that what can help is to "define the requirement and pay attention to the contractor's performance."
People
Welles: Fiscal year follies
The start of a new fiscal year offers an opportunity for dialogue about what lies ahead.
People
Kelman: How to sustain reforms
Reforms are most sustainable if they change institutions or policy-making, according to a new book.
Digital Government
Staffing, budget woes hobble Homeland Security IT management
Lack of qualified applicants, need for clearances and no budget authority hampers oversight, inspector general reports.
Digital Government
ODNI: Trade-off information security for good intel
Director of National Intelligence issues security directive that could change how agencies build, validate and approve IT systems.
People