Modernization
GAO: Trusted shipping program needs work
Auditors say Customs and Border Protection needs to improve the technology behind the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program.
People
TSA to follow FAR and DHS acquisition regs
Until now, the Transportation Security Administration had been following procurement regulations used by the Federal Aviation Administration.
People
House passes bill with contracting reforms
A defense authorization bill gets a package: four contracting bills and other provisions in a clean contracting amendment. The House passed the amendment and the bill May 22.
Acquisition
Letter: Contracting officer wants to participate in policy talks
A contracting officer recognizes his experience and insider view of the contracting process and wants to share that perspective with lawmakers.
People
NASA blogger suspended for Hatch Act violation
The Office of the Special Counsel found that a Johnson Space Center employee violated the Hatch Act by writing politically oriented e-mail messages and blog postings at work.
Acquisition
Letter: GSA officials should improve schedules program by learning from mistakes
A reader says several reports were written revealing GSA's schedules program problems during a 17-year span.
Digital Government
TSA contracting exemption to end next month
Agency will have to follow Federal Acquisition Regulation beginning June 23.
Digital Government
Mars lander communications successfully linked
NASA uses system of more than 100,000 lines of software code to direct Phoenix spacecraft and explore the Red Planet.
People
Key lawmakers impatient for security clearance reform
An OPM official said the agency's investigative services program has adequate funding to bring commercial IT into the clearance process.
People
Roosevelt scholarships would help fill mission-critical positions
House lawmakers have introduced a bill that would provide scholarships to graduate students in exchange for at least three years of federal service.
People
Letter: Agencies should reward savings in business case development
A reader says skill, training and practice are needed to develop a business case.
People
Letter: Handling business cases difficult in practice
A reader writes that the Office of Management and Budget's definition of an acceptable business case varies yearly.
Acquisition