People
Academic programs in homeland security make gains, report states
More academic institutions are offering degree and certificate programs in homeland security, but the field lacks standard coursework and core teaching areas, according to a new report.
People
OMB adds to High Risk list
The agency credits better management oversight for the growing number of projects needing special attention.
Acquisition
Acquisition reform proves slow-going, panelists say
The current political environment makes agency officials wary of trying innovative contracting methods, according to a panel at the Executive Leadership Conference.
People
Contracting officers are easy target
Program managers are a large part of the problem with flawed contracts.
People
GAO: DHS lags on tracking incorrect payments
The department needs to develop better risk-assessment plans and follow through with them, according to a new report.
People
White House order puts HHS in charge of biosurveillance efforts
President Bush's order on public health preparedness for a medical emergency says biosurveillance should rely on e-medical records where possible.
People
House seeks WAN services to connect reps, districts
The contract is not set aside for small businesses, but the House urges them to enter a proposal.
People
DOD official orders head count of private security guards
The department will centrally track personal, contract and detailed deployment information on all private security contractors and translators working in Iraq and Afghanistan.
People
Magistrate recommends court order to preserve White House e-mail messages
A judge will decide whether to issue the order after weighing the recommendations and any objections from the government.
Acquisition
Grassley: Sun controversy a sign of deeper contracting problems
GSA officials take issue with the senator's perspective, saying the now-expired contract with Sun was "not the example of contracting irregularities that some have hoped."
People
GSA to award contract for evaluating financial shared-services providers
The agency plans to issue an RFP early next year for testing that shared-services providers are capable of implementing financial management systems.
People
Over-reliance on contractors is nothing new
In response to a story about DHS relying too much on contractors, a long-time fed suggests providing more training and guidance to agency officials who oversee contractors.
Modernization
Letter: Encryption, digital signatures and bandwidth
Government agencies should not underestimate the bandwidth requirements of good security, a reader writes in response to an article on digital signatures.
People
Lawmakers seek more info on P2P security threats
A bipartisan group of 19 members of the House Oversight and Government Reform committee has asked FTC to better define the security risks associated with popular file-sharing technology.
People
Akaka, Davis introduce bill to improve labor/management relations
Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) and Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) have introduced legislation in the Senate and House that would create a labor/management partnership council.
People
Letter: Harsh words for the Defense Travel System
In response to a recent article about DTS, an Air Force reader highlights numerous shortcomings of the software -- and suggests a face-off between the system and a human with a typewriter and phone at hand.
People
Contracting officers need training in critical areas, survey finds
The survey, conducted by OFPP, OPM and other agencies, also finds that many of the best-trained contracting officers are likely to retire in the next 10 years.
People