Acquisition
Contracting bill would settle debate over including political donations in bids
A House committee approves a bill that would ban agencies from requiring political contribution infromation in contract bids.
People
House tightens controls on conference spending
The DATA Act digs deep into agencies’ conference spending with quarterly reports.
Cybersecurity
Debate kindles as Congress takes up the latest controversial cybersecurity bill
Like SOPA and PIPA before it, CISPA is raising fears of privacy loss.
Modernization
DOD urges relaxed satellite controls
Momentum for satellite export reform is stalled by the complex and technical nature of the issue.
Modernization
CBO, NASA and White House add to growing infographics trend
Sophisticated infographics are growing in popularity on the Web, and federal agencies are joining in.
People
More senators take aim at conference spending
Several senators are advocating for reforms to agencies' annual spending on conferences, including proving that the conference advanced the ageny's mission.
Digital Government
Senator wants approvals for conference spending
Under a forthcoming bill, a senior agency official would have to give approval for any conference costing more than $200,000.
Acquisition
Contracting reforms could come in the next defense authorization bill
Rep. Sam Graves, whose Small Business Committee already approved eight small-business contracting reform bills, is asking for similar measures to appear in the fiscal 2013 National Defense Authorization Act.
Digital Government
Issa scolds IG about slow reporting
Issa's oversight committee regularly receives updates from IGs, but not from GSA IG Miller regarding his investigation of the lavish Western Regions Conference.
Modernization
Transparency groups say THOMAS legislative website is outdated
The Library of Congress' THOMAS system for researching current legislation is behind the times, according to more than two dozen watchdog groups.
Digital Government
How the Vegas conference fiasco could spell disaster for feds
The General Services Administration conference debacle comes at a time when feds' pay and benefits are under attack, and the last thing feds need is for the public to associate federal employees with wasteful bureaucrats.
Digital Government
A senator's inauspicious rise
Former Sen. George Mitchell recalls his first day in Congress.
Cybersecurity
Senator knocks government spending on contractors
Federal spending on contractor services is out of control and must be reined in, according to Sen. Claire McCaskill.
Cybersecurity
Industry cybersecurity efforts fall short, experts say
Officials stop short of calling for government regulation of industry cybersecurity but tell a House panel, "It's not working."
People
Zients: Why streamlining government makes sense
Senior official at OMB lays out why reorganization authority is "common sense and good management."
Cybersecurity
House Republicans issue answer to Senate cybersecurity bills
Reps. Mary Bono Mack and Marsha Blackburn unveil the House's version of a cybersecurity bill that mirrors Senate Republicans' SECURE IT Act.
Modernization
GAO sting operation exposes pervasive counterfeit parts problem
GAO finds it's all too easy to get fake electronics for military weapons systems.
People
Democrats' budget spares feds, ends sequestration
The Democrats' budget plan is a "clear contrast" to one proposed by the Republicans.
Cybersecurity
Congress to overhaul federal cybersecurity laws
Congress is asking for input as it overhauls the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002.
Acquisition