Acquisition
Bid protests: Useful tool or abusive practice?
Bid protests may be a necessary way for companies to stand up for their interests, but they also can be a tactic to game the system, according to some analysts.
People
Civilian agencies outpace DOD for spending on ongoing IT maintenance
GAO: Agencies spent 70 percent of a $79 billion IT budget on existing systems in 2011.
Acquisition
Agencies skirted requirement to justify sole-source awards, GAO finds
The fiscal 2010 National Defense Authorization Act requires agencies to submit written justification for awarding sole-source contracts worth more than $20 million to 8(a) firms, but the rule necessary to implement the law was slow in coming.
Digital Government
GAO calls for better management of geospatial data
Agencies are duplicating investments and wasting millions due to poor coordination, report finds.
People
Will protest fees have other costs?
Proposed fee for filing bid protest is small, but could have unintended consequences.
Digital Government
Agencies promise better investment oversight
GAO cites need for better analysis of legacy IT systems and the $54 billion spent running them in FY 2011
Digital Government
GAO raps Defense for transparency
DOD's CIO may have understated the riskiness of some of its IT investments, auditors assert.
Cybersecurity
DHS fights low morale
Homeland Security brings a range of management tools to the effort to cheer up its employees.
People
Memo on CAOs addresses weaknesses
Despite years of effort, agencies are still not using the chief acquisition officer role well, according to an audit. The head of the government's procurement policy agency seeks to change that.
Acquisition
Good directions for strategic sourcing
Steve Kelman assesses recommendations in a recent GAO report on strategic sourcing.
People
GAO confirms Medicare system vastly improved
A system the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services uses to provide data to users about their eligibility has shown marked progress in processing speed and reliability after upgrades, audit finds.
Acquisition
Agencies take action as GAO knocks strategic sourcing effort
After an audit found that agencies have made very little use of strategic sourcing, DOD and other agencies point to some reforms, pledge to make more.
People
Departments missing chance to save big money
A pending report on four key agencies finds less than 5 percent of FY 2011 procurement was managed through strategic sourcing.
People
Missing data hampers contract inventories
Agencies are supposed to maintain contract inventories to give management a clear picture of where their money goes, but some critical data is difficult to get.
Digital Government
Senate votes to lighten GAO workload
A bill that passed the Senate unanimously would take some reports off the audit agency's docket.
Modernization
OPM's Berry finds it 'incredibly crazy' that claims process not automated yet
OPM's retirement claims processing could see a long-awaited makeover in spring 2013, according to the agency's head.
Cybersecurity
GAO, OPM: IT skills gap remains a critical concern
First designated as high risk 11 years ago, human capital management is still on the front burner.
Cybersecurity
DHS’ IT overhaul is paying off, but challenges lie ahead
GAO finds some shortcomings in DHS's information sharing efforts, alomg with budget challenges, that could hamper further progress on the ambitious undertaking.
People
GAO: Agencies rarely use waiver to bring back retired feds at full pay
Rehired federal employees who draw annuity payments could be paid full salaries as well, despite a rule against it, but agencies are rarely using their waiver power, GAO finds.
People