People

Letter: Outsourcing security is a bad idea

A reader argues that it makes more sense for civil service employees to handle security rather than spending their time training and overseeing contractors.

People

GAO: Forest Service falls down on competitive-sourcing job

Also, the USDA agency couldn't provide statistics to support its claim that it saved more than $38 million between 2004 and 2006.

People

Letter: Degree required for acquisition workers

Regarding "In search of contracting officers": "...eliminate the requirement of a college degree... ." Did he really utter those words?

People

Case closed after DHS drops labor relations plan

After DHS promised to drop its plans to revamp some labor regulations, a federal district court closed a case between the department and unions that opposed the plans.

People

Government accountants: Taxpayers distrust federal financial reporting

Some taxpayers say accurate government financial information is important, can influence votes.

People

Letter: USPTO has 'hoteling' program, not a flexible telework program

Many other patent professionals would prefer to keep their agency office space and have the flexibility to telework for two days per week, as the article showed one USPTO manager doing -- but the agency refuses to allow thousands of rank and file employees to do so.

People

Letter: Finding truth in exit interview unlikely

Procurement is a small world, and it doesn't take long for news to travel. So why would someone commit "career suicide" and tell why they're really leaving.

People

Letter: Step increases provide little financial boost in NSPS system

To me, these articles/blogs are very informative. But those of us who are in the lower [General Schedule] grades, who have reached step 10 receive nothing, other than the locality pay at the beginning of the year.

People

State gets new CIO

Susan Swart has taken over as the department's chief information officer.

People

Get a Life!: Hey, thanks

None

People

Letter: NSPS misinterpreted

Some organizations in Europe have jumped on the NSPS bandwagon, only to change their minds later, one reader reports.

People

DHS' Church moving back to industry

Charles Church, director and CIO for the National Protection and Programs Directorate, will join ACS as vice president of homeland security and defense.

People

Letter: Walker will be missed

A reader praises the comptroller general for listening to employees and upholding sound fiscal management practices.

People

DHS responds to congressional criticism of Charbo promotion

Secretary Michael Chertoff details the former CIO's successes and leadership skills.

People

Bush administration calls for health IT to control costs

As part of a bill designed to cut costs, the administration could require doctors and hospitals to use electronic health records in treating Medicare patients.

People

Letter: OPM should say what it means

OPM says it takes five years for a pay-for-performance system to be successful because that’s how long it takes for knowledgeable employees to retire or give up fighting for a fair system, according to one reader.

People

FedSource has problems with DOD task orders, IG says

The Treasury Department’s acquisition service made mistakes when it helped the Defense Department make purchases in fiscal 2006, according to a report from DOD’s inspector general.

People

DHS abandons efforts to implement new labor relations rules

In a court filing, the Homeland Security Department said it would not revise labor relations provisions relating to its new personnel system before its statutory authority to implement the system ends.

People

Letter: Walker's human-capital changes unsuccessful

Hopefully in his new job he will not continue to promote himself as a 'human capital expert' after the mess he made at GAO, leading to the first union in the agency's history.