People

Chertoff gives DHS CIO more power

The department's CIO will have approval power over the budgets of other CIOs within the department, authority over the hiring and pay levels of CIOs and approval power over other CIOs’ IT investment projects.

People

DOD to improve monitoring of contract performance

The department will issue new rules to address longstanding congressional concerns about awards being paid despite poor performance.

People

GSA names new communications administrator

Edward Blakely replaces David Bethel, who left the job last month to return to private-sector work as a communications consultant.

People

Web page lets soldiers comment on accessing services, benefits

The Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes will examine the processes for combat veterans to gain services and benefits from the VA and other agencies.

People

House committee postpones Doan's hearing

Committee staff members gave no reason for delaying the March 20 hearing, at which the GSA administrator was expected to answer allegations of wrongdoing and misconduct.

People

OFPP: Agencies must validate data for Federal Procurement Data System

The move is in line with Congress' mandate to have a public, searchable Web site listing the government’s contracting and grant information by Jan. 1, 2008.

People

GSA to seek commercial financial management providers

The Financial Systems Integration Office will select vendors from which agencies can choose to provide services under the Financial Management Line of Business consolidation initiative.

People

Survey: Agencies fail to meet E-FOIA mandate

Only one-fifth of agencies fully comply with the law by providing access to four categories of records, according to a recent survey by the National Security Archive.

People

Marines expand IT training options

The Marine Corps wants to make training more network-centric and less product-oriented, said Brig. Gen. George Allen, CIO for the Corps.

People

OMB launches database to identify earmarks

The database opens the federal budget's books to the public for searching.

People

Financial management honors go to NSF, HUD executives

Thomas Cooley and James Martin were recognized for spearheading financial management innovations at their respective agencies.

Cybersecurity

DHS launches national center for computer forensics training

The curriculum will include basic electronic crimes investigation, network-intrusion investigation and computer forensics.

Modernization

Training could be the missing leg of IPv6

Experts say few agencies are paying enough attention to the need for training.

People

Amid fresh allegations, GSA administrator ‘invited’ to testify

GSA’s inspector general has referred one allegation to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel for investigation under the Hatch Act

People

Army tries to sell Land Warrior overseas

Foreign sales could replace funds cut from the program.

People

Anonymous: Why so few skilled managers?

Address the brain drain, and don’t penalize the best people in government for staying.

People

Anonymous survey to help determine acquisition skills

OFPP, the Federal Acquisition Institute and OPM will use the results to help them learn about specialists’ skills and determine gaps and needs.

People

Kelman: The need for a new way

Inspectors general should abandon destructive practices and encourage managed risk-taking.

People

Welles: Looking for a good fight

Conflict at work can be surprisingly productive if managers are open about rules of engagement.

People

Councils propose ethics rule for contractors

Rule would require contract employees to conform to federal ethics standards.