Author Archive
Charles S. Clark
Senior Correspondent

Charles S. Clark joined Government Executive in the fall of 2009. He has been on staff at The Washington Post, Congressional Quarterly, National Journal, Time-Life Books, Tax Analysts, the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, and the National Center on Education and the Economy. He has written or edited online news, daily news stories, long features, wire copy, magazines, books, and organizational media strategies.
CXO Briefing
Everyone Dreads Shutdowns, So Why Do They Keep Happening?
The Antideficiency Act is supposed to clarify what happens when Congress fails to pass a budget. But it hasn’t worked out that way.
- By Charles S. Clark
IT Modernization
National Archives Needs Better Handle on Agency Electronic Records, Says Watchdog
Challenges come from outdated technology, uncertain inventory of agencies.
- By Charles S. Clark
CXO Briefing
Agencies Meet Small Business Contract Goals
Eight receive an A+ procurement rating, the Small Business Administration says.
- By Charles S. Clark
CXO Briefing
NASA Managers and Contractors Significantly Lowballed Space Mission Costs, Watchdog Found
Despite cost overruns and schedule delays, the space agency awarded Boeing and Lockheed Martin $200 million in performance awards, GAO noted.
- By Charles S. Clark
IT Modernization
House Passes Revamped Bipartisan IRS Reform Bill
The Taxpayer First Act would redesign the agency and boost identity theft protection.
- By Charles S. Clark
CXO Briefing
Senior Executives Association Teams Up with Freelance Gig Exchange
Collaboration aims to broaden opportunities for agency subject-matter experts.
- By Charles S. Clark
CXO Briefing
Homeland Security Watchdog Issues Unusual Retraction of 13 FEMA Reports
Results of self-criticism to be fewer “feel-good” after-action evaluations.
- By Charles S. Clark
CXO Briefing
Agencies Agree to Do More to Identify Contractors With Tax Debts
GAO tells contracting officers to keep a closer eye, and IRS and GSA agree.
- By Charles S. Clark
CXO Briefing
HHS Accused of 'Censorship' of Obamacare Website Materials
Nonprofit monitor flags 85 removed pages, warns of harm to vulnerable groups.
- By Charles S. Clark
CXO Briefing
FEMA Used Google Rather Than Verified Registry to Fill Hurricane Relief Contracts
Agency that has come under recent scrutiny for handling of contracts rejects IG recommendations.
- By Charles S. Clark
CXO Briefing
'You’ve Had a Rough Year,' Senator Tells Feds at SAMMIE Awards Event
Lankford, co-author of bill to end shutdowns, thanks the federal workforce for its “gift to the country.”
- By Charles S. Clark
CXO Briefing
What Federal Employees Might Want to Know Before Blowing the Whistle to Congress
Volume of disclosures rises when congressional oversight dominates the news, watchdog notes in new primer.
- By Charles S. Clark
Policy
Contractors Advise Lawmakers on How to Reduce Pain During the Next Shutdown
House Democrats’ field hearing spotlights suffering from the most recent lapse in appropriations as message to colleagues.
- By Charles S. Clark
Data
DATA Act Collection Effort Worked Better for Grants Than Contracts
Watchdog found documentation gaps in pilot plan for creating central portal.
- By Charles S. Clark
CXO Briefing
CIA Veteran Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Help China
Jerry Lee took cash “for life” in exchange for delivering secret U.S. intelligence.
- By Charles S. Clark
CXO Briefing
Pentagon Delivers Installment on Plan to Streamline Business Operations
Main goals are accelerating hiring and curbing duplication, as Congress mandated.
- By Charles S. Clark
CXO Briefing
Acting Defense Chief Cleared of Accusations of Ethics Abuse
Shanahan did not tilt decisions to former employer Boeing, IG concludes.
- By Charles S. Clark
IT Modernization
Watchdog: OMB and GSA Need a Better Plan For Shared Payroll Services
GAO says planners lack roadmap to monitor agency roles in switch to new software.
- By Charles S. Clark
Cybersecurity
IRS and Private Partners Tout Success in Combating Identity Theft
Numbers of reported taxpayer victims fell 71 percent from 2015 to 2018.
- By Charles S. Clark
CXO Briefing
Watchdog Questions NSA’s $636 Million in Award Fee Incentive Contracts
Justifications of costs and benefits may not have served government’s interests.
- By Charles S. Clark