Friday Morning Federal Newscast – March 11th

The Morning Federal Newscast is a daily compilation of the stories you hear Federal Drive hosts Tom Temin and Amy Morris discuss throughout the show each day. The Newscast is designed to give FederalNewsRadio.com users more information about the stories you hear on the air.

• House Republicans plan to unveil a new, three-week continuing resolution today. It would keep the government operating until April 8. The current CR expires next Friday. The legislation will be up for a vote by the full House on Tuesday, Appropriations Committee Chairman Harold Rogers told Reuters. But he would not detail the spending cuts it will contain. The Wall Street Journal reports the new measure would cut spending levels by two billion dollars in each of its three weeks. Some GOP members are reluctant to add policy riders to the bill. They worry amendments would lessen its chances in the Senate, and increase the potential for a government shutdown.
• White House aides have 90 days to find ways to overhaul federal trade and export agencies. The Washington Post reports, a presidential memo, expected to be signed today, will formally launch a reorganization plan. President Obama said during his State of the Union address that he wanted to revamp 12 trade and export agencies. The process will be led by Office of Management and Budget Deputy Director Jeff Zients and Obama’s former staff secretary, Lisa Brown.
• The Federal Trade Commission doesn’t want to move to the National Gallery of Art. The Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management approved a resolution last month that transfers the FTC headquarters to the National Gallery. The Washington Business Journal reports that Florida Republican Representative John Mica says the transfer would save up to $300 million dollars. But the FTC wants to stay in the historic building that President Franklin Roosevelt dedicated in 1937. GSA Public Buildings Commissioner Bob Peck said he would personally get involved in the standoff – soon.
• HHS is staying put for now. The Department of Health and Human Services will remain in its Parklawn offices under a fifteen year lease. The Washington Business Journal reports the announcement is a blow to Prince George’s County, which was competing with Montgomery County for the agency offices. This might not be the end of the story, though. Maryland Representative Donna Edwards told GSA Public Buildings Commissioner Bob Peck during a hearing that she is concerned this procurement was fraught with problems and could be protested. Peck agreed that protests might happen, but assured lawmakers that the procurement process was fair.
• The Federal Housing Administration is about to lose its commissioner. David Stevens, who guided FHA through the national housing crisis, will step down by the end of April. The Wall Street Journal reports Stevens, with his private-sector background, has been a key White House adviser on housing-finance policy. He is expected to return to the private sector. Stevens’ resignation coincided with a House vote to cancel a signature FHA program for helping troubled homeowners.
• A major financial services contract award is overturned by the Government Accountability Office. Homeland Security gave the $450 million award to firm CACI, but that was contested by Global Computer Enterprises, a company that provides web based financial services to the TSA and Coast Guard. GAO has sided with the protest and overturned the award. GAO is asking DHS to revise their solicitation and conduct a new competition.
• The Commerce Department leads a coalition of seven federal agencies trying to push investment in the green economy. Its Economic Development Administration launches a $12 million dollar grant program. The i6 Green Challenge will award grants to teams with innovative ideas for commercializing alternative energy technologies. Partner agencies are the Agriculture and Energy Departments. Plus the EPA, National Science Foundation, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and Patent and Trademark Office. Commerce cautions, funding is contingent on Congressional approval of the 2011 budget request.

More news links

Honolulu, other parts of Pacific brace for tsunami

Pentagon: All US military in Japan accounted for

FEMA shifts course on flood map modeling

Gates to allies: Don’t rush to Afghan war exits

Top intel official in hot water over blunt remarks

FDA cracks down on J&J sites linked to recalls

Set the clocks ahead this weekend

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** Federal budgets are getting tighter. Where is the money going? And where should contractors be focusing? Insights from market research firm Input about the Obama administration’s key priorities and investment areas.

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