DoD News 
Top News
- Sequestration, budget cuts taking its toll on DoD
- Small companies won't feel effect of lowered contractor pay cap
- GSA trying innovative approaches to disposing of real property
- IRS draws new criticism over $70M employee bonuses
- VA identifying project managers, then improving their skills
- OMB sets new deadlines to improve data on USASpending.gov
- As VA works to eliminate one backlog, one more might emerge
- BRAC-like commission proposed to hunt down government cost savings
- Sequestration claims another conference: DHS' GFirst cyber event
- Postal Service closing Capitol Hill post offices in 'symbolic' move
- Senators seek cost cuts for F-35 fighter jet
- Fed pens new furlough song
- Web guru Dorris brings new life to government websites
- EPA CIO Jackson returning to private sector
- Navy strikes enterprise licensing deal with Oracle
- Contractors with security clearances lack path to report problems
- NSA leak case gives vendors reason to reevaluate personnel
- 8 contract executives guilty of 8(a) contracting fraud
- Whistleblower suit leads to $12M false claims settlement by SAIC
Army will keep tanks rolling out of Ohio plant
A new defense spending plan will keep the nation's only tank manufacturing plant operating through the next two years, ending months of worry about the future of the factory where about 800 workers refurbish the Abrams tanks.
Federal Drive Interviews -- Jan. 9, 2013
Theresa Kern, a member of Women Construction Owners and Executives, discusses a new provision in the 2013 Defense Authorization Bill that helps women-owned, small construction companies. Grant McLaughlin of Booz Allen Hamilton talks about a new social media guide for feds. Alex Bolton of The Hill newspaper previews the upcoming confirmation season. Matthew Zisman of Bloomberg Government talks about new contracts for NASA.
Congress revises DoD's sequestration starting point
When lawmakers and the White House kicked sequestration two months down the road, they also made changes to how the cuts would be calculated. The Pentagon estimates the impact on the Defense budget would be gentler than before.
DoD contractor pays Iraqis held at Abu Ghraib, other sites $5M
Engility Holdings Inc. of Chantilly, whose subsidiary was accused in a lawsuit of conspiring to torture detainees at the infamous Abu Ghraib prison, has paid $5.28 million to former prisoners held there and at other U.S.-run detention sites in Iraq during the war.
Brennan nomination may be held up
Trouble may be looming for President Barack Obama's pick for CIA director. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a member of the Armed Services Committee, says until the administration provides answers on the deadly Sept. 11 assault in Libya that killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans, he's going to delay the confirmation of John Brennan. Graham said the administration has been stone-walling on Benghazi and it has to stop. At issue is the finger-pointing about who changed the talking points concerning what happened in the attack.
GOP senator threatens delay on CIA nomination
President Barack Obama's choice of John Brennan to be the next CIA director hit a snag Tuesday as a Republican senator threatened to delay the nomination until the Obama administration provides answers on the deadly assault in Libya that killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans.
Concern growing in Mali
The Pentagon is preparing small military teams to send to Africa to help deal with growing insurgencies in the Northern part of the continent. In the meantime, officials in Mali say Islamists who seized the northern half of the country are moving closer to areas under government control. The insurgent advance was noted recently as Al-Qaida linked militants used bulldozers and heavy machinery to construct hideouts in the in Northern Mali. Now there's concern they could take over the whole country.
Federal Drive Interviews -- Jan. 8, 2013
Martin Libicki of Rand Corp talks about the 2013 Defense Authorization Bill. Dov Zakheim reviews what DoD Secretary-nominee Chuck Hagel can expect from Congress. Attorney Mark Schamel explains how the Defense Authorization Bill helps off-duty law enforcement agents. Erik Olson of the Pew Health Group discusses new food safety rules issued by the FDA. John Palguta of the Partnership for Public Service previews the SAMMIE nomination process. Katherine McFate discusses OMB Watch's name change.
Deal restores severance pay for military gays
Dozens of gay and lesbian former military service members who were discharged due to their homosexuality will receive the rest of their severance pay under a settlement approved Monday by a federal court.
Uniform changes take place
Marines and sailors assigned to Marine units are required to wear the appropriate seasonal service uniform. American Forces Press is reporting, the designated uniform worn from November to March will be the Service B "Bravos" and from April to October, the Service C "Charlies". The Air Force rescinded its "Blues Monday" policy that had required most airmen to wear the blue uniform every Monday. Neither the Army nor Navy have service wide requirements regarding wear of service uniforms.
Federal Drive Interviews -- Jan. 7, 2013
Jimmy Christianson of the Associated General Contractors of America discusses government construction projects currently underway. Billy House of the National Journal talks about an article he wrote on the new Congress. Roger Waldron, president of the Coalition for Government Procurement, talks about GSA's Multiple Awards Schedule. Tim Solms of Microsoft discusses a new deal his company signed with DoD. Lisa Wolfe of Federal News Radio sheds light on a new website for federal job seekers. Brian Friel of Bloomberg Government talks about the new bill providing federal Sandy relief spending.
Federal Drive Interviews -- Jan. 4, 2013
Certified financial planner talks about Thrift Savings Plan numbers for 2012. Todd Harrison of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments sheds light on DoD's recent shopping spree. Jim Treat of the Census Bureau discusses the Web-first approach to the American Community Survey. Attorney Sandy Hoe discusses a recent case in which a contractor sued the Air Force. Dr. Gerald Dillingham of the GAO talks about possible changes in leadership at the FAA.
Army major pleads guilty to accepting gratuities
A U.S. Army major has pleaded guilty to accepting thousands of dollars in gratuities from contractors while in Iraq.
Reports of air strikes in Myanmar's Kachin State
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced concern about reports of air strikes in Myanmar's Kachin State, A 20-month conflict between government troops and rebels has been escalating in recent days. The hostilities have already caused large-scale displacement of civilians who are in need of humanitarian assistance. Myanmar, formerly known as Burma was under military rule for almost a half century until 2011.
Obama signs $633B defense bill
President Barack Obama signed a $633 billion defense bill for next year despite serious concerns about the limits Congress imposed on his handling of terror suspects and lawmakers' unwillingness to back the cost-saving retirement of aging ships and aircraft.
Federal Drive Interviews -- Jan. 3, 2013
John Kamensky from the IBM Center for The Business of Government talks about two decades of a results-oriented federal performance management system. Allan Holmes of Bloomberg Government discusses the top technology issues facing the government in 2013. Jeffrey Neal of ICF International sheds light on OPM's new guide to executive development. Jacque Simon of AFGE discusses legislation that could freeze federal pay to the end of the year.
Panetta allows general to retire as 3-star
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has permitted a three-star Army general accused of bullying subordinates to retire without a demotion in rank, the Pentagon said Wednesday.
Al Qaida moving into new home
You may find it hard to believe, but Al Qaida elements have been busy the North West Africa country of Mali. They've been using bulldozers, earth movers and other heavy construction equipment left behind by fleeing construction crews to dig an elaborate network of tunnels, trenches, shafts and ramparts into remote desert bases, and in the and cliff faces of northern Mali. US intelligence sources say they're preparing for an attack on their new home by African and Western forces.
Federal Drive Interviews -- Jan. 2, 2013
Brian Friel of Bloomberg Government and Sterling Beard of The Hill newspaper talk about the new bill to delay sequestration and extend tax cuts. Alicia Cackley of the the Government Accountability Office discusses a new report on the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Cary Russell of the GAO outlines the logistical challenges of withdrawing from Afghanistan.
Pentagon debuts float in Rose parade to honor vets
It's been almost 60 years since James McEachin returned home with a bullet still lodged in his chest, finding an America indifferent toward the troops who fought in Korea. Now he will get the homecoming parade he had expected.
