Tuesday Morning Federal Newscast – Nov. 2nd

DCAA raises review bar, Lockheed completes Census task under budget

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.

  • The Defense Contract Audit Agency is setting new dollar thresholds for reviews of Pentagon procurements. That could reduce the amount of the number of audits they conduct. An internal memo says that in most cases, DCAA will accept requests for audit help only for fixed-price proposals of more than $10 million. The threshold for cost-type proposals is $100 million. The memo was first made public by the Project on Government Oversight. A Pentagon spokesperson cited in GovExec says the change will actually save money, because it will allow the audit agency to focus on high-risk areas.
  • Lockheed Martin has finished processing more than 165 million census forms and they’ve done it under budget. The company says it has made its final set of deliveries to the Census Bureau. Lockheed’s contract with the agency included capturing and standardizing data for the 2010 population count. At one point, the company processed 2.5 million forms every 24 hours. They also staffed a call center, answering more than 4 million calls.
  • U.S. intelligence officials back in September intercepted several packages headed to Chicago from Yemen. ABC news reports, the packages contained books, papers, CDs and other household items. Officials believe that shipment might have been a test run for the explosives discovered last week in Britain and Dubai. The New York Times adds, intelligence sources believe the hour-by-hour location tracking offered by shipping companies may have been used by terrorists to plan the route and timing for eventual explosions.
  • The FCC is inviting programmers to help with a new legal mandate aimed at helping people with disabilities. The agency will host its first Open Developer Day on November 8th. They’re targeting programmers who can help them build an online clearinghouse to make it easy for people with disabilities to find information about accessible technologies. The clearinghouse is required by the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, which the president signed last month.
  • Google has sued the Interior Department over a solicitation for a new e-mail system. Google says Interior’s criteria are written to favor Microsoft. The suit cites Interior’s requirement for the new system to include Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite. That effectively prevents a bid from Google, says the suit. Google publishes a competing product called Google Apps. Interior is seeking one online mail system to replace 13 systems now used by 88,000 employees. The suit was filed in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
  • SunPower will help build a 6-megawatt solar power system at the United States Air Force Academy. The California based company will work with Colorado Springs Utilities on the project. The Denver Business Journal reports that construction will begin this month on the 30-acre site. The project should be done by next summer. Utility officials say the system should help create local jobs and reduce the demand for fossil fuels. No word on the cost of the deal. The project is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
  • OPM has introduced a new workforce plan for hiring federal veterinarians. Director John Berry says vets in the federal government play a crucial role ensuring food safety and in helping disaster response. He says the government is facing a shortage. The strategic workforce plan for veterinary medical officers sets new goals, including better recruiting and retention. The plan covers a four year period, beginning next year.

More news links

Energy initiatives, space capabilities top priorities for Air Force (AF.mil)

IBM Launches Federal Community Cloud for Government Organizations (press release)

Navy Pushes E-Leave System (NextGov)

Groups challenge transfer of Los Alamos lab waste

Boeing lifts 20-year China jet sales forecast

iPhone gives Europe extra hour of sleep (CNN)

THIS AFTERNOON ON FEDERAL NEWS RADIO

Coming up today on The DorobekInsider:

** The Army’s EAGLE contract. There are a lot of questions swirling around — even questions about how big it will be. We’ll get an Army EAGLE reality check with Ray Bjorklund of Fed Sources

** And does government suck? The government doesn’t suck rally took place this weekend. We’ll talk to one of the organizers

Join Chris from 3 to 7 pm on 1500 AM or on your computer.

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