{Image: GovExec.com}
The Management Agenda
August 24, 2004
This weekly e-newsletter from Government Executive magazine focuses on federal
agencies' efforts to improve workforce management, fix financial problems, launch
e-government initiatives, put federal jobs up for competition, and link performance to
budgets. Forward this e-mail to your colleagues and encourage them to sign up to get
their own copy at:
{ Link: http://www.govexec.com/email }
http://www.govexec.com/email.
You can also view this newsletter at: { Link:
http://www.govexec.com/email/management.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/email/management.htm
_____
_____
Brought to you by Citrix
{ Link:
http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;10265920;5622871;d?http://i.nl03.net/ltr0/?_m=19.004x.f.mfm.3
}
{Image: Brought to you by Citrix}
Recent events in the United States and around the world have made it clear that
Americans are no longer immune from terrorism. In the face of threats to homeland
security, first responders need fast access to a variety of information resources
spread across many agencies and departments. To expedite an efficient response to
terrorist threats, Citrix access infrastructure solutions provide secure, authorized,
real-time access to critical information on demand regardless of location.
{ Link:
http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;10265920;5622871;d?http://i.nl03.net/ltr0/?_m=19.004x.f.mfm.3
}
CLICK HERE to download the NEW Homeland Security whitepaper from Citrix.
_____
_____
In this issue:
* Senior Defense contracting officer, three others, indicted for corruption
* EPA slow to carry out plan for improving grants management
* FBI chief struggling to turn rhetoric into action
* Senate chairman unveils intelligence reform proposal
* GAO cautions Pentagon on outsourcing weapons system maintenance work
* Senators question FBI progress on reforms since 9/11 attacks
* Senior executives fear new salary rules will roll back job protections
* Agencies stand to lose money over telework eligibility
* Chairman of 9/11 commission calls on Pentagon to support reform
* Study finds positive impression of federal government workers
* This week's column: Outlook
* Quote of the week
_____
1. Senior Defense contracting officer, three others, indicted for corruption
By Katherine McIntire Peters
The U.S. Attorney's Office and the Defense Department on Friday announced that Kevin
Marlow, a senior contracting officer at the Defense Information Systems Agency was
among four people indicted in a contracting scam.
Thirty-four of 68 counts in the public corruption indictment focused on Marlow, who
allegedly had a secret financial interest in Vector Systems Inc., a small firm based
in Harrisburg, Pa. Marlow used a government purchase card to award over $11 million in
contracts to the company between 1998 and 2002, according to a statement released by
the Defense Department.
Also indicted in the scam were Frederick and Stephanie Marlow, relatives of Kevin
Marlow, and Vector Systems owner James Kloss, who allegedly paid the Marlows $500,000
in cash and provided other benefits to the family.
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/082004kp1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/082004kp1.htm
_____
2. EPA slow to carry out plan for improving grants management
By Amelia Gruber
The Environmental Protection Agency is running behind schedule on a plan to ensure
that grant recipients spend money wisely, according to recent research by the
Government Accountability Office.
Agency officials are off to a slow start implementing a five-part strategy for
improving grants management, devised in spring 2003, GAO found in a report prepared
for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and
Environment (GAO-04-983T). For instance, the EPA won't finish guidelines to help
managers measure the environmental benefits reaped from grant money, scheduled for
release in 2003, until the fall.
In the meantime, EPA grants managers have followed interim guidelines requiring them
to show that award money is spent on projects that further the agency's overall
mission. But the temporary rules don't require administrators to assess whether grants
are directly helping achieve specific improvements to the environment, GAO noted.
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/082304a1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/082304a1.htm
_____
3. FBI chief struggling to turn rhetoric into action
By Siobhan Gorman, National Journal
In just a month, the 9/11 commission's 567-page tome has shaken the walls of the
so-called intelligence "community," electrified the presidential campaign, shamed a
vacationing Congress into action, and jolted President Bush into nominating a new head
for the leaderless CIA. Yet, even as terror alerts mount, one agency has been calmly
and quietly riding out the report's political aftershocks: the Federal Bureau of
Investigation.
Despite its pre-9/11 mistakes and continuing problems, the FBI has emerged essentially
unscathed, thanks to the savvy salesmanship of its director, Robert Mueller, who has
mounted a steady and sustained lobbying campaign to convince those outside the FBI
that the bureau can and should be trusted to be the nation's top domestic intelligence
agency. "The [CIA's] Directorate of Operations has been grumbling mightily about that
-- that the FBI has gotten off the hook," says a former Directorate of Operations
official who talks regularly with his ex-colleagues there. "There is angst and
gnashing of teeth and wailing."
Mueller's survival strategy is a mix of personality and pre-emption. He listens. He's
deferential. He admits the bureau has made mistakes and has shortcomings. And perhaps
most important, he keeps careful watch on which way the political winds are blowing
and then proposes solutions to perceived problems before other solutions can be
foisted upon him.
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/082304nj1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/082304nj1.htm
_____
4. Senate chairman unveils intelligence reform proposal
By Mike Nartker, Global Security Newswire
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Sunday unveiled a sweeping
new intelligence reform proposal that would transfer sections of the CIA and
intelligence agencies controlled by the Defense Department to the direct control of a
new national intelligence director.
As described by the senator on CBS's "Face the Nation" and in media reports Monday,
Roberts' proposal envisions a national intelligence director that would oversee all 15
agencies that make up the U.S. intelligence community. The new director would have
full budgetary and personnel authority for the agencies, including the ability to
reprogram and transfer funding and line item budget authority.
Roberts has also proposed that the director lead a new National Intelligence Service,
which would be made up of existing sections of the CIA and several intelligence
agencies controlled by the Pentagon. Four deputy directors would be directly in charge
of collection, analysis, military support and research and technology branches,
according to reports.
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/082304gsn1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/082304gsn1.htm
_____
5. GAO cautions Pentagon on outsourcing weapons system maintenance work
By George Cahlink
The Defense Department should take a more cautious approach to outsourcing maintenance
work for weapons systems, according to a new Government Accountability Office report.
The Pentagon has been pushing the services to use more performance-based contracts for
the maintenance of weapons systems. Under those deals, the military would hire a
contractor to manage and maintain weapon systems for a predetermined, fixed price.
Defense has said those contracts would mirror what the private sector already does to
support its most complex equipment.
GAO found, however, that most large companies did not use performance-based contracts
for large equipment because the systems complexity discourages competition and may
even be more expensive. GAO noted companies used performance-based contracts for
smaller, less complex systems, which often are awarded without competition because few
companies can do that work.
"DoD's proposed approach to implementing performance-based logistics could limit
opportunities for achieving cost-savings from competition, volume discounts and
reduced administrative costs," stated the report, "Opportunities to Enhance the
Competition of Performance-Based Logistics" (GAO-04-715).
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081904g1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081904g1.htm
_____
_____
Brought to you by Citrix
{ Link:
http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;10265920;5622871;d?http://i.nl03.net/ltr0/?_m=19.004x.f.mfm.3
}
{Image: Brought to you by Citrix}
Recent events in the United States and around the world have made it clear that
Americans are no longer immune from terrorism. In the face of threats to homeland
security, first responders need fast access to a variety of information resources
spread across many agencies and departments. To expedite an efficient response to
terrorist threats, Citrix access infrastructure solutions provide secure, authorized,
real-time access to critical information on demand regardless of location.
{ Link:
http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;10265920;5622871;d?http://i.nl03.net/ltr0/?_m=19.004x.f.mfm.3
}
CLICK HERE to download the NEW Homeland Security whitepaper from Citrix.
_____
_____
6. Senators question FBI progress on reforms since 9/11 attacks
By Chris Strohm
Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee questioned whether the FBI has made enough
progress on reforms since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks during a hearing Thursday.
The hearing was held to consider recommendations by the 9/11 commission, which has
proposed sweeping reforms within the U.S. intelligence community. Commission members
believe the FBI is heading in the right direction under Director Robert Mueller, but
worry that reforms will not stick if there are leadership changes at the bureau.
"The commission's report strikes several familiar chords, showing we have much ground
yet to cover before we can say the FBI is as effective as Americans need the bureau to
be in preventing and combating terrorism," said Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., committee
ranking member.
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081904c1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081904c1.htm
_____
7. Senior executives fear new salary rules will roll back job protections
By Shawn Zeller
The Senior Executives Association is lobbying Tom Davis, R-Va., chairman of the House
Government Reform Committee, to urge the Office of Personnel Management to revise new
regulations governing agency performance management systems.
SEA President Carol Bonosaro said she hopes Davis will intervene with OPM so that the
new rules will provide an annual cost-of-living adjustment for senior executives who
receive a rating of at least "fully successful."
Under regulations issued last month, agencies can use their discretion in determining
whether or not to award raises to any executives. "It makes no sense," says Bonosaro.
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081904sz1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081904sz1.htm
_____
8. Agencies stand to lose money over telework eligibility
>From National Journal's Technology Daily
A number of federal entities stand to lose as much as $5 million each if they do not
certify that their workers are eligible for teleworking, but the government has not
clearly defined "certification" other than to ask agencies to sign a document stating
that they have made the option of teleworking available to all employees.
The Office of Personnel Management is using the document to compile an annual survey
of agencies' progress on the matter.
A provision in the House appropriations bill for fiscal 2005 for the Commerce, Justice
and State departments and other agencies said they must certify that they have made
telework an option for their employees by 2004.
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081804tdpm1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081804tdpm1.htm
_____
9. Chairman of 9/11 commission calls on Pentagon to support reform
By Chris Strohm
The chairman of the 9/11 commission last week said he sensed resistance to
governmental reform coming from the Pentagon and called for a unified effort to make
needed changes.
"Reorganizing government is very, very hard. We recognized that when we made the
recommendation and we made the decision to [recommend] it anyway, because it's the
right thing to do," the panel's chairman, Thomas Kean, a former Republican governor
from New Jersey, told Government Executive. Kean said he sensed that the Pentagon's
leadership was resisting some of the commission's recommendations for overhauling the
intelligence community.
"I know that any time you move around power, you have resistance," he added. "We
believe that people have to work together. There has to be a unified intelligence
effort, and we believe we've recommended the right way to do that. But everybody's got
to participate,and everybody's got to be part of it, including the Defense Department."
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081804c2.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081804c2.htm
_____
10. Study finds positive impression of federal government workers
By David McGlinchey
Most Americans view the federal government positively, but there still are some
enduring stereotypes that must be dispelled, according to a study released Wednesday
by the Partnership for Public Service.
"Despite long-standing negative stereotypes about government work, the research shows
that Americans have a favorable impression of the federal government," according to
the report, A New Call to Service in an Age of Savvy Altruism. "Our research found
that more than 62 percent of the American people we surveyed view the federal
government favorably, and 91 percent say that the jobs and duties of federal
government workers are 'important' in their lives."
The report found also that future federal recruiting should advertise the opportunity
to help others and advance a career. The report called this "idealism that takes you
places."
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081804d1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081804d1.htm
_____
11. This week's column: Outlook
The Reformation
Overhauls to the acquisition system during the past decade have made it work better.
Full column: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/082304op.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/082304op.htm
_____
12. Quote of the Week:
"Despite long-standing negative stereotypes about government work, the research shows
that Americans have a favorable impression of the federal government."
-- A { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081804d1.htm }
new report from the Partnership for Public Service finds the federal workforce fares
well in public opinion.
_____
In the Mailbag
Read what federal employees are saying about the Navy Marine Corps Intranet program,
competitive sourcing and the Thrift Savings Plan.
Click here: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/mailbag.cfm }
http://www.govexec.com/mailbag.cfm
_____
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
To unsubscribe from The Management Agenda e-newsletter
visit this link http://tma-media.com/uzAAGvpwAAQQ4B
Note: It may take our system up to two business days
to process your unsubscribe request and during that time
you may receive one or two more newsletters.
Thank you for reading GovExec.com.
This message was sent from GovExec.com to e-mail address
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
$9.95 domain names from Yahoo!. Register anything.
http://us.click.yahoo.com/J8kdrA/y20IAA/yQLSAA/BCfwlB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kumpulan/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
