Agency Oversight
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The federal Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) has aided neophyte companies in a variety of domains. The EPA is among the agencies with an active SBIR program. But there's a nagging problem, according to the EPA's office of inspector general: conflicts of interest in SBIR contracts.
July 10, 2023 -
Building on years of efforts across administrations to enhance the federal agency customer experience, President Biden has signaled a clear call to action to agencies. The goal: To reimagine how government services are provided to ensure it is of the people, by the people and for the people.
July 07, 2023 -
It's perfectly legal for federal agencies to make grants to foreign entities. Research and scientific good can come of it. But it requires oversight. The Government Accountability Office looked at how the Health and Human Services Department, and in particular the National Institutes of Health, oversees foreign grants, or money that went to grant sub-recipients in foreign countries, like China.
July 05, 2023 -
The Postal Service is outlining sweeping changes to its transportation and delivery network across the country, with a focus on growing its shipping and package business.
July 03, 2023 -
Financial institutions that use the electronic Consent Based SNN Verification system say it's working well, but are balking at a steep increases in fees.
June 30, 2023 -
While it is not uncommon for Congress to intervene when federal programs are not serving the public interest, it is unfortunate that a new law must be considered to fix the misguided implementation of "eIVES."
June 29, 2023 -
In today's Federal Newscast, the General Services Administration’s Login.gov service continues to be in the crosshairs of House lawmakers.
June 26, 2023 -
Homeland Security isn't the only department dealing with an ongoing border crisis. Health and Human Services has a big job too. It's Office of Refugee Resettlement has struggled with the task of making sure unaccompanied children are properly taken care of. It's got a mixed record.
June 26, 2023 -
Fragmentation, duplication and overlap. There is too much of it in government programs. It degrades economy and efficiency. Each year the Government Accountability Office (GAO) details instances of multiple agencies doing the same thing. This year GAO found what if calls "100 new matters for congressional consideration."
June 22, 2023 -
In today's Federal Newscast: Military service members will soon get reimbursed for moving expenses for their pets. A bill advancing in Congress could mean $63 billion for the Department of Homeland Security and 22,000 Border Patrol agents. And the Homeland Security IG is being probed again about his deleted text messages.
June 22, 2023 -
New OMB guidance tells agencies how to implement the new Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports Act, which requires most reports to Congress to be made public via a free web portal.
June 21, 2023 -
In today's Federal Newscast: The Pentagon IG wants an investigation to find out what happened to 21 vanished shipping containers in Kuwait. The deputy secretary at Homeland Security is retiring and heading to Atlanta. And NASA and Microsoft joined forces with young people in a big DC STEM space, with an eye toward space.
June 21, 2023 -
The Government Accountability Office is telling Congress that better management of existing federal programs could save billions of dollars in the coming years.
June 19, 2023 -
I spoke with Tekla Colon, Director-Mission Support Audits in NASA's IG office to discuss the agency's DEIA efforts.
June 16, 2023 -
The State Department's modernizing program includes a news emphasis on data, what is called, Data for Diplomacy. State gives annual awards to employees who advance the use of data to improve things. Federal Drive host Tom Temin's guest was recognized for how he identified challenges in collecting data about foreign assistance.
June 14, 2023