FederalDaily - June 3, 2005

OPM Checks SSA Records before Issuing Benefits

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced its computer matching program with the Social Security Administration (SSA) in the June 1 issue of the Federal Register. The purpose of this match is to establish the conditions for disclosure of Social Security benefit information to OPM via direct computer link for the administration of programs by the Retirement Services Programs. OPM is legally required to offset specific benefits by a percentage of benefits payable under the Social Security Act. The matching will enable OPM to compute benefits at the correct rate and determine eligibility for benefits. The SSA records will be used in a matching program with OPM's records on surviving spouses who may be eligible to receive a Supplementary Annuity, disability retirees and child survivor annuitants, under the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). The benefits payable to these recipients are offset if paid while also in receipt of SSA benefits.

:: Back to Top ::

DoD Reviews Tanker Contracting Personnel

The Department of Defense (DoD) announced that its inspector general (IG) completed a review of personnel involved in the Boeing KC-767A tanker program, a program which was tainted by biased contracting practices. The IG report made several recommendations involving changes and revisions in acquisition, leasing, procurement and management procedures and policies. Other reviews, undertaken at the initiative of DoD officials, include two Defense Science Board studies; the National Defense University’s study of lessons learned from the proposed lease of KC-767 tanker aircraft; the Defense Acquisition University’s review of acquisition regulations and other acquisition-related authorities; two audits of the proposed lease of tanker aircraft; and a review of all contract actions in which Darleen Druyun (the contract officer for the tanker program) was involved.

:: Back to Top ::

Troops Warned Against Misusing Computers

Servicemembers who get caught misusing government computer systems can face disciplinary actions and possible courts-martial. Violations committed by servicemembers include accessing pornographic content, sending chain e-mails and using peer-to-peer file sharing programs, including sites such as Napster, according to Sgt. Kenneth L. Charity, an information assurance technician at Marine Corps Base Camp Butler in Okinawa, Japan. Accessing commercial e-mail services on government computer systems is also unauthorized. According to Charity, viewing chain e-mails, accessing pornographic Web sites and using peer-to-peer file sharing programs leaves the system open to unauthorized programs and viruses. Also, by using the network to access sites outside of the prescribed authorization, users can adversely affect the bandwidth used by all government computers on a base.

:: Back to Top ::

Pentagon Shows BRAC Information

Department of Defense (DoD) officials on June 1 opened a secure reading room containing more information on DoD’s base realignment and closure (BRAC) recommendations. This action came after several senators complained that they did not have all DoD’s information used in making its BRAC recommendations. The room is open to the BRAC commission, members of Congress and their staffs with secret security clearances. Hours of operation are from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. The information in the secure reading room includes minutes from the two senior oversight groups and minutes from the joint cross-service groups and the military departments. Data collected to support capacity, military value and scenario development and analyses also will be provided, along with BRAC process guidance memoranda, according to DoD. The department said it also is working with the House and Senate to set up secure reading rooms on Capitol Hill.

:: Back to Top ::