FederalDaily - July 12, 2006

Pentagon Remains Vulnerable To Contract Abuse

The Department of Defense (DOD) continues to face “vulnerability” to contracting fraud, waste and abuse, a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) audit said. The Pentagon committed $270 billion in purchases of goods and services from the private sector last year—double the amount a half-decade ago. Despite ongoing reform efforts, DOD remains a leaky boat on several fronts, ranging from frequent changes in leadership to insufficient contract surveillance, the report said. Prosecuted fraud cases alone over the past five years have revealed nearly $500 million in proven losses and brought settlements of $1.5 billion—and the report added that it was “likely” that funds lost to waste and abuse “exceeds those lost from fraud.” To access the full report, go www.gao.gov/new.items/d06838r.pdf.

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FBI, DHS Unveil “Protect Your Workplace” Poster Campaign

The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) July 10 announced the launch of a jointly-produced poster campaign to improve both physical and cyber security in the private and federal workplace. The brightly colored posters offer practical suggestions and warnings on how workers can avoid threats ranging from office break-ins to computer espionage and terrorist attacks. “By hanging these posters in common, highly-trafficked areas, you can raise security awareness and help prevent and reduce crime and terrorism in and around your place of work,” the FBI said. Brochures containing security tips from each of the four posters are also available. To learn more, and view the posters, go to: www.fbi.gov/page2/july06/protect_workplace071006.htm

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Treasury Secretary Paulson Sworn In

Treasury Department employees welcomed a new leader July 10 with the swearing in of incoming Secretary Henry Paulson, formerly the CEO of New York investment powerhouse Goldman Sachs. Paulson replaces outgoing Secretary John Snow. “You're getting a good boss,” President Bush told workers gathered at the ceremony. “You're getting somebody you can work with and respect.” While Paulson is widely viewed as a steady and knowledgeable Wall Street hand, and has been greeted with strong bipartisan approval inside and outside government, it remains to be seen how he will regard federal management and labor issues at his new post.  For more, see remarks made by President Bush at the event, at www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/07/20060710-4.html.

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