Finds that NASA’s research will assist the Federal Aviation Administration in safely integrating drones or unmanned aerial systems into the national airspace, but criticizes the agency for loose handling of procurement and unauthorized acquisition of UAS assets. From the Office of the Inspector General of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Executive order stating that federal agencies should require (or show a preference for) the purchase of goods and materials produced in the U.S. and should “Hire American” workers by enforcing rigorously the laws governing entry into the U.S. Also calls for the reforming of H-1B visa program. From the White House
https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-requests-proposals-border-wall-prototypes
Announcement of two Requests for Proposal to award contracts and initial task orders for the design and construction of wall prototypes to carry out the presidential executive order to construct a physical wall along the southern border of the U.S. From the U.S. Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security
http://www.gao.gov/assets/690/683273.pdf
Contracting for data analysis products and services accounted for 40% of the government’s discretionary spending in FY2015. This report identifies trends in civilian and defense agencies’ contract obligations from FY2011-FY2015. From the Government Accountability Office
http://www.defense.gov/Portals/1/Documents/pubs/Performance-of-Defense-Acquisition-System-2016.pdf
Includes background material on spending levels and trends, analyzes performance outcomes from various perspectives, discusses factors behind cost growth, and concludes with information about contract bid-protest rates and trends in improving contractor audits. From the Under Secretary of Defense, Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics
http://fas.org/sgp/obama/nap3-new.pdf
Announces several new initiatives to those already introduced with the Third Open Government National Action Plan in October 2015. Among the new initiatives: supporting global Internet connectivity, open contracting, harnessing the data revolution for sustainable development, and promoting greater transparency in delivery of foreign assistance. From the White House, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.
http://jlarc.virginia.gov/pdfs/reports/Rpt482.pdf
Finds that 10% of contracts analyzed fell significantly short of meeting agency expectations and almost two-thirds were slightly behind schedule, over budget, or did not meet agency needs. From the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission
Reports on the outcome of an investigation by Democratic Congressional staff members on alleged interference by the National Football League in attempting to influence the selection of research applicants for federal brain research funding. From the Minority Staff of the House Energy and Commerce Committee