Business
Nearly 8 out of 10 'Small' Federal Contractors Are Actually Giants
Nearly 80 percent of the companies receiving small business federal contracts last year were anything but 'small businesses.' By Charles S. Clark
Ideas
If the Pentagon Buys Less, It Needs to Invest More
If the military is supposed to use the peace to prepare for the next war, it has to spend more on research & development. By Gen. Norton A. Schwartz and Col. Tom Harrison
Ideas
How to Fix the Government's Security Clearance Mess
We need to continuously monitor who has top secret clearance. Here’s how. By Steve Nguyen
Business
Competition Is Declining in Pentagon-Awarded Contracts
Three years after setting goals for competitively-bid contracts, the Defense Department has failed to meet even one of those goals. By Katherine McIntire Peters
Business
The Intelligence Community Needs to Keep Better Tabs on Its Contractors
Decreasing the intelligence community's reliance on contractors could save money and cut bureaucratic inefficiencies. But first, tracking methods will have to improve. By Charles S. Clark
Business
Pentagon Ranks Top 30 DOD Suppliers
The Defense Department’s acquisition chief released a ranking of the top 30 supplier units within the contracting industry to help spark competition. By Charles S. Clark
Business
Pure Home-State Politics Behind Russian Helicopter Opposition
Pressure is building to halt a Pentagon deal with a Russian state arms dealer to supply aircraft for the Afghan Air Force. By Billy House
Business
The Pentagon Can't Buy All Its F-35s for $390.4 Billion
The latest downbeat watchdog report finds software woes likely to delay F-35 further. By Charles S. Clark
Ideas
Why Aircraft Carrier Workers Deserve a Better Plan from the Pentagon
Predictable and stable work is what the aircraft carrier industrial base needs. By Rick Giannini and Darrell Grow
Business
Hagel Orders 'Troubling Gaps' Closed in DOD Background Checks, May Cut Clearances
Navy Yard shooting reviews prompt tougher ‘continuous evaluation’ of secret clearances. By Ben Watson and Kevin Baron
Science & Tech
Boeing Is Making a Spy Phone That Self Destructs
Calling James Bond. Boeing is making a spy phone called 'Black" that will self destruct if someone tries to hack into it. By Nick Stockton
Science & Tech
75 Percent of DOD Contractors Upped IT Security After Snowden
A survey finds firms restricting access and increasing education after the Snowden leaks. By Aliya Sternstein
Business
Pentagon: F-35 Software Remains Seriously Flawed
The $397 billion F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program suffers from such severe software problems that it could not conduct operational missions today. By Bob Brewin
Threats
WANTED: A Company Willing to Help Destroy Syria’s Chemical Weapons
Stuck with a stockpile and no place to put it, the organization in charge of destroying Syria’s chemical weapons is asking the private sector to help out. By Marina Koren
Business
Pentagon Wants Contractors to Protect Industry Secrets From Hackers
Newly finalized regulations would force contractors to take measures to secure unclassified networks while also notifying authorities of any breaches. By Aliya Sternstein
Policy
Now Contractors Furloughed During the Shutdown Could Receive Back Pay
Proposed legislation would allow low-wage contract workers to receive wages for the 16 days the federal government was shuttered. By Eric Katz
Business
Pentagon's Kendall: Budget Climate 'Worst I’ve Seen' for Planning
The DOD's top weapons buyer says that uncertainty is threatening the workforce 'and their ability to do their jobs.' By Charles S. Clark
Business
Budget Cuts Put Acquisition Reform Back in the Spotlight
While the Defense Department grapples with budget cuts and sequestration, the House Armed Services Committee sets its sights once again on acquisition reform. By Charles S. Clark
Business
DOD Awarded $6 Billion in Shutdown Contracts
While the government was closed the Pentagon bought radios for Saudi Arabia, Aegis missile parts and more. By Bob Brewin
Business