Federal Contracts: Agencies Widely Used Indefinite Contracts to Provide Flexibility to Meet Mission Needs, GAO-17-329: Published: Apr 13, 2017. Publicly Released: Apr 13, 2017. “The federal government obligated over $130 billion annually during fiscal years 2011-2015 on indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracts—which are used when the exact quantity and timing of products or services are not… Continue Reading
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Monthly Archives: April 2017
DATO Capital – Database of private companies and directors
Search within companies and 12,565,795 directors in 8 countries Continue Reading
Companies Stashing the Most Money Overseas
24/7 Wall St – “The U.S. economic system encourages cost-cutting at every stage of business. While taxes are a yearly expense for small businesses, working families, and individuals, large U.S. companies avoid billions in taxes each year on cash held in offshore bank accounts. The current level of global wealth inequality, which is widely expected… Continue Reading
Report – Fostering Integrity in Research (2017)
The National Academies: “The integrity of knowledge that emerges from research is based on individual and collective adherence to core values of objectivity, honesty, openness, fairness, accountability, and stewardship. Integrity in science means that the organizations in which research is conducted encourage those involved to exemplify these values in every step of the research process.… Continue Reading
Comprehensive Plan for Reforming the Federal Government and Reducing the Federal Civilian Workforce
Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget, Memorandum for Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies – April 12, 2017. M-17-22, Comprehensive Plan for Reforming the Federal Government and Reducing the Federal Civilian Workforce. “This memorandum provides agencies guidance on fulfilling the requirements of the Hiring Freeze PM and the Reorganization EO while… Continue Reading
Share of married Americans is falling, but they still pay most of the nation’s income taxes
“While the share of U.S. adults who are married has been falling steadily over the past 40 years, married people continue to earn most of the nation’s income and pay the vast majority of income taxes, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of IRS tax administration data. In 1970, 69% of adults were married,… Continue Reading
Global Restrictions on Religion Rise Modestly in 2015, Reversing Downward Trend
“Government restrictions on religion and social hostilities involving religion increased in 2015 for the first time in three years, according to Pew Research Center’s latest annual study on global restrictions on religion. The share of countries with “high” or “very high” levels of government restrictions – i.e., laws, policies and actions that restrict religious beliefs… Continue Reading
New NatureServe Canada report finds increase in globally at-risk species in Canada
“A new NatureServe Canada report on globally rare species in Canada shows an increase in the number of animals, plants and lichen facing threats to their existence. In fact, 517 species that occur in Canada are now classified as being globally at risk. The report, entitled On Guard For Them: Species of Global Conservation Concern… Continue Reading
Government Watchdog to Conduct Review of Trump Transition Process
News release: “The U.S. Government Accountability Office has initiated an investigation of conflicts of interest and other problems affecting President Trump’s transition. The review was requested in November 2016 by U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The Members of… Continue Reading
Introduction to the Legislative Process in the U.S. Congress
CRS – Introduction to the Legislative Process in the U.S. Congress, Valerie Heitshusen, Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process. April 7, 2017. [via FAS] This report introduces the main steps through which a bill (or other item of business) may travel in the legislative process—from introduction to committee and floor consideration to possible presidential… Continue Reading
Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview and U.S. Response
CRS – Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview and U.S. Response. Carla E. Humud, Coordinator Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs; Christopher M. Blanchard, Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs; Mary Beth D. Nikitin, Specialist in Nonproliferation April 7, 2017. “A deadly chemical weapons attack in Syria on April 4, 2017, and a U.S. military strike in response… Continue Reading
The Board Can Improve the Effectiveness of Continuous Monitoring as a Supervisory Tool
Office of Inspector General Evaluation Report, March 29, 2017. 2017-SR-B-005 “We assessed the effectiveness of continuous monitoring as a supervisory activity for large, complex financial institutions, including Large Institution Supervision Coordinating Committee (LISCC) firms and large banking organizations (LBOs). The Federal Reserve System plays a major role in regulating the U.S. financial system. Specifically, the… Continue Reading
