gnu, while it is fun to play a foil, you do so inappropriately.

Even if you think I am repeating the word fire in a crowded theater, there is smoke and we do not yet know where it is coming from.

Again the message that needs to be delivered and answered by respondsible journalists or administration officials is ...



Today I learned of an unprecedented revamping of the entire policy regarding the funding of outside/independent contractors of the Federal Government.

People in our office do not yet know if the decision to change the entire payment policy to contractors is a new law, a new legal interpretation of standing law or perhaps a fast one being pulled by persons unknown.
The OMB has ordered that contractors will now get all their money up front by a billing in advance scheme thus abolishing the age old minimum payment policies. Also payment outstanding for monies due at completion of contracts must be fulfilled immediately.

Since no Federal office has an approved budget going into April, there are cases in which we cannot fulfill this new payment policy and situations in which this new policy is in contradiction with current laws and contract programs which expect to be funded but can not because of the limitations on specific amounts that can be paid.

In the current push to cut spending, this preposterous order to pay everyone will be an extraordinary expense of billions of dollars across the board.

This is being pushed so rapidly I have my doubts as to its veracity and legality. IF this is done it will eliminate the basic incentives for contractors to do their jobs to the satisfaction of the government. The only monetary control over contractors will come at contract renewal time.

Please investigate this for yourself.