DoD goal for clean 2028 audit in jeopardy, IG finds
DoD leaders haven’t mandated the use of a key software module, and the military services haven’t updated their own systems to properly interface with it.
Michele Sandiford
December 8, 2025 4:32 pm
< a min read
- There’s more discouraging news for the Pentagon’s prospects of obtaining a clean financial audit by the current 2028 deadline. A new evaluation by the Defense Department inspector general found the department’s plan to remediate one of its key, longstanding material weaknesses — an inability to keep track of government property in the possession of contractors — doesn’t appear to be working. DoD intended to fix the problem largely by tracking the contractor-managed property in a software module within the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment. But according to the IG, key DoD leaders haven’t mandated the use of that module, and the military services haven’t updated their own systems to properly interface with it.
- Today marks the final day of Open Season. Enrollees in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program have until midnight tonight to make any desired changes to their health insurance options. The open enrollment period also applies to Postal Service employees, as well as those with dental and vision coverage. Any changes made during Open Season will take effect in January.
- Army Cyber Command has a new leader. Lt. Gen. Christopher Eubank officially assumed command during a ceremony on Dec. 3 at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Eubank took over for Lt. Gen. Maria Barrett, who is retiring after nearly 38 years of service and three years leading Army Cyber Command. Eubank previously served as special assistant to the commander of Army Space and Missile Defense Command. He also led the Army’s Network Enterprise Technology Command. In his new role, Eubank will lead Army cyber operations and provide Army forces to U.S. Cyber Command.
- The Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications and Network, or PEO C3N, is undergoing another major reorganization. As part of the Army and Defense Department-wide acquisition reform efforts, the program executive office is changing its name to the “Capability Program Executive Command, Control, Communications and Network,” or CPE C3N. The office is realigning its structure to better support the Army’s Next Generation Command and Control effort. Brig. Gen. Jack Taylor will continue to lead the organization as the capability program executive. As part of the overhaul, the organization is standing up new project offices focused on C2 applications, data and AI, infrastructure and transport.
- An appeals court has ruled in favor of President Donald Trump’s firings of two Democratic board members. The split 2-to-1 decision of the appeals court panel has no immediate effect, since the removals of Cathy Harris at the Merit Systems Protection Board, and Gwynne Wilcox at the National Labor Relations Board, were already finalized. But Friday’s decision comes as the Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments on whether to overturn a 90-year-old ruling known as Humphrey’s Executor. If the decision is overturned, it has the potential to expand the president’s power in shaping independent agencies and may further reinforce the outcomes of Harris’ and Wilcox’s terminations.
- Palo Alto Networks is joining the ever-growing list of vendors signing up for GSA’s OneGov program. The cybersecurity company will now offer agencies up to a 60% discount from its schedule prices for three of its cyber tools. Agencies can now buy Palo Alto’s software next generation firewall, its secure access service edge (SASE) solution and its code to cloud platform for deep discounts through January 2028. This is GSA’s fifteenth OneGov agreement since it launched the program in April. Last week, GSA also signed a similar deeply discounted deal with SAP.
- Small businesses in the 8(a) program will now have a busy holiday season. The Small Business Administration is asking participants in the 8(a) contracting program for a trove of data as part of the agency’s ongoing audit of the long-standing socioeconomic initiative. In a letter sent to more than 4,300 8(a) firms, SBA set a deadline of Jan. 5, 2026, for these companies to deliver 13 data sets. These include everything from a copy of the all 8(a) contracts for the last three fiscal years to full financial statements to their full general ledger. SBA said firms that fail to meet the deadline may lose their eligibility to participate in the 8(a) program and could face further investigative or remedial actions.
- A top human resources official at the State Department who played a major role in the agency’s widespread reduction in force this summer is moving on to a new role. Lew Olowski, the chief human capital officer in the Bureau of Personnel and Training, is stepping down from that role to become the senior bureau official for the Office of Foreign Missions, according to two sources. The State Department declined to provide an on-the-record comment.
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