Committee approves Williams nomination

The nomination of Jim Williams as administrator of the General Services Administration was approved unanimously today by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and sent to the full Senate.

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), the committee’s chairman, said he was satisfied with Williams’ answers regarding a controversy involving Sun Microsystems, and called Williams an outstanding candidate for the position.

Lieberman and the committee's ranking member, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), said they questioned Williams extensively regarding his role in renegotiations of a contract with Sun, which stirred controversy. The contract raised concerns about whether the company had not provided the government with the appropriate discounts on its products and services.

“I don’t know if his actions were perfect in retrospect, but I am convinced that his motivations were always in the best interest of the taxpayers,” Collins said. “I believe he is the ideal person for this position at a very critical time.”

However, as reported July 29, Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) is expected put a hold on the nomination, which would keep the Senate from considering Williams. (Read more here.)

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Grassley plans hold on Williams nomination

Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) will put a hold on on the nomination of Jim Williams to be administrator of the General Services Administration if the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approves Williams' nomination tomorrow, a spokeswoman for Grassley confirmed today.

Grassley had opposed Williams' nomination, saying July 24 that his "concerns are based on my investigation of a dubious GSA contract with Sun Microsystems.”

Read the story: FCW.com News - Grassley plans hold on Williams nomination

SBA faulted on set-aside check

“Faith-based contracting” doesn’t bring out the best in people. In those situations, “we sit back and hope and pray the company we’re doing business with isn’t ripping us off too badly,” said Bruce Causseaux, a senior-level specialist for forensic audits and special investigations at the Government Accountability Office.

Causseaux said the Small Business Administration appears to be taking that approach with its Historically Underutilized Business Zone program, which is designed to provide federal contracting opportunities to businesses in low-income areas.

During a recent investigation, GAO auditors found numerous examples of ineligible companies being accepted into the HUBZone program.

Read the story: FCW.com News - SBA faulted on set-aside check