Monday Afternoon Federal Newscast

The White House is calling for the release of three Americans being held in Iran on accusations of espionage. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs says the three were hiking near the border with Iraq and are innocent. He called on the Iranian government to release them quickly. A senior Iranian prosecutor accused the three of espionage, the first signal that Tehran intends to put them on trial.

As they kick off the re-compete for its main technology support services contract, the Justice Department wants to know how small businesses can play a larger role. DOJ issued the draft request for proposals to obtain industry comment on its ITSS4 contract -- which stands for "Information Technology Support Services." This latest version would include not just IT support services, but also hardware, software, communications technology and other equipment as required. Read more here.

The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to release its draft strategy for restoring the Chesapeake Bay. The agency says controls should be in place by the year 2017 to meet about 60 percent of pollution reduction goals, which should be fully met by 2025. Earlier this year, President Obama ordered federal agencies to develop the strategy, putting the federal government in charge of efforts previously led by the states. (AP Wires)

To honor America's service men and women, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has announced that areas managed by the National Park Service will not charge entrance fees on Wednesday, November 11. Salazar says that visitors are invited to take a day to honor and reflect on what service men and women have done to maintain the country's freedom. The Department of Agriculture also is waiving entrance fees at its national forests.

Other News Links

Metro barred safety checks on tracks, data show (Washington Post)

TSA screening more than just carry-on bags (Washington Post)

Twenty Years After the Fall of the Berlin Wall (Dipnote/State Department)

Former Defense acquisition chief warns against 'global war on contractors' (GovExec)

Bill to increase oversight of IT projects gets big boost from report (NextGov)

60 Minutes: Sabotaging the System (CBS)

HHS to award health-data network contracts by year's end (FCW)

Game developer's newest 'call of duty': Help vets find jobs (Washington Post)

And Finally . . .
Agencies cut water use, one flush at a time (Federal Times)