Defense

Some secret military programs are getting a little less secret

New classification guidance aims to streamline operations within the Pentagon and with foreign partners.

Management

Bipartisan bill strives for ‘more nimble and meaningful’ federal contracting

Legislation from Sens. Gary Peters, D-Mich., and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, would “streamline procedures” for both solicitation and awards by slimming down the procurement process.

Workforce

How to transform agency workforces with skills-based hiring

COMMENTARY | This fundamental shift requires government recruiters and hiring managers to think outside the box and adjust how they source, screen and train talent.

Tech

Cruz, Peters introduce bill prodding agencies to share custom code

The lawmakers say that existing policies on sharing such code aren’t being implemented by agencies.

Pay & Benefits

GSA could soon update some relocation expense reimbursement caps more regularly

It’s been more than a decade since the agency updated the maximum amounts of payments for miscellaneous relocation expenses that don’t require itemized receipts.

Workforce

Uncle Sam wants you to help train government HR to hire tech talent

Several agencies are hosting a challenge with prize money meant to spur innovation in how the government hires techies.

Management

FEMA to overhaul its disaster aid system after decades of criticism

The agency will offer upfront cash payments to disaster survivors and slash some of its infamous red tape.

Management

USPS must halt rate hikes, bipartisan group of lawmakers say

The House members made their demand the day after the latest price increases went into effect.

Oversight

House GOP move forward with drive to impeach DHS secretary over immigration policy

Republicans on the Homeland Security Committee argued that Alejandro Mayorkas has not upheld his oath of office because he enforces Biden administration border policies

Management

VA’s compliance with accessibility requirements still lacking, watchdog says

The Veterans Affairs Department “did not effectively manage website accessibility to ensure Section 508 compliance,” according to an audit conducted by the department’s Office of Inspector General.

Tech

Capturing AI’s potential needs a ‘two-way street’ between the feds and states, cities

A senior White House official said all levels of government need to work together on artificial intelligence to “move faster” to tackle big problems.

Workforce

Interior officials defend department’s approach to telework

After Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., accused the Interior Department of “abusing” telework, department leaders revealed that more than half of their workforce works in person every day, and those who do telework have experienced increased productivity, retention and employee engagement.

Tech

Senators call for Transportation to offer ‘accessible, mobile-friendly’ service animal form

Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., called the paperwork that disabled Americans need to complete before traveling with their service animals “poorly designed and needlessly difficult to complete.”

Management

Senate bill would offer veterans with lost medical records a way to access disability benefits

Legislation from the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee chairman would provide veterans with other documentation methods for receiving benefits when their medical records are misplaced between the VA and Defense Department. 

Pay & Benefits

What you need to know about the Social Security Earnings Test

When picking a date to start claiming your Social Security benefits, timing is everything.

Management

Congress averts shutdown, punts funding debate into March

Both the Senate and House approved a six-week stopgap on Thursday, just one day before a shutdown deadline.

Management

Senate panel advances watchdog, labor nominees

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee favorably reported four nominees for adjudicative agencies recently hamstrung by vacancy-related case backlogs to the Senate floor for final consideration.

Management

Supreme Court appears ready to end deference to federal agency expertise

The conservative majority is skeptical of a longstanding precedent that gives agencies latitude in setting regulations, and legal experts say it will take "miracle" to save it.

Management

OPM and the Pentagon are among agencies adopting solar under a $104M clean energy plan

The Biden administration detailed new grant awards from an Energy Department program tasked with helping implement energy conservation technology at federal agencies.