Oversight
A High-Risk Medical Device Didn’t Meet Federal Standards. The Government Paid Millions for More.
For years after federal inspectors found serious problems with the HeartWare heart pump, agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services continued paying to implant it in patients.
Tech
GovExec Daily: Increasing Federal Cyber Hygiene
Bill Wright joins the podcast to discuss how agencies can protect themselves online.
Management
Biden Administration Punts on Deadline to Recommend Sweeping Changes to VA Health Care
Initial proposals for VA's BRAC-style review delayed due to COVID-19 case surge.
Workforce
Report: 45% of All Federal Employees Teleworked in Fiscal 2020
The Office of Personnel Management’s latest annual telework report captures the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Management
As Postal Service Eyes Supreme Court on Vaccine Mandate, It Prepares to Help Send COVID-19 Tests to Americans
USPS also strikes agreement with another union, likely providing more generous pay raises and health care benefits to workers.
Management
After Communication Confusion, CDC Holds Solo Press Briefing
The CDC director anticipates Friday’s briefing will be “the first of many.”
Management
Coronavirus Roundup: Biden’s Vaccine Rules Get Their Day in (Supreme) Court
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Management
GAO Uses Covert Testing Scheme to Assess SBA Screening Processes For Tribal Firms in 8(a) Program
The Government Accountability Office sent applications from four fake firms to the Small Business Administration's 8(a) program to see whether SBA had made progress addressing long-standing oversight issues.
Tech
When Should You Take an At-Home COVID Test?
"If you have COVID-19 symptoms and test positive on an at-home test, you have COVID-19. You don’t need to get another test to confirm the results."
Management
GovExec Daily: Documenting the Jan. 6 Violence
Courtney Bublé joins the podcast to discuss how the Smithsonian is preserving the legacy of the 2021 Capitol riot.
Pay & Benefits
Capital Region Federal Offices to Close Again on Friday for Snow
This will be the second time offices have closed due to weather this week.
Management
Smithsonian Leaders and Union Representatives Disagree Over Museum Openings
Many Smithsonian facilities are located in Washington, D.C., which has experienced a surge in coronavirus cases due to the spread of the Omicron variant.
Pay & Benefits
‘When Will I Get My Money?’ and Other New Year Questions
Answers to reader queries about lump-sum payments, benefits and more.
Management
Making the Customer Service Executive Order Really Work
Among the keys: making permanent the flexibility to pursue innovation through technology and multi-sector partnerships.
Defense
One Year After Jan. 6 Attack, Push For Quick Reaction Force Is Dead On Capitol Hill
Experts also warn changes at DoD won’t speed up how quickly Guardsmen could respond to future incidents.
Management
Federal Prisons Agency Director to Retire
This “is an opportunity for new, reform-minded leadership,” said a top Democratic lawmaker.
Workforce
Convalescent Plasma May Keep COVID-19 Patients out of Hospital
Early use of convalescent plasma may help people with COVID-19 avoid having to go to the hospital, a new study shows.
Management
GovExec Daily: Will the COVID-19 Pandemic Ever End?
McKinsey & Company’s Dr. Matt Craven joins the podcast to discuss the present and future of the public health crisis.
Workforce
OPM To Publish Rule Implementing Law Protecting Feds from Discrimination, Whistleblower Retaliation
The Elijah E. Cummings Federal Employee Antidiscrimination Act requires agencies to publish instances when they discriminated or retaliated against federal workers and encourages agencies to punish federal employees responsible for such acts.
Management