Management
The High Cost of Leaving Key Federal Management Jobs Unfilled
Until President Biden gets key officials in place, it’s going to be difficult for him to make progress on his agenda.
Route Fifty
Senate Lawmakers Reach Agreement on Infrastructure Package
The proposal has cleared a key procedural vote, which will allow it to advance.
Management
Biden Administration Releases ‘Made in America’ Proposed Rule
This is one of the Biden team’s procurement reforms.
Workforce
OMB Reinstitutes Mask Mandate in ‘High Transmission’ Regions, Including D.C.
The return of masking requirements at federal facilities comes amid concerns about the COVID-19 Delta variant.
Oversight
To Combat Fraud, Colleges and Universities Must Report Student Veteran Outcome Data
Veterans continually bear the brunt of deceptive advertising and fraud from schools seeking to exploit them for their hard-earned GI Bill benefits.
Oversight
Gov. Greg Abbott Orders Texas National Guard to Help with Migrant Arrests at the Border
In a letter to the major general of the Texas National Guard, Abbott said “more manpower is needed” at the border.
Nextgov
White House Asks CISA, NIST to Set Performance Goals for Critical Infrastructure Operators
The initiative will not result in mandatory measures for the private sector, but the administration hopes to signal its commitment to cybersecurity and maybe get a little help from Congress on that front.
Management
6 Things to Know about the Slow COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
Experts explain the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, what's going wrong (particularly in low-income countries), and what needs to change.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: The Patent and Trademark Office's Approach to Hybrid Work
PTO's Telework Program Office Director Danette Campbell spoke to GovExec about the successes of her agency's telework approach.
Route Fifty
Students and Staff Should Mask Up in Schools, CDC Recommends
The CDC revised mask wearing guidance on Tuesday to help contain the spread of Covid-19. But nine states ban school districts from enacting mask mandates.
Workforce
OPM Wants to See More Telework, Remote Work and ‘Maxiflex’ Schedules Post-COVID
Guidance published late last week promotes telework and other flexibilities as retention and recruitment tools.
Management
Biden Weighs Vaccine Mandate for the Federal Workforce
Yes, your agency can require you to get one, despite the fact that vaccines have been issued only under emergency use authorization by the FDA.
Nextgov
TSA, Transportation Officials Give Insight into New Cybersecurity Mandates for Pipeline Operators
Agency leaders expressed a commitment to avoiding duplication of their efforts as lines blur between cyber and physical security.
Defense
Lockheed Loses $225M on Secret Project, Lowers F-35 Production Forecast
Company will press ahead on aeronautics project in hopes of turning it into a profitable production program.
Nextgov
Lawmakers Want DOD to Explore Tech's Valley of Death Problem
A House Armed Services subcommittee is calling for mandates in the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act to examine barriers to scaling innovative tech.
Management
Coronavirus Roundup: CDC Expected to Release New Guidelines for Vaccinated People; Agencies Provide Resources for Long-COVID
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Defense
US Will End Combat Mission In Iraq, Biden Says
US needs to "divert more of our body on threats in China and Russia," says Joint Chiefs Vice Chairman Gen. Hyten
Pay & Benefits
How ‘Degree Discrimination’ Can Affect Feds’ Pay
As long as the majority of federal positions require degrees, opening up opportunities to pursue higher education will be key to creating a more diverse workforce.
Workforce