Nextgov
Amazon, Microsoft, Google and Oracle to Bid on Pentagon’s Next Multibillion-Dollar Cloud Contract
The department expanded the pool of bidders for its much-anticipated JEDI replacement.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Trump Official Subpoenaed Over COVID-19 Procurement; FDA Greenlights More Boosters
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Workforce
Vaccine-or-Test Requirements Increase Work and Costs for Governments
But state and local officials embrace the requirement because it creates a safer workplace while allowing employees to continue working.
Employee Policy
Recruitment is top of mind for OPM's Ahuja
"If we want the best talent meeting America's needs, then we need to be smart about creating opportunities for them," OPM Director Kiran Ahuja said at an event hosted by a FederalSoup partner publication, FCW.
Employee Policy
Bill offers judiciary employees sex harass protections
Currently, employees of the federal courts—the judicial branch of our government—are inadequately protected in deterring or gaining redress from on-the-job sexual harassment. Advocates are joining with allies on Capitol Hill to pass legislation on the issue.
Exclusive
Defense
Army to Begin Forcing Out Soldiers Who Refuse COVID Vaccine, Including Guardsmen
New policy bars unvaccinated soldiers from re-enlistment, promotions as Oklahoma governor says National Guard need not obey Biden's vax mandate.
Management
Biden’s Management Agenda Puts Feds Front and Center
A focus on creating “good jobs” and fostering partnerships with organized labor marks a departure from previous agendas’ more technocratic approaches.
Management
New Executive Order Seeks to Reduce Worker Turnover on Service Contracts
This is one of several efforts by the Biden administration to use federal procurement and contracting to advance equity and its other priorities.
Oversight
Congressional Republicans Attempt to Overturn OSHA Vaccine Rule
“These resolutions each have a large number of cosponsors, suggesting that they are being used for signaling purposes despite very low odds of enactment,” said one observer.
Pay & Benefits
Plan on Paying (a Lot) More for Medicare Part B Next Year
Premium rates are increasing by 14.5% in 2022.
Defense
No Pentagon Wrong-Doing in Jan. 6 Reaction, Inspector General Finds
“DOD officials did not delay or obstruct” Guard troops who arrived at the U.S. Capitol hours after insurrectionists stormed it.
Defense
Are Naval Forces on the Right Path? Leaders Run Wargame to Check
Analysis of the classified, Pacific-focused “Global 14” will continue for weeks or months, a Navy official said.
Workforce
Land Management Agency Still Facing Vacancies From Headquarters Move After Workers Fled
The agency's Black and most experienced workers saw particular decreases.
Nextgov
Bid Protests Decrease for Third Straight Year
Industry filed 12% fewer protests in fiscal 2021 than fiscal 2020, according to the Government Accountability Office.
Oversight
Texas Sues Biden Administration for Requiring Health Care Workers to Get COVID-19 Vaccine
The state has also challenged the federal government’s vaccination mandates for big businesses and federal contractors.
Management
Biden Administration Unveils Management Vision That Rests on Empowering Federal Employees
Other top priorities include serving citizens equitably, and improving the federal acquisition and financial management systems.
Oversight
GovExec Daily: Is Another CR on the Horizon?
Eric Katz joins the podcast to discuss spending bill negotiations in Congress.
Employee Policy
Postal union pushes back on "red ink" story
Postal worker labor organizations are again pushing back against reports of financial losses across the massive delivery operation—reminding the public that the numbers are distorted by "faulty" accounting over impossible future retiree costs and other issues, all of which can only be remedied by the White House and Congress.
Employee Policy
Vaccine mandate, holiday travel loom at TSA
TSA has reported to us that it does not expect the upcoming vaccination deadline for feds to cause disruptions.
Oversight