Nextgov

Former GSA IT Contracting Officer Sentenced in Bribery Scheme

A former procurement official overseeing contracts on IT Schedule 70 was sentenced to almost two years in prison on federal bribery charges.

Route Fifty

Why We Need to Pay Attention to Police Officers’ Mental Health

COMMENTARY | A new study found that as police are under more scrutiny than ever, their mental health struggles remain profound.

Tech

The US Military Is About to Launch Its Largest 5G Experiments Yet

The “at-scale” tests could change defense networks, training, and logistics — and how Americans use the Internet.

Management

GovExec Daily: Debates and the Electoral Process

Dr. Mitchell S. McKinney joins the podcast to examine the history of the format and what debates bring to voters.

Route Fifty

Militia Group Plotted to Kidnap Michigan Governor, Feds Say

STATE AND LOCAL NEWS ROUNDUP | West Virginia selected for $500 million hyperloop site … Vermont moves ahead with retail marijuana … Library worker allegedly stole $1.3 million in printer toner ... Tofurky sues over Louisiana “burger” labeling law.

Pay & Benefits

OPM Seeks to Limit Back Pay Awards for Employees, Unions

Officials at the Office of Personnel Management want to upend a nearly 40-year-old set of regulations, restricting which actions are subject to grievances under the Back Pay Act, and banning unions from being awarded attorney's fees when their members win their cases.

Route Fifty

A State Provides an Online Option for Driver's License Tests

Prospective drivers in Minnesota can now take their learner's permit knowledge test online, one of several state initiatives deployed during the coronavirus pandemic.

Management

Civilian Agency Contract Spending Reaches Record High in Fiscal 2020

The novel coronavirus pandemic largely contributed to the increase, Bloomberg Government reported.

Management

FDA Is Leaving Lab Employees At Risk of COVID-19 Exposure

An office created in 2016 to ensure safety at labs has never been given the authorities necessary to do its job, GAO says.

Pay & Benefits

The Case for Waiting to Retire

Even for those who’ve decided they want to go next year and are at the higher end of the pay scale, it can pay to be patient.

Nextgov

DOD Unveils First Enterprisewide Data Strategy

The new data strategy will be a key component supporting the Defense Department’s digital modernization effort, officials say.

Oversight

DOJ Frees Federal Prosecutors to Take Steps That Could Interfere With Elections, Weakening Long-standing Policy

In an internal announcement, the Justice Department created an exception to a decades-long policy meant to prevent prosecutors from taking overt investigative steps that might affect the outcome of the vote.

Defense

All US Troops In Afghanistan To Withdraw By Christmas, Trump Tweets

The bewildering message came just hours after his national security advisor said the United States would draw down to 2,500 by 2021.

Nextgov

Defense to Outfit and Steer Military Dogs with Augmented Reality Goggles

Sights are set on tapping new technology to help better protect soldiers and the canines they guide.