Nextgov

The Pentagon Spent Millions on Vulnerable Chinese Tech in 2018, Watchdog Says

The procurements, which could expose the department and its contractors to espionage and cyberattacks, highlight significant gaps in the Pentagon’s supply chain security policies.

Management

How to Improve the Performance Appraisal Process

The federal practice of issuing uninformative mid-year reviews followed six months later by year-end appraisals is both painful and ineffective.

Nextgov

DOD’s Next Electronic Health System Rollout Will Be Different, Officials Say

After a poor showing in the first deployment of the MHS GENESIS electronic health records system, officials have retuned the training system and ensured better infrastructure is in place for the next rollout.

Management

The Department of Education Wants to Stop 'Student Aid Fraud Scheme' Where Parents Give Up Custody Through Dubious Guardianships

One day after our reporting, the department’s inspector general said it wants to close financial aid loopholes.

Management

Analysis: Can Anyone Stop Trump’s Border Wall?

The Supreme Court temporarily allowed the administration to begin construction. That doesn’t mean victory for the president is certain.

Oversight

Play of the Day: Bernie Sanders Is Here To Yell At You About Health Care

The Vermont Senator took center stage at Tuesday night's debate and lauded his plan.

Defense

Hyten Poised For Confirmation Despite Sexual Assault Claims

His accuser, who took a front-row seat at his confirmation hearing, says the Air Force four-star is lying to Congress.

Management

White House Sees Path for Less Interference in Implementing Its Government Reorganization

Administration officials are pleased with progress so far, though most efforts are not yet implemented.

Route Fifty

A City With a Booming Real Estate Market Sees a Slip in Home Prices

Meanwhile, new research suggests people in high-cost metro areas are searching for more affordable places to live.

Nextgov

CMS, USDS Pilot Unlocks Patient Data to Boost Provider Care

The project allows health care professionals to see claims information for past treatments instead of relying on patients’ memories.

Route Fifty

What Business Leaders Want Changed in the New NAFTA

The Senate Finance Committee heard from business people across the country Tuesday who support passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, but would like stronger enforcement mechanisms.

Nextgov

CISA: Small Planes Vulnerable to Flight Data Manipulation

Pilots would be unable to tell the difference between the real and fake readings, “which could result in loss of control of the affected aircraft,” CISA officials warned.

Management

USDA Employees Who Didn’t Already Opt to Move to Kansas City May Be Out of Luck

Department officials say July 15 was the hard and fast deadline to accept reassignments, despite previously indicating there was wiggle room until September.

Management

How Not to Run a Panel

Panel discussions can be very boring, but they don’t have to be if you follow these six rules.

Management

Shutdown Had Deep Financial and Mental Health Impact on IRS Workers, Study Finds

Researchers are examining the impact of the 35-day shutdown on a Utah community with a high concentration of federal employees.

Management

Republican Lawmaker Seeks to Outlaw Official Time for Union Representational Work

Bill would end the longstanding practice by which union officials can do representational work during duty hours, although chances of it becoming law are low.

Nextgov

Agencies Should Be More Transparent About Public Comments, GAO Says

By defining and disclosing how they handle commenters’ information, agencies could help combat identity fraud and other abuses, auditors said.

Workforce

EPA to Close a Las Vegas Office, Reassign Employees

Agency to seek buyout, early retirement authority despite restrictions from Congress.

Route Fifty

A Pickup Truck State Debates California’s Electric Vehicle Rule

Colorado could move forward soon with requirements that a certain percentage of vehicle sales be electric. Officials this week inked a voluntary agreement with manufacturers that moves the state closer to that goal.

Management

Analysis: How Did The Presidential Campaign Get To Be So Long?

While other countries set strict limits on the length of campaigns, American presidential races have become drawn-out, years-long affairs. It wasn’t always this way.