Defense
U.S. Army Making Synthetic Biology a Priority
New thermal cloaking, insect proof uniforms are on the horizon, if the U.S. can get out in front of China.
Workforce
Presidential Hopeful Vows to Double the Number of Career Diplomats at State
Democratic candidate would create new recruiting pipelines and pay structures to boost workforce.
Route Fifty
DNA Evidence Will be Stored for 50 Years Under New State Law
The policy aims to give victims of sexual assault and prosecutors ample time to track down and convict offenders.
Management
OPM Announces New ‘Data Scientist’ Job Title
Officials hope that an "unofficial" data science marker for federal jobs could help both with recruitment of new federal workers as well as improve evidence-based policymaking and data management efforts.
Defense
Pentagon Advised to Keep Better Tabs on Defense Industry Before Reforming Payments
Impact of performance pay and contractor borrowing hasn’t been studied for 30 years.
Nextgov
OMB Adds Customer Experience, Data Policy Updates to Annual Budget Guidance
The Office of Management and Budget released an update to Circular A-11, outlining how agencies should be thinking about their fiscal 2021 budget requests.
Management
National Archives Needs Better Handle on Agency Electronic Records, Says Watchdog
Challenges come from outdated technology, uncertain inventory of agencies.
Pay & Benefits
All TSP Funds Rebound in June
After a lackluster May in which most offerings lost value, every fund in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program grew last month.
Defense
Inside the Secret Border Patrol Facebook Group Where Agents Joke About Migrant Deaths and Post Sexist Memes
The three-year-old group, which has roughly 9,500 members, shared derogatory comments about Latina lawmakers who plan to visit a controversial Texas detention facility on Monday, calling them “scum buckets” and “hoes.”
Management
The Reasons Your Change Initiative Will Fail
Most people focus too much on the results and not enough on the relationships that will yield the results.
Defense
Countries May Begin Backfilling U.S. Troops in Syria Within Weeks, Envoy Says
In an exclusive interview, Amb. Jim Jeffrey also confirmed a breakthrough agreement that could restart the Geneva peace process.
Route Fifty
Supreme Court’s Gerrymander Decision Shifts Fight Back to States
Reformers are likely to focus on independent commissions and transparency efforts to overhaul partisan gerrymandering before maps are redrawn in 2021.
Management
Commerce Officials Silent After Supreme Court Blocks Census Question
With a printing schedule set for July 1, the bureau’s well-laid plans are up in the air.
Workforce
OPM Doesn’t Anticipate Furloughs in October
Acting Director Margaret Weichert sought to reassure employees that their jobs were safe despite a recent dust-up with lawmakers.
Defense
Top Diplomat Slams ‘Endless War’ Cries of Campaign Trail as ‘the Echo of the 1930s’
“I get terribly worried. Because this shows total ignorance of what’s going on in the world today,” Ambassador Jim Jeffrey says.
Workforce
Trump’s Latest Controversial Immigration Appointee Is Already Clashing With His Workforce
Ken Cuccinelli accuses his employees, and their union, of "choosing to deny reality" after they back lawsuit over new policy.
Oversight
Former HUD Executive Indicted in Procurement Fraud Scheme
Eghbal “Eddie” Saffarinia, former assistant inspector general for IT, allegedly steered contracts to a friend’s company and failed to disclose cash payments.
Defense
Senate Clears $750 Billion Defense Policy Bill That Reforms the Security Clearance Process
Authorization act also contains 3.1% military pay hike and streamlines acquisition processes.
Defense