Nextgov

Clock Starts on Naming Leaders, Beginning Work on Evidence Act

Agencies now have official guidance on how to meet the first phase of requirements under the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act.

Management

Breakthrough Technologies Offer Enormous Opportunity for Federal Leaders—If They Seize It

What Silicon Valley calls “exponential technologies” could transform agency operations and boost national security.

Management

Does the Hatch Act Need a Makeover for the Trump Era?

White House resistance to the special counsel raises questions about enforcement.

Route Fifty

What Will Local Government Look Like in Space?

Lessons from early American colonies might provide best practices and cautionary lessons for future settlements on other planets.

Tech

Viewpoint: An Invisible Government Agency Produces Crucial National Security Intelligence, But Is Anyone Listening?

The National Intelligence Council works inside government but is little understood outside. Yet it has helped respond to almost all the major foreign policy challenges of the last 40 years.

Management

Lawmakers: Discussion of Furloughs at OPM Was 'Premature and Unnecessary'

Officials should have considered furloughs or layoffs as a last resort in addressing the agency's budget shortfall, senators say in letter demanding more information.

Nextgov

GSA's Centers of Excellence Wants Industry Feedback on Pending OPM Effort

The General Services Administration’s Centers of Excellence effort at the Office of Personnel Management is ramping up.

Management

Border Patrol Condemns Secret Facebook Group, but Reveals Few Specifics

The agency won’t say how many employees have been disciplined or warned in the ongoing scandal over offensive social media posts.

Defense

Dunford: U.S. Will Provide Intel, Not Escorts, In Strait Of Hormuz

The Trump administration wants to put together an international coalition to prevent tanker attacks from Iran.

Defense

Sexual Assault Allegation Surfaces About Nominee for Joint Chiefs Vice Chairman

Cleared by Air Force investigators, Gen. Hyten may yet face questions during his Senate confirmation process.

Management

The Air Really Was Cleaner Under Obama

Pollution is up nearly 14 percent under the Trump administration.

Management

Mother Blames ICE for Toddler's Death in Emotional Congressional Testimony

Asylum seeker says federal agents treated her cruelly and provided inhumane conditions.

Route Fifty

Key Senators Pledge to Move on Federal Highway Bill This Summer

But lawmakers acknowledge that figuring out a long-term plan to pay for transportation infrastructure remains a major challenge.

Nextgov

Experts Tell Congress Facial Recognition’s Bias Problem May Be Here to Stay

Despite significant improvements in the tech’s overall performance, he said, “it’s unlikely” researchers will ever make systems equally accurate across racial and other demographic lines.

Management

More Than Two-Thirds at Agriculture Research Office Reject Relocation

Union survey of some 200 employees shows Perdue plan will lead to high attrition.

Pay & Benefits

Retirement Backlog Grows, Bills Would Expand Veterans Benefits and More

A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.

Nextgov

CBP Is Looking for a Vendor to Manage Its Multi-Cloud Environment

The winning company will have to stitch together multiple cloud services and architectures and enable the agency to add new ones as needed.

Defense

Ex-State Dept. Official Gets 40 Months in Prison for Spying

Claiborne gave documents to Chinese agents in exchange for gifts.

Route Fifty

Last Year Was a Record-Breaking Year for High-Tide Flooding. 2019 Probably Will Be, Too.

The East Coast suffered most from high-tide flooding, which can occur even on calm, sunny days, according to new data from the federal government.

Management

House to Consider Blocking OPM Merger, Other Workforce Proposals Through Defense Policy Bill

Proposed amendments to the annual must-pass Defense authorization bill include measures to safeguard federal workers’ insurance during shutdowns, ban the box in federal hiring and protect whistleblowers.