Defense
Defense Secretary Reminds Employees to Remain Apolitical and Ethical
The statement was released right after Esper attended President Trump’s remarks following the president’s acquittal on impeachment charges.
Workforce
OPM Issues Guidance for Federal Employees Looking to Work for the Census
Helping with the count gives civil servants a chance to earn extra money and be part of history.
Management
House Passes Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Presidential Transition Team Ethics Requirements
The Senate-approved measure also has requirements for GSA and other agencies.
Management
Report: Federal Agencies Must Be 'Better Connected, More Collaborative'
Agencies need to work together and with the private sector to improve how they manage IT systems, data and their workforces, researchers say.
Management
Trump Presented an Optimistic View of Government in Third State of the Union
The president pointedly mentioned the administration’s support for the most important change in federal employee benefits in decades: paid family leave.
Management
GSA Praised for Progress on Contracting Schedule Consolidation
Compared to a 2015 merger, “phase two [of the current process] far exceeds the expectations,” said one observer.
Management
Homeland Security Kicks Off Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking, Other Risks at the Super Bowl
Department personnel are also working to prevent sales of counterfeit goods and head off any potential security threats.
Management
IRS Chief Acknowledges Budget Constraints, But Says He Is Confident the Agency Can Handle Tax Season
Two advantages over last year are that the agency is not recovering from a shutdown or implementing a new tax law, former commissioners note.
Oversight
Questions Linger on How State Dept. Employees Will Carry Out New 'Birth Tourism' Policy
The rule "almost demands discrimination in order for it to be implemented," said an expert.
Workforce
Senator Calls on Interior to Reintstate References to LGBTQ Employees in Workplace Discrimination Guidance
Department says its policies have not changed and cites support for LGBTQ workers.
Oversight
GSA Back in the Hot Seat Over Trump Hotel Oversight, Potential Sale
"The only thing I know is what I've read in the paper," agency chief says in reference to foreign expenditures at the hotel.
Management
White House Budget Office Wants to Know How You Would Make Contracting More Efficient
The federal government is looking to reduce cost and time of procurements, like the private sector.
Management
Labor Department Set to Streamline Procurement Services
The department has already made headway on shared services for human resources and information technology.
Oversight
Watchdog Finds Serious Staffing and Leadership Problems at State Department
Officials still feel the ramifications of the Trump administration’s 16-month hiring freeze.
Management
White House Seeks to Revise Federal Grants Process to Reflect New Priorities
The changes would reduce the reporting burden on grant recipients, among other things.
Management
The Senate Confirmation Process is Twice As Long Today As It Was During the Reagan Era
Partnership for Public Service study highlights the importance of a president’s first and fifth years in getting vacancies filled.
Management
Bipartisan Bill Would Ban Reverse Auctions for Federal Construction Contracts
House lawmakers introduced legislation on Thursday similar to a Senate measure passed in December.
Management
Defense Pledges to Do a Better Job of Sharing Security Information With Overseas Contractors
The State Department has yet to respond to an industry association letter expressing concern over contractor safety.
Oversight
Energy Dept. Hatch Act Violator Agrees to Resign and Leave Government for at Least 3 Years
The employee gave a congressional candidate special access to a radioactive waste treatment plant despite warnings this would violate ban on political activity while working.
Oversight