Management

GSA Announces a Four-Fold Increase in Contracting Opportunity Goals for Small Disadvantaged Businesses

As the administration continues its efforts to steer $100 billion in contracting opportunities to historically marginalized firms by 2025, the General Services Administration is unveiling how it plans to help make that objective a reality.

Defense

The U.S. Mulls a Larger Permanent Force in Europe and Sends More Missiles to Ukraine

The U.S. and NATO will take a "hard look" at the European security footprint no matter how the Ukrainian fight goes, a U.S. official says.

Management

It Just Got Easier for Feds to Vote and Work at Polls 

New leave guidance is part of the Biden administration’s overall efforts to increase access to voting.

Pay & Benefits

The Federal Pay Advisory Panel Can Finally Weigh In on Locality Pay and Other Issues Again

Biden nominates members to the Federal Salary Council, allowing it to move forward with compensation-related recommendations.

Workforce

What Is the New COVID-19 Variant BA.2, and Will It Cause Another Wave of Infections In the U.S.?

The latest addition to the omicron lineage has been making waves in Europe. Whether it will do the same in the U.S. depends on rates of vaccination and prior infection.

Workforce

Older Americans Are Given the Wrong Idea about Online Safety – Here’s How to Help Them Help Themselves

Older Americans are often taught to be fearful of hackers and scammers in their midst while also being told to investigate potential threats. Better advice is to not engage.

Management

GovExec Daily: Government Trends for 2022

Deloitte's William D. Eggers joins the podcast to discuss a new report.

Management

Postal Banking Isn’t Done Yet, Even Though It Was Stripped from the Recent Spending Package

Democrats have introduced a new postal banking bill and advocates are still hopeful USPS will expand a small pilot program it launched last year.

Management

Madeleine Albright, the First Female Secretary of State, Dies at 84

"Hers were the hands that turned the tide of history," President Biden said in a White House statement on Wednesday.

Oversight

Coast Guard Academy Leaders Shouldn't Make Diversity a 'Side Issue,' a New Report Says

The academy is committed to diversity but leaders need to be more proactive in promoting "cultural competence," a report from the National Academy of Public Administration finds.

Defense

What We Learned from Russia’s Assaults on Nuclear Plants

Governments, international organizations, and nuclear plant operators have a lot of work to do.

Management

The Labor Dept. Wants to Revise a Trump-Era Policy on Handling of Discrimination Claims Against Contractors

Department argues the changes would increase flexibility, efficiency and enforcement, but attorneys for contractors say the revisions would hurt transparency.

Management

Agencies Are Looking to Streamline Payment Data Collection in Contracting

The keepers of the federal government's acquisition rulebook – GSA, DOD and NASA – want to increase automation in payments to contractors.

Defense

The Pentagon's Acquisition Reforms May Get More Scrutiny

William LaPlante, who has been nominated to be the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, indicated that he would review recent acquisition reforms and champion modern software practices if confirmed.

Workforce

Survey: People Found Freedom, Joy in Gardens During COVID-19

Why did some people start gardening during COVID-19? Connection to nature, relaxation, and stress relief were by far the biggest reasons gardeners cited.

Oversight

GovExec Daily: How Congress is Trying – and Not Trying – to Prepare for the Next Pandemic

As funding is absent in the omnibus, Eric Katz joins the podcast to discuss new plans for federal preparedness.