Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Trump Administration is ‘Quietly’ Planning for Vaccine Distribution; NIH Enrolls Participants in Critical Phase of Two Antibody Trials
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Employee Policy
USDA IT shop freezes hiring, offers early retirement
In an effort to optimize the agency’s tech investments and update the skillset of its workforce, the Department of Agriculture’s CIO Office has instituted a hiring freeze and plans to offer early retirement options to IT workers.
Management
Why Agencies Need to Spend a Little to Gain a Lot
Innovation funds have the potential to turn up effective and less expensive ways to confront today's challenges.
Management
ICE Is Making Sure Migrant Kids Don’t Have COVID-19 — Then Expelling Them to 'Prevent Its Spread'
The administration has used infection risk to justify expelling thousands of children without legal protections. But it’s only expelling kids who’ve tested negative.
Nextgov
Six Months into VA's 5G-Enabled Hospital Project
The pandemic emerged early in its existence, but the infrastructure is already providing a foundation for health care innovation, an official said.
Employee Policy
DOD watchdog pick gets grilled by Senate Dems
Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) said Jason Abend's nomination circumvented a vetting process set up by the 2008 Inspector General Reform Act.
Tech
GovExec Daily: Using Data for the Business of Government
Nick Hart of the Data Coalition and Jesse Rauch of Active Navigation join the podcast to discuss data strategy in evidence-based policy, transparency and even the COVID-19 response.
Route Fifty
A Lawsuit Seeks to Restore Local Power to Tax Sugary Drinks
California enacted a law in 2018 that creates a huge roadblock for cities that want to tax soda and other sugary beverages. That statute now faces a challenge in court.
Nextgov
Pentagon Requests More Time to Review JEDI Cloud Contract Bids
The Defense Department says it wants to further discuss Microsoft’s and Amazon Web Services’ pricing.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Outlines Process for Restoring Leave After COVID
Regulations allowing some to carry over more than 30 days of annual leave into next year will also apply to future emergencies, Office of Personnel Management said.
Management
Despite Calls for His Resignation, New USPS Leader Pledges More Sweeping Changes
While some employees and lawmakers are sounding alarms over Postal Service reforms, stakeholders are taking a wait-and-see approach.
Nextgov
Agencies Off-Pace to Switch to New Telecom Contract Before Cutoff Date, GAO Says
The latest FITARA scorecard showed what percentage of operations have moved off old infrastructure contracts—and the numbers aren’t good.
Management
Third Acting NPS Director Under Trump Will Retire Next Month
Lawsuit by nonprofits claims the National Park Service veteran R. David Vela was appointed illegally.
Route Fifty
Nearly 100,000 Children Test Positive for Coronavirus in Two Weeks
The new numbers come as back-to-school season begins in some places.
Management
Vast Majority of VA Employees Have Either Witnessed Or Experienced Racism at Work, Survey Finds
Nearly 76% of respondents to union survey have experienced "racially charged actions," and three-quarters of those who haven't experienced incidents themselves say they have witnessed them.
Employee Policy
Union survey finds widespread racial bias at VA
Racism and incidents of racial bias are a big problem at the Department of Veterans Affairs, according to a survey released by the American Federation of Government Employees.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: TSA Sees Uptick in Travel; Census Bureau Will Resume Pandemic Surveys
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Management
How to Prepare for Rising Stress Ahead
Now is a good time to take an honest look at how you are handling your current level of stress and consider proactive steps you should take as we head toward the fall.
Nextgov
White House Council Seeks Input on Plan to Invest in Alternatives to GPS
The request for information flows from an executive order on the responsible use of positioning, navigation and timing services.
Oversight