Nextgov
GSA Outlines Multiple Award Schedule Consolidation Efforts
Officials have been rooting out inconsistencies and duplication in the Schedules program.
Management
Trump Signs Orders to Restrict 'Unaccountable Bureaucrats' From Creating 'Backdoor Regulations'
Federal employees are "imposing their private agenda on our citizens," Trump says.
Route Fifty
Trying to End the Dangerous Practice of Late-Night Jail Releases
If signed by the governor, a measure passed by the California legislature would require jails to set new release times and provide people with free phone calls to arrange transportation.
Pay & Benefits
White House Official Said Feds Don't Care About Pay, HR Officials Disagreed
"Nothing says thank you like cash," one agency leader says.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Promotes Work-Life Balance, Retirements Decline, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Oversight
Federal Judge Threatens Education Secretary With Possible Jail Time
Government blames contractors partly for non-compliance with court orders.
Nextgov
NIST is Hunting for Tech to Secure the Energy Sector’s Network
Officials want to help power companies bolster their digital defenses as renewable energy resources like solar panels and wind turbines introduce more vulnerabilities to the grid.
Management
The Performance Management Alarms Keep Getting Louder
Government is overlooking a straightforward and inexpensive way to tackle its talent management problems—investing in middle managers.
Oversight
Mick Mulvaney’s Uncertain Fate
President Trump has not ruled out replacing his third chief of staff in less than three years.
Route Fifty
Sin Taxes Not a Reliable Source of Revenue, Report Says
States collected $34 million in alcohol and tobacco taxes in 2017, but a tax increase doesn’t always equate to more money as consumer behavior changes.
Workforce
How Trump's Defiance of Impeachment Probe Could Leave Federal Employees Criminally Liable
As White House pledges no cooperation, experts say employees have options to remain on a legal path.
Management
Report: Executive Branch Should Establish an Interagency Task Force to Combat Foreign Election Inference
Bipartisan Senate report recommends a media literacy initiative and a system for alerting people targeted with disinformation.
Management
Border Patrol Apprehensions Dipped Last Month, But 2019 Saw a Dramatic Increase From 2018
Despite the months-long trend downward, the 2019 fiscal year’s total represents nearly a 90 percent increase from 2018.
Route Fifty
A Plan to Reduce Bench Warrants—By Text Message
After success in one county, Minnesota is rolling out a statewide program that sends reminders to defendants about their court appearances.
Nextgov
GSA Certifies Two More Vendors Ahead of Task Order Deadline on $50B Telecom Contract
Two more authorities to operate bring the total to five, with four more vendors waiting to get certified to get a piece of GSA’s massive Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions contract.
Route Fifty
People Who Live in Violent Neighborhoods Are More Likely to Be Lonely
A new study from Chicago finds that adults in places with high rates of violent crime are more likely to say they feel lonely, a consequence that can come with health repercussions.
Oversight
Employees Report Threatening Anti-LGBT Harassment, Retaliation at National Science Foundation
An outside investigator recently substantiated allegations that a career manager made sexually explicit jokes and bullied LGBT employees.
Nextgov
GSA Offers More Details on Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence
Officials will build on their work with the Pentagon’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center to help other agencies adopt the tech, and the Health and Human Services Department could be next.
Nextgov
6 Lessons from Government Customer Experience Professionals
Officials from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Transportation Security Administration and Office of Federal Student Aid explained what’s worked in improving customer experience.
Management