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.

Workforce

White House Order Covers Contractor Pay Equity

The Biden administration issued an executive order on Tuesday calling on the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to create new regulations around the use of past compensation in employment decisions.

Pay & Benefits

The Labor Department Seeks to Update Prevailing Wage Regulations

Department officials said this is the “most comprehensive review” of a contractor construction wage law in 40 years.

Updated Management

A New Rule Aims to Boost Biden’s ‘Made in America’ Program

The update to the Buy American Act would build on the administration’s push to get federal agencies using more domestic products and services.

Oversight

House Panel Advances DHS Acquisition Bills

Two bills seeking to improve oversight of the Department of Homeland Security’s acquisition programs were passed out of committee in a markup on Wednesday, along with a number of other measures.

Tech

GovExec Daily: Broadband, Telework and Infrastructure

Cisco's Jeffrey Campbell joins the podcast to discuss how public-private partnerships can help the Biden administration expand internet access.

Tech

IRS Will Pivot to GSA's Login.gov After this Tax Season

The tax agency is modifying its use of the ID.me identity proofing service for the current tax season, but plans to switch to the federal government's homegrown solution after the 2022 filing deadline.

Tech

Vista Modernization Still a Priority at VA, but Funding Is a Question

Two instances of the homegrown electronic health record have been moved to the cloud as part of a pilot project, but it's not clear if funding or support exists for more cloud migration as VA transitions to a commercial electronic health record.

Tech

The Army's Top Buyer Wants to Test the Limits of Flexible Software Spending

Douglas Bush, the Army's newly confirmed acquisition chief, wants to do more to reform how the service buys and sustains software.

Oversight

What Does Another Continuing Resolution Mean for Federal Contractors?

These stopgap spending measures can lead to "endless stop-and-start contract cycles, creating inefficiency and disruption."

Management

Seven States Are Challenging Biden’s $15 Minimum Wage Policy for Contractors 

The White House asserted the president acted within his legal purview with the executive order. 

Tech

IRS Backs Away From Facial Recognition Technology

The move comes after a letter from Senate Finance Committee chair Sen. Ron Wyden urged the tax agency to end a controversial contract with ID.me that requires taxpayers to submit biometric data to file tax returns online.

Management

Biden’s Latest Executive Order Seeks to Promote Efficiency in Federal Construction Contracting

The move aligns the administration's goals of increasing participation in unions and using federal procurement to advance equity.

Tech

The Defense Department and GSA Are Seeking Clean Electricity to Meet Emissions Targets

The federal government's two top buyers of electricity are exploring ways to procure carbon-pollution free electricity to meet the demands of a Biden administration executive order.

Tech

Agencies Are Tapping a Facial Recognition Company to Prove You’re You. That Raises Concerns about Privacy, Accuracy and Fairness

Federal and state governments are turning to a facial recognition company to ensure that people accessing services are who they say they are. The move promises to cut down on fraud, but at what cost?

Workforce

A New NAPA Report Backs a Shift in Leadership for Cyber Workforce Development

A new study from the National Academy of Public Administration recommends that the newly established Office of the National Cyber Director develop and implement a coordinated, multi-sector strategy for the cybersecurity workforce, which faces chronic workforce shortages.

Management

The Deadline is Here for Federal Contractors to Start Paying at least $15 an Hour

This comes as a “record number” of states and localities are increasing their minimum wages in 2022.

Management

New Interagency Council Will Further ‘Made in America’ Efforts

“From day one, President Biden has made clear that when the federal government spends taxpayer dollars, it should support American workers and businesses,” said an administration official.