Tech

Deep cuts hit HHS tech offices

Current employees say that dramatic cuts to leadership and career staff within FDA and HHS have left critical projects at risk.

Pay & Benefits

Trump likely to propose pay freeze for federal workers in 2026

In OMB’s response to agency budget submissions, the White House budget office told officials to prepare for a freeze on federal civilian pay next year.

Workforce

Top homeland security lawmaker calls for cautious cuts to CISA

“We have to be very careful about who and what we cut, because [the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency] does have a mission to overwatch our critical infrastructure and make sure the bad guys aren’t getting in,” said Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn.

Management

Trump directive aims to speed up deregulation by nixing public input

Advocacy groups have already announced they would challenge the president’s effort in court.

Management

Interior fires senior leaders after fight over DOGE access to key payroll system

Several officials in the department’s CIO shop who were not fired are taking the latest deferred resignation offer, meaning that the office is nearly cleared out, with only two of nine leadership roles permanently filled.

Workforce

Trump administration ends union dues collection for most feds without notice

Unions at federal agencies targeted by the president’s executive order stripping them of their collective bargaining rights found out about the change when employees began receiving their most recent paychecks this week.

Contracts

Plan for sweeping FAR changes nears release

The General Services Administration, NASA and Office of Federal Procurement Policy are working to create a leaner acquisition framework that could attract more companies to the market.

Updated Workforce

Agencies can once again fire all probationary employees following new court ruling

An appeals court on Wednesday reached a similar conclusion as the Supreme Court a day prior.

Updated Transition

Project 2025 wanted to hobble the federal workforce. DOGE has hastily done that, and more

The controversial policy blueprint sought to cut back on civil servants’ powers, but the Trump administration’s turbulent method of execution wasn’t part of the plan.

Management

Critics worry DOGE’s rush to sell excess federal buildings could hurt agency missions, squander revenue opportunities

While shrinking the federal portfolio has been a bipartisan focus, Democrats at the hearing argued the Department of Government Efficiency’s strategy has been careless.

Opinion

Proactive responses to termination for convenience or stop-work orders

Jeremy Burkhart, a partner at Holland & Knight, outlines a few ways contractors can respond when the customer tells them a project is either on pause or will not continue.

Management

SSA reorg plan contemplates field office closures, contradicting public statements

A March draft of the Social Security Administration's reorganization plan proposes "consolidating" field offices while shuttling customer service to AI and other automated platforms.

Workforce

DOGE guts HHS small business office

Only the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization executive director remains to advocate for small businesses at the Department of Health and Human Services, which obligated $39 billion in contracts last year.

Contracts

DOGE guts HHS small business office in reorg effort

Only the OSDBU executive director remains to advocate for small businesses at the Department of Health and Human Services, which obligated $39 billion in contracts last year.

Workforce

CISA to make comprehensive staff cuts in coming days, people familiar say

The nation’s premier cybersecurity agency, which sits in the Department of Homeland Security, has been in the Trump administration’s crosshairs for some time.

Workforce

Federal employee appeals board is fully functional again — for now

The removal of Cathy Harris, a Democratic member of the Merit Systems Protection Board, has been both blocked and upheld in court since President Donald Trump tried to fire her in February. The case will likely now go to the Supreme Court.

Podcasts

WT 360: We unpack the 2024 M&A roundup and GovCon’s ongoing adjustment to Trump 2.0

Nick and Ross start out by going over the newest edition of our annual report that catalogs merger-and-acquisition activity, then shift their discussion to how the new administration still leaves contractors guessing roughly 11 weeks in.