FCW Insider: Feb. 4
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
Congratulations to the 2020 Federal 100 Award winners. Meet the women and men being honored for their exceptional contributions to federal IT.
The number two official at the Department of Veterans Affairs was fired Feb. 3 by Secretary Robert Wilkie as sexual harassment allegations roil the agency. The move comes as the agency faces down a key milestone in a $16 billion tech project. Adam Mazmanian has more.
Key agencies still lack confirmed watchdogs. Practitioners and experts worry a lack of confirmed officials sends the message that inspectors general are undervalued. Lia Russell explains.
What is a better management tool – the carrot or the stick? Steve Kelman considers the research on what makes for an effective motivator.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs wants a multivendor computer hardware contract that allows its agencies to comply with set-aside goals and unite sometimes fragmented buying. Mark Rockwell reports.
Quick Hits
*** The Office of Personnel Management announced plans to develop guidance on workforce issues arising from the potential for contagion of the Wuhan coronavirus epidemic currently spreading in China and worldwide. OPM said it is coordinating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to "educate the federal community" on the virus with an eye to maintaining the safety of the federal workforce and preserving continuity of government operations.
*** Attorney General William Barr tapped Bobak Talebian as director of the Justice Department's Office of Information Policy. Talebian had been acting director of the office since October. He manages Freedom of Information Act requests and responsibilities for the agency, as well as developing FOIA policy for all executive branch agencies. Talebian has been acting director since October. He was preceded in this office by Melanie Ann Pustay.