People
OPM prods agencies to name chief diversity officers
The Office of Personnel Management followed up on an executive order on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in a letter released Monday on chief diversity officers. OPM is establishing a forum for these officials, it says.
Acquisition
Supreme Court hearing turns to the contractor mandate
Chief Justice John Roberts invoked the federal contractor mandate – currently blocked from taking effect due to a lawsuit – at a hearing at which two separate vaccine authority cases were argued on Friday.
People
Appeals court deals another blow to Biden's contractor vaccine mandate
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit said in a Wednesday decision that Biden's mandate likely goes beyond authority given in the Procurement Act and denied the administration's request that an injunction in three states be lifted.
Digital Government
Streamlining delivery at USDA
Rebecca Piazza, former 18F acting executive director, is working at USDA on customer experience in food and nutrition benefits. The hope is that the work could increase participation in programs by taking away administrative burdens.
People
OPM disputes 2021 court ruling on firing feds for poor performance
Comments from the Office of Personnel Management in a recent rulemaking could change how agencies approach performance improvement plans and termination for cause.
Modernization
OPM faces uncertain funding prospects
The federal government’s human resources agency is still dealing with budget shortfalls arising from moving background checks to the Department of Defense, and the prospect of a full-year continuing resolution could exacerbate existing pressures.
Digital Government
White House releases ‘learning agenda’ draft for PMA
The public, especially researchers and public servants, can submit feedback on the draft through Jan. 31.
People
Bill to train acquisition workforce on AI clears Senate
The bill will help the U.S. stay afloat in global competition on artificial intelligence, its sponsors on the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee say.
Digital Government
More funding needed for Biden’s CX order, says industry group
The Alliance for Digital Innovation said that “current funding levels will not be enough to provide an on-going, modern, and customer-centric digital experience,” called for in the customer experience executive order, and urged the administration to replenish the Technology Modernization Fund and the Federal Citizen Services Fund to support improved CX.
People
NDAA requires DOD to report on prospects for a ‘cyber academy’
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) says these reports could inform potential legislation to establish an academy to educate cyber workers for government modeled after military service academies.
Digital Government
Tech woes and fraud top the list of unemployment system issues
A new report from a special Pandemic Response Accountability Committee delves into the issues surrounding UI during COVID-19.
Cybersecurity
DHS gets nearly 2,000 applications for new cyber cadre
The goal is for DHS to onboard the first 150 feds into the system next year.
Digital Government
White House elevates CX with executive order
A Biden administration executive order looks to use tech to simplify and reduce friction in citizen interactions with government programs and services.
People
What’s next for security clearance reform?
Expect new milestones from the DOD’s governmentwide vetting IT and new policies on vetting criteria in 2022.
People
Top House Republican pushes back on government telework
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) isn’t the only Republican lawmaker asking questions about the productivity of teleworking federal employees.
People
Vaccination rates tick up slightly among federal employees
The number of vaccinated feds has increased, although there are still thousands of pending exception and extension requests to the mandate.
People
NDAA requires new job data, software job series
The House-passed compromise NDAA also has other workforce provisions, including a change to the probationary period for civilian feds at DOD and paid parental bereavement leave for federal employees.
Acquisition
Federal court blocks contractor vaccination mandate
A nationwide injunction from a federal court blocks the Biden administration from enforcing its vaccination mandate for the federal contract workforce.
People
Ahuja tees up 2022 plans for OPM
The Office of Personnel Management has a long list of priorities as it rebuilds itself and rolls out policies to implement the Biden-Harris agenda.
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