The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is bringing back an old crowdsourcing initiative to allow their innovative employees to contribute to solving problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The “NASA@Work” initiative has been used previously to gather employee ideas about a problem facing the agency. Since a new initiative launched on April 1 to crowdsource ideas for combatting the coronavirus, over 200 employee ideas have been submitted.

On Friday, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a memo to agency leaders on additional avenues for compensating contractors available through the CARES Act stimulus package passed last month. The guidance is described as a supplement to previous guidance on acquisition responsibilities during the COVID-19 response.

The Office of Management and Budget released guidance Friday to assist federal agencies in implementing a series of legislative items relating to the coronavirus pandemic response. The guidance is intended to facilitate a rapid delivery of services and funds to the American people while ensuring transparent spending of taxpayer funds.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is preparing to launch two new portals to assist millions of Americans in getting and tracking their stimulus checks. Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the IRS is tasked with delivering millions of Americans Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) of $1200 to ease the economic burdens associated with the pandemic. For individuals who filed their taxes in 2018 and 2019 using direct deposit, the EIPs will be delivered via direct deposit, but for millions of other Americans who have not filed taxes in recent years, getting their checks will require more effort.

The Army announced Monday that it would pause sending new recruits to basic training, although current recruits will continue their training. The announcement comes at the same time as Army representatives told Federal News Network that they are increasing re-enlistment opportunities for current soldiers to prevent them from slipping into unemployment when they return home.

The coronavirus pandemic has required all hands to be on deck in the federal government. To match the president’s call for a whole of government response, federal agencies are shifting strategies and tweaking systems to better serve the American people.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is preparing to administer the largest stimulus package in US history--remotely. In a notice to all employees this week, the Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO) from the service directed all employees, regardless of telework eligibility, to work remotely to the maximum extent possible.

In guidance to agency leaders on Friday, Deputy Director of Management (DDM) at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Margaret Weichert urged agencies to work with their contractors to maximize telework access and provide greater flexibilities in terms of performance dates. The guidance encouraged agencies to leverage special emergency procurement authorities as well.

Cyber-attackers attempted to disrupt the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services computer systems over the weekend. Attackers failed at penetrating the network due to what the department described as “extra protections” put in place to respond to the coronavirus outbreak. The National Security Council has warned the public and agencies of the possibility of increased cyber-attacks and disinformation campaigns as more people move to telework and look to the internet for updates on the coronavirus spread.

In a letter to agencies on Sunday, Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Russell Vought called upon agencies to offer “maximum telework flexibilities” to all currently telework eligible employees and to utilize all existing authorities to offer telework to additional employees to the extent available due to the COVID-19 outbreak. In light of this news and other agency internal guidances, public employee groups have been speaking up to echo, approve, and criticize the actions of agencies to ensure adequate protections for their members.

March 12 marked the first day U.S. households began receiving official Census Bureau mail with information on how to respond to the 2020 Census. Once invitations arrive, households can respond online, by phone, or by mail. Households can expect to receive their census packet by March 20.

As members of Congress become increasingly concerned about the spread of COVID-19, also called the coronavirus, agencies are stepping up guidance to employees regarding maintaining health and safety during the outbreak. Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that, for the majority of people, “the immediate risk of being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to be low,” but emphasizes the importance of preparedness. Read on for an overview of some of the actions taken by lawmakers and some agencies to prepare for the potential spread.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a final rule announcing the start of DNA collection from immigrants in federal custody beginning this spring. The rule is meant to fully enforce the DNA Fingerprinting Act of 2005, which requires the government to collect DNA samples “from individuals arrested, facing charges, or non-U.S. persons who are detained.”

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is partnering with agencies to increase use of assessments to determine which employees can be reskilled to meet changing workforce needs. The assessments are also being used within agencies to streamline the selection process for employees with skills to meet critical skills gaps.

Two senators have submitted a letter to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to obtain more information regarding staffing levels and needs at the agency. The senators also inquired about how the agency is prioritizing staffing needs.

The rapidly evolving technology landscape is moving too fast for privacy laws and regulations to evolve with it. To assist agencies and private sector organization in keeping up, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has rolled out a privacy framework to provide guidance on maintaining user privacy. At an event last week, NIST Director Walter Copan and NIST Senior Privacy Policy Advisor Naomi Lefkovitz explained how the framework can help agencies navigate their use of technologies.