IRS Looks to BioCatch to Verify Users
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has been testing several systems to authenticate the identity of individuals using their online systems to access information. The agency has pursued several authentication tools in the last few years and has now announced a sole-source contract with BioCatch for a proof-of-concept that would incorporate behavioral analytics into the agency’s eAuthentication (eAuth) system.
MSPB September Newsletter Highlights Ways to Improve Performance Appraisals
In the Merit Systems Protection Board’s (MSPB) September Newsletter, Office of Policy and Evaluation Director James Read made note of the current shortfalls of the performance appraisal system and encourages agencies to make improvements. Director Read used the results of the 2016 Merit Principles Survey (MPS) as a guide for getting more out of annual reviews.
By Land or By Sea: How the Federal Government Preserves and Protects in Maine
Huey and Maya begin their journey in the state of Maine, visiting current and historical federal sites.
Plan To Protect Federal Employee Credit In Shutdown Exits House Committee On Party Line Vote
The House Financial Services Committee voted on Friday to advance a measure that would protect the credit of federal employees impacted by a government shutdown. While the legislation has support in the House, privacy concerns voiced by Republicans could mean the bill faces an uphill battle in the Senate.
Building a Data Culture & Strategy - A Webinar for Federal Leaders
Join SEA and the Data Society for a free webinar on federal data strategy. With the new Federal Data Strategy and focus on working with big data, it's more important than ever for government agencies to start implementing data-driven strategies.
OPM Sends Memo to Agencies on More Efficient Hiring
In a memo released to agencies on Friday from the Office of Personnel Management, OPM Acting Director Margaret Weichert outlined ways agencies can change their hiring practices to better evaluate candidates. A key pillar of this plan is involving subject matter experts in the decision-making process.
Members of Congress Urge President to Fill IG Vacancies
Members of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs wrote the president last week urging him to fill vacant inspector general (IG) positions in the federal government. The letter outlines current vacancies and expresses the importance of stable, permanent leadership.
The High Stakes of Human Capital Management
Tune in to FEDtalk this week for a discussion on the human capital management within the federal government. Across the federal government reforms are underway, but the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has warned that reforms may be unsuccessful without a focus on human capital management. Experts from the GAO will discuss how human capital is impacting several key reforms underway in this administration and the federal workforce as a whole.
Rep. Haaland Introduces BADGES Act With Bipartisan Support
Representative Deb Haaland (D-NM) has formally introduced legislation to improve federal law enforcement reporting mechanisms for missing and murdered indigenous women. The Bridging Agency Gaps and Ensuring Safety for Native Communities Act (BRIDGES Act) was introduced upon the return from recess with 10 cosponsors, five Democrats and five Republicans.
White House Holds AI Summit
At a summit hosted on Monday, the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy gathered tech leaders from across the federal government to learn about current uses of artificial intelligence (AI) and discuss the technology’s future. The event focused on how the federal government invests in research and development, collects and provides vast data resources, and regulates the new technology.
Presidential Management Fellows Program Honors Agency Leaders
Last week the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) program awarded seven individuals who have assisted the program in ushering in a new generation of workforce employees. During the event, PMF Director Arianne Gallagher discussed future prospects for the program and Senior Executives Association (SEA) Executive Director Jason Briefel discussed new approaches to human capital management.
House To Vote On Stopgap Measure
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed a temporary funding measure, or continuing resolution (CR), to fund the government until December 20. House members voted Tuesday with the hopes of moving the legislation to the Senate for a vote later in the week and onto the president’s desk for signature before the current CR expires at midnight on Thursday.
Action Plan: Life Insurance Awareness Month 2019
Being insured by WAEPA offers more than just Group Term Life Insurance.1 After over 75 years of serving Civilian Federal Employees, our objective has remained the same: to provide access to products and services that promote the health, welfare and financial well-being of our members. In honor of September’s Life Insurance Awareness Month (also known as LIAM), we’re giving you the tools to properly review your policy.
First Circuit: No Need to Correctly Label Legal Theory for OSC Exhaustion
An ICE Supervisory Special Agent delivered a document to a colleague at the direction of his supervisor, the Assistant Special Agent in Charge. The colleague (a Special Agent) later used the document in support of his own whistleblower case against the Agency. After the Agency learned of the Supervisory Special Agent’s involvement in his colleague’s appeal, he was not selected for promotion, and received a lower-than-normal performance appraisal. He then filed a complaint with the Office of Special Counsel, alleging that the agency retaliated against him for providing information to his colleague that was later used in his colleague’s appeal.
President’s Pay Plan for 2020 Endorses Pay Raise
In a letter to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate, President Trump has endorsed a pay increase for all federal employees with no locality pay increase. This plan goes against the president’s previously proposed pay freezes for federal employees. Congress must now pass funding measures to determine the exact pay increase federal employees will receive.
Department of Energy Teams Up with Private Sector on AI, Neurological Disorders
The Department of Energy (DOE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Weill Family Foundation to cooperate on Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects as they relate to multidisciplinary and translational research of neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other priorities.
Disaster Contract Bill Aims At Increasing Transparency
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed a temporary funding measure, or continuing resolution (CR), to fund the government until December 20. House members voted Tuesday with the hopes of moving the legislation to the Senate for a vote later in the week and onto the president’s desk for signature before the current CR expires at midnight on Thursday.
Sorting Through Cybersecurity Part 1: The Industry Perspective
As the federal government becomes increasingly digital, it also becomes increasingly at risk for cyberattacks. Experts in the cybersecurity community will discuss what these threats look like and how the federal workforce can prepare for them.