Integrating Program Integrity into Your Office
Tune in to FEDtalk this week to hear about how federal offices can mitigate fraud, waste, and abuse before the issue requires an oversight investigation. Joining our host, Natalia Castro, will be Linda Miller from Grant Thornton, Andrea Peoples from the Small Business Administration, and Rebecca Shea from the Government Accountability Office.
FMA and the Power of Advocacy
The Federal Managers Association (FMA) is hosting its annual national convention and management training seminar in Alexandria, Virginia, March 29 through April 1. The centerpiece of the event is the “Day on the Hill,” when FMA members will meet with members of Congress and their staffs to discuss issues important to their installation, their agency, and to FMA.
Exploring Varied Federal Environments in North Carolina
Huey and I experienced a wide range of environments in North Carolina. During the few weeks we were in the state, we faced below-freezing temperatures and days with highs in the seventies. We drove through rural farmland surrounding the Uwharrie Forest, suburban sprawl surrounding Research Triangle Park, and urban streets in Wilmington. We (tried to) visit the most modern of research facilities and saw the remains of a colonial settlement from over 200 years ago. We followed the trail of federal government involvement through all of these environments. I continue to be amazed at the vast scope of federal influence, which oversees the history and the future innovations coming out of North Carolina.
NIST Rolls Out Privacy Framework, Encourages Stakeholder Input
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.
OPM Changes ‘Time to Hire’ Reporting Instruction Based on Agency, Stakeholder Feedback
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has issued a memo to agencies notifying them of a change in how they should calculate and report “time to hire” (T2H) results. OPM hopes the change will be in effect for reporting due on March 20, 2020 to cover FY 2019. The changes are based on feedback the agency has received from agencies during human capital reviews (HCR) and other stakeholder feedback.
Bipartisan Lawmakers Introduce First Federal Financial Management Reform Since 1990
Senators from various Finance, Budget, and Oversight Committees have come together to introduce legislation to reform how federal officials spend taxpayer funds. The Chief Financial Officers (CFO) Vision Act of 2020 will standardize CFO responsibilities, among other reforms. The legislation, lawmakers note, is in response to the 115th Congress’ passage of the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018, which called upon agencies to use data to drive program reforms.
Government Files Petition for Rehearing En Banc in USERRA Case
The Social Security Administration (SSA) removed a preference-eligible veteran from his position as an attorney advisor near the end of his one-year probationary period due to allegedly poor performance. The employee filed for corrective action with the Merit Systems Protection Board, alleging that the agency violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) when it removed him because of his preference-eligible status. An MSPB administrative judge denied the request for corrective action, and the employee appealed to the Federal Circuit. On November 7, 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed the MSPB decision, and remanded the case to the MSPB for a determination of the appropriate corrective action. On January 22, 2020, before the remand took effect, the government filed a petition for rehearing en banc, asking that all judges of the Federal Circuit hear the case and rule on a “precedent-setting question of exceptional importance.”
Learn How to Manage People and Be a Better Leader
Managing requires more than technical skills. Here are tips for the character traits that build great managers.
Exploring Where President’s Day Meets Black History
Tune in to FEDtalk this week to hear about the impact of different presidents on black history in the United States. Joining our host, Jason Briefel, will be Matthew Costello from the White House Historical Association and Gabriel Greaves from the Prince George’s African American Museum & Cultural Center.
First Director of New Whistleblower Ombudsman Office Named
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has appointed Shanna Devine to serve as the first Director of the Whistleblower Ombudsman Office of the House of Representatives. The office was created in the House Rules package passed at the outset of the 116th Congress to assist the House in developing best practices for whistleblower intake and to provide trainings to House offices on how to safely and confidentially receive information from whistleblowers.
Senators Attempt to Halt Facial Recognition Use Pending Proper Regulation
Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) have introduced the Ethical Use of Facial Recognition Act to stop federal government use of facial recognition until comprehensive ethical guidelines can be created. The legislation provides exceptions for some federal law enforcement use and creates a commission to recommend uses for facial recognition in the future.
Deputy Director for Management at OMB Steps Down
After nearly three years of serving as Deputy Director for Management (DDM) at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Margaret Weichert has announced her return to the private sector. During her tenure, Weichert served concurrently as Acting Office of Personnel Management Director for nearly a year. Weichert led many administration priorities, including the reorganization of OPM.
Census Update: Honing in on Hard to Count Populations
The Census Bureau is working both internally and with its partners to guarantee local governments are aware of how to ensure hard-to-count populations are included in the 2020 census once enumeration begins on April 1. Kyla Fullenwider, who was the first Chief Innovation Officer for the U.S. Census Bureau, recently worked with Georgetown University’s Beeck Center to create a Digital Preparedness Playbook which guides local government through what to expect.
Applying Successes of Private Entities in Today’s Federal Agencies
There is no sugarcoating the fact that we need to redesign agencies to address modern problems and take advantage of modern tools. Any leader effectuating change in a federal agency needs to carefully consider how to meet the mission of the agency and manage the expectations of the public while working within federal regulations and budgetary restrictions. This is no different than any corporate leader, right?
7 Signs of Emotional Burnout
Don’t let burnout get the best of you. Here are signs you may need a break.
President Releases FY2021 Budget Proposal Featuring Pay Raise, Agency Cuts
The White House has released the President’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 budget request complete with sweeping agency cuts and some new reorganization proposals. While the budget request rarely translates into law due to compromises in Congress, it does signal the president’s priorities for the year.
House Passes Legislation to Provide Statutory Authority for GSA Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program
The House has passed legislation by voice vote to codify the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) within the General Services Administration (GSA) into law. The legislation also establishes a board to conduct security assessments into cloud computing services and to ensure cloud operators meet FedRAMP security guidelines.
Your six most important questions about WAEPA, answered.
Insurance can be confusing. Especially in the Federal space, where there is a sea of abbreviations for your benefits packages: TSP, FEHB, FERS, FEGLI, WAEPA, and the list goes on. To help you make sense of your life insurance options, we’ve compiled answers to your top six questions about WAEPA.