Quick Hits

*** The Federal Trade Commission is seeking a technology fellow for its new Technology Task Force, which was created to look at competition, antitrust issues and enforcement in technology markets, including online advertising and social media. Candidates are expected to have expertise in algorithms, databases, operating systems, APIs and other software and programs that drive online businesses, but an advanced degree in computer science is not required. The post, based in FTC's headquarters in Washington, D.C., lasts for one year but can be extended for a second year.

*** The Department of Agriculture plans to fire employees of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Economic Research Service who declined to relocate to the Kansas City region as part of a reorganization by Sept. 30.

Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.) slammed the move, saying the agency is going to send termination letters even to employees who requested extensions on the decision to move. "[USDA] Secretary Perdue is ignoring his own Inspector General, he is ignoring Congress, and he is ignoring many of the farmers he supposedly serves. This relocation needs to be halted immediately," Wexton said in a statement.

*** The General Services Administration released travel per diem rates for federal employees for fiscal year 2020. Reimbursement rates for lodging will tick up slightly but rates for meals and incidental expenses are unchanged. The new rates don't take effect until Oct. 1.