FCW Insider: Nov. 19

NTEU looks for a 'fresh start' for federal employees under Biden

The union's blueprint for immediate action joins with NAPA's working group on the federal workforce in calling for the next director of OPM to abandon a regulation-heavy approach.

Senate passes IoT cybersecurity bill

The legislation mandates minimum security requirements on internet of things devices bought by the federal government.

DOD fails third audit, but sees progress with cost savings

The Defense Department boasts cost savings as it chases a clean audit. But using the $1 billion audit to find savings could be short-sighted.

New bill looks to tighten cybersecurity waivers for civilian agencies

Two democratic lawmakers introduced legislation to increase oversight on waivers for cybersecurity measures at civilian agencies across the federal government.

Quick Hits

*** Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) led 40 lawmakers in a bill to block the implementation of President Donald Trump's executive order establishing a new workforce classification called Schedule F which will make it easier to fire and hire civil servants. The lawmakers are concerned that the implementation of the executive order in the waning days of the administration could reclassify and fire federal workers.

"Our country is facing a number of serious challenges that must be quickly and effectively tackled, from safeguarding our national security to addressing the coronavirus pandemic -- and non-partisan federal employees carry out this critical work," Peters said in a statement. "I am proud to lead this legislation that will prevent the Trump Administration from creating uncertainty for federal employees at a time when their work is incredibly important to protecting American lives."

*** The General Services Administration's commercial buying platform proof-of-concept is beginning to yield buying data from 350 agency users. In June, GSA tapped Amazon Business, Fisher Scientific and Overstock.com to provide a proof-of-concept online marketplace where agencies employees can buy commercial products priced below the micro-purchase threshold of $10,000 using government-issued purchase cards.

"We're beginning to get a first glimpse of the data from the platform, but it's too early to dive into the detail,” said Laura Stanton, GSA's assistant commissioner for IT Category in remarks during a Coalition for Government Procurement Nov. 18 webcast.

*** The Office of Personnel Management released guidance for rotational assignments for cybersecurity professionals, including areas of responsibility for home agencies, host agencies and participants. The memo from acting OPM Director Michael Rigas touts cybersecurity rotations as supporting, "organizational objectives with cybersecurity education, training, workforce development, and retention."

*** Continuous Diagnostic and Mitigation Program Manager Kevin Cox, Deputy Program Manager Betsy Kulick, Department of Energy acting Chief Information Security Officer Gregory Sisson and wide range of other officials are presenting today at FCW's CDM Summit. Click here to see the full agenda or register to join the virtual event.