People

Biden orders 2.7% pay raise for civilian feds

The pay hike was included in the administration's 2022 budget and takes effect early next year.

Cybersecurity

Microelectronics supply chain challenges and zero trust

When it comes to microelectronics supply chain, better security risk assessment as manufacturers base contend with ongoing threats.

People

GOP lawmakers seek answers on SSA's acting leadership

Five Republicans are asking the Government Accountability Office to clarify legal limits under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of the term and authorities of the acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration, who was installed after President Joe Biden fired two top leaders in July.

People

Austin mandates COVID vaccine for military

The defense secretary has ordered military departments to immediately begin mandatory vaccination programs with FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines.

Cybersecurity

DHS stands up new excepted service for cyber talent

The new human resources system, which is launching seven years after legislation authorizing special pay for cybersecurity specialists, is a complete move away from traditional federal HR practices, the agency said.

Acquisition

TMF, cyber EO drive modernization at Labor, CIO says

The unprecedented investment in IT and cybersecurity resources have provided agencies like the Department of Labor with a historic opportunity to tackle some of their loftiest modernization plans.

People

Want to lead in IT? Find a subject to master.

The former CIO at the IRS and DHS explains why early-career expertise is the key to successful leadership.

People

Biden names slate of FSIP appointees

Months after clearing out Trump appointees, Biden nominated appointees to fill the Federal Services Impasses Panel, a key institution in the federal labor-management relations space.

Acquisition

Can DOD make buying software easier?

FCW talked with Tory Cuff, senior advisor for agile acquisitions, to get a better understanding of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework's special software pathway and DOD's pilot experiment with "colorless" money.

Acquisition

CMMC board chief talks assessors, IT staff

Matt Travis, the CEO for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Accreditation Body, said proper training and IT access to the Defense Department's Enterprise Mission Assurance Support Service (eMASS) application, which will house CMMC data, still needs to be finalized for the third-party organizations that will be charged with conducting cyber assessments.

Cybersecurity

Army looks to revise cyber operations doctrine

Brig. Gen. Paul Stanton, the commanding general for the Army's Cyber Center of Excellence, said the service was in the final stages of publishing a revised field manual on how it executes cyber operations.

Modernization

Pilot IRS awards five scanning contracts

The IRS is using an innovative procurement program to test and deploy experimental solutions to digitize paper files as part of an agencywide effort to reduce the reliance on non-machine-readable documentation.

Acquisition

Watchdog says contractor oversight was lacking in Afghanistan

The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction's newest report calls out the government's failure to oversee contractors as a source of waste, fraud and abuse.

People

HHS mandates COVID vaccine for its public-facing clinicians

Nearly 25,000 HHS employees will be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19 amid a surge in national infections, Secretary Xavier Becerra announced on Thursday.

Modernization

White House orders compliance with 'critical software' protection measures

The Office of Management and Budget directed agencies to comply with software supply chain security measures as set out in the May cybersecurity executive order.

Acquisition

OMB report highlights major barriers to equity in federal programs

Onerous paperwork, complex requirements and opaque guidelines are just some of the many roadblocks preventing racial equity across government services, a new report says.

Cybersecurity

Inconsistent job coding may undercut DOD’s cyber workforce efforts

A DOD inspector general audit found that while the Pentagon has made strides, inconsistent job coding for civilian cyber work roles across filled and vacant positions may hinder recruiting and retention.

People

Feds who lie about vaccination status or avoid testing could face discipline

The Biden-Harris administration is looking into what feds could be subject to more stringent vaccination requirements in addition to the mandate for VA clinical staff, said Jeff Zients, COVID-19 response coordinator.

People

Biden puts his stamp on FLRA, Thrift Board

Biden's nominee to the general counsel at the FLRA could help clear a backlog of unfair labor practice charges from federal unions.

People

Biden tells civilian feds to get vaccinated or take regular COVID tests

As expected, the Biden-Harris administration rolled out new COVID-19 guidelines for the federal workforce as part of an overall strategy to increase the U.S. vaccination rate.