As agencies responded to the novel coronavirus, telework restrictions were loosened and before we knew it federal workers were directed to use maximum telework. Then something amazing happened – they accomplished their mission.

Pandemic response has acted like a pressure test for federal IT systems and related modernization funding.

Most federal civil servants are either working from home or in a furloughed status, but all are getting paid. By contrast at least 40 million American workers have been fired or furloughed and are seeking unemployment benefits.

While most feds oppose WEP and GPO, today’s guest columnist said he’s looked at the background, crunched the numbers and in his opinion they are fair.

Outdated government IT systems and processes hinder many federal and state agencies’ ability to deliver services. This fact has been well known and disturbingly unresolved, even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

We need to focus on the new authority we have for unpriced services contracts and incorporate that so that we can really focus on the technical qualifications of vendors and drive down pricing at the task order level when it matters most.

Mike Hettinger and Richard Beutel, who represent Unison, a reverse auction platform provider, make the case for why Congress should let agencies use the acquisition tool for personal protective equipment.

Many of you are the reason for the special passes which often allow you, on behalf of us, to go into harms’ way every day, as part of the job.

Given the impact of the pandemic on the economy, and on prices, it is unlikely that retirees who get cost of living adjustments most years will be getting a COLA in January 2021.