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The Service to America Medals honor federal employees who go above and beyond their job descriptions to serve the public. For the next few months, Federal News Radio will be speaking to many of the finalists. On today's Federal Drive, Tom Temin and Emily Kopp spoke with Miguel Roman, a research scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. His studies of thermal infrared imaging technology have helped authorities detect and fight wildfires. He's also used satellite imagery to quantify electricity use worldwide and map the impact of storms on the power grid. View photos and read more about each of this year's 33 finalists. In addition, read a Q&A with Miguel Román.
In Part 4 of the special report, Questioning Clearances, Federal News Radio examines the government's plan to use new technology to keep better tabs on cleared personnel on a near, real-time basis. But some experts wonder whether such a plan could be implemented successfully in the swift timelines sought by the government.
One of your colleagues has figured out a new way to find pieces of trash that are orbiting the Earth at more than 17,000 miles per hour. His creativity is now earning him some prestigious recognition. Richard Rast, a senior engineer for the Air Force Research Laboratory at the Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, is a finalist for a Service to America medal in the Science and Environment category. Read a Q&A with Richard Rast.
One day after Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki testified before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee about allegations of mismanagement at some VA health facilities, Dr. Robert Petzel stepped down as VA's undersecretary for health. Earlier in the month, the White House tapped Dr. Jeffrey Murawsky to be Petzel's replacement.
If only Sandra Bullock's character in "Gravity" had known Richard Rast, she might've avoided a space collision. The Partnership for Public Service named Rast as a 2014 Science and Environment Medal finalist for his innovated work.
The White House wants agencies to double their use of renewable energy. Agencies have until 2016 to come up with $2 billion in energy savings performance contracts above and beyond what they've already committed to. Dorothy Robyn is the former commissioner of the Public Buildings Service at the General Services Administration. She joined Tom Temin and Emily Kopp on the Federal Drive to discuss what agencies can do to take on this new push.
A new memo details about eight major changes to the education and knowledge requirement for civilian agency contracting officers. It calls for more than just training but a deeper knowledge of acquisition roles, responsibilities and how to ensure success.
The VA secretary promised the Senate Thursday that he will impose accountability for extended hospital wait times that may have led to veteran deaths, but not until investigations have run their course.
The General Services Administration is undertaking renovations of federally-owned buildings across the country. The modernized structures will save money, in part by reducing energy and water consumption. Locally, the agency has completed a makeover of the Parklawn Building in Rockville, Maryland. The once homely behemoth has gotten more than a face-lift. Victoria Hartke, director of the Office of Leasing at the General Services Administration's Public Buildings Service, spoke about the renovation with Tom Temin and Emily Kopp on the Federal Drive.
The Pentagon has issued a final rule for dealing with counterfeit parts. Officials believe too many of them make their way into crucial electronic systems, threatening their reliability or compromising their security. The rule has been a long time coming. It affects both government buyers and industry suppliers. Joe Petrillo, a procurement attorney with the law firm Petrillo & Powell, spoke about some of the main aspects of the rule with Tom Temin and Emily Kopp on the Federal Drive.
After nearly a year on the job, Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker is overseeing progress against five strategic pillars, including innovation, trade and management. She said she's trying to make sure employees feel connected to the vision and mission of the agency.
Jennifer Mattingley, director of government affairs for Shaw, Bransford and Roth, and Andy Medici from the Federal Times will give us an update on legislation affecting federal workers. May 14, 2014
Robyn East confirms she will leave after three years on the job.
Anne Rung, the associate administrator of the General Services Administration's Office of Governmentwide Policy, is heading to the Office of Management and Budget by the end of May to be a senior adviser.