Tom Temin

• Here’s a novel way for contractors to pitch ideas to the Defense Department

  They work on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. They work just about everywhere. So why not short videos to pitch ideas to Defense Department program managers and contracting officers? That is the idea behind the year-old Tradewinds Project under the DoD's chief digital and artificial intelligence office.

  Defense

  October 30, 2023
• A promising new avenue to help prevent suicides among veterans

  Social media posts reveal a lot about the posters. That is why some agencies look at job candidates' or security clearance applicants' social media accounts. Now research shows how monitoring social media posts can reveal indicators of suicide … and therefore help prevent it. Federal Drive Host Tom Temin spoke with the man doing the research: Harvard psychology professor Matthew Nock, PH.D.

  Veterans Affairs

  October 30, 2023
• Furlough warning from Federal Labor Relations Authority chairman

  In today's Federal Newscast: The Transportation Security Administration is not retreating on certain cybersecurity rules. Correctional officers at Leavenworth federal penitentiary are holding a picket line today. And the Federal Labor Relations Authority Chairman sounds a warning about furloughs.

  Federal Newscast

  October 30, 2023
• With no time to lose, Congress is functional again, more or less

  The House of Representatives has a speaker, for now. That was a heavy lift. What comes next now that Capitol Hill is operational again. For this week's outlook, Federal Drive Host Tom Temin spoke with Bloomberg Government deputy news director Loren Duggan.

  Congress

  October 30, 2023
• This Air Force technologist has helped spread the internet everywhere

  If one theme applies to the federal career of this guest of Federal Drive Host Tom Temin, it might be innovation. In both civilian and military situations, she's brought new technology and new approaches to mission support.

  Air Force

  October 27, 2023
• NIST researchers take on software supply chain questions

  You scarcely hear the word "software" these days, without it being followed by "supply chain." One of the biggest topics in cybersecurity is how to make sure the thousands of pieces of a software program add up to something safe.

  Cybersecurity

  October 27, 2023
• State Dept, USAID psychiatrists spread thin as demand for mental health services overseas rises

  In today's Federal Newscast: Federal employees’ demand for mental health services overseas is rising, but help for them is spread thin. HHS surpasses targets for hiring military spouses. And bid protests spiked in fiscal 2022.

  Federal Newscast

  October 27, 2023
• The MSPB only looks like it’s gone dark

  The Board says the pause in the posting of appeals decisions should end next week.

  Workforce Rights/Governance

  October 26, 2023
• They helped write a big law and now they help to carry it out

  Somebody had to actually write the trillion dollar infrastructure bill back in 2021. Its proponents expect it to help modernize old bridges and highways, among other things. Federal Drive Host Tom Temin's guests helped Congress craft the bill. Now they're leading the Transportation Department team helping to implement it. For their work, they won this year's Service to America medal for management excellence. Gloria Shepherd is Executive Director of the Federal Highway Administration and Maria Lefevre is the Executive Director of the Office of the Undersecretary of Transportation.

  Management

  October 26, 2023
• A long-serving career executive has kept the proverbial trains running

  You might not know him by name, but Federal Drive host Tom Temin's guest oversees an operation that touches thousands of federal employees. He has also worked facilities, operations and budget analysis across the government. Now he's among the new members of the National Academy of Public Administration: Byron Adkins.

  Management

  October 26, 2023
• Bill would make non-feds who work at tribally-controlled schools TSP eligible

  In today's Federal Newscast: Thousands of non-feds would be eligible to join the Thrift Savings Plan under a new bill. Agencies must award at least 13% of all their prime contracts to Small Disadvantaged Businesses this fiscal year. And survivors of civilian federal employees killed in the line of duty are a step closer to receiving greater death benefits.

  Federal Newscast

  October 26, 2023
• With the world as it is, U.S. agility is more important than ever

  Widening military conflicts around the world have military planners in the U.S. on edge. For some perspective on resiliency, innovation and artificial intelligence in the Defense domain, the Federal Drive with Tom Temin visited the AUSA Conference in Washington earlier this month and spoke with former DoD and Navy chief information officer (and Army veteran) Terry Halvorsen, now with IBM.

  Defense

  October 26, 2023
• It’s a small but important detail: Are foreign contractor employees legit?

  In the endless quest for talent, federal contractors sometimes use foreign employees. A long-running program called E-verify lets employers confirm such potential employees are eligible to work in the United States. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found that agencies are not consistent in checking the E-verify system, as part of their contractor oversight.

  Agency Oversight

  October 25, 2023
• This career TSA lawyer focuses on everyone else’s career

  Americans probably interact with employees of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) more than those of any other agency. Behind that workforce are people you don't see as much. One of them has been honored with the Outstanding Senior Executive Professional of the Year award from the Senior Executives Association. Federal Drive Host Tom Temin spoke with Jennifer Ellison, TSA's Deputy Chief Counsel and former assistant chief counsel for employment, civil rights and labor policy.

  Workforce

  October 25, 2023