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The U.S. has experienced a hot summer so far. Yet one group of students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), are spending their time in heavy gear, learning to fight wildfires. It is part of a partnership between the U.S. Forest Service and a group of four HBCUs.
In today's Federal Newscast: The State Department has launched a Bureau of Global Health to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS. Airmen stuck overseas, due to lack of government money -- three weeks later -- have the funding. And top employees at the Interior Department get their telework opportunities cut to 50%.
Frontline contracting officers contend with a lot of policy. One thing about policy, it's always changing. And that can get in the way of basic efficiency and pricing considerations.
Two recent Supreme Court decisions changed the calculus for contractors when it comes to dealing with the False Claims Act. The court altered long-standing definitions of "reckless disregard" and "deliberate ignorance." And it gave the government more discretion over dismissing whistleblower cases under the false claims act.
The Coast Guard is famous for its field units up-and-down the coasts. They're the ones who launch search-and-rescue missions when fishing boats capsize or canoes drift into shipping lanes. But the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report has found the field units often don't have emergency food and water for themselves.
In today's Federal Newscast: Calling it "coercive," Ohio Congressman Brad Wenstrup goes after President Biden's 2021 get-it-or-be-fired vaccination order for feds. A union for federal employees is supporting a bill to make union dues tax deductible. And most Thrift Savings Plan funds were back in the black in July.
When the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action as practiced by Harvard University, it set off a tsunami. One of those giant waves is already washing over federal contracting.
The FAA's order for employees to return to the office didn't sit well with one of its unions. They call the order a clear violation of their collective bargaining agreement.
The defense authorization bills, while contentious, would do a lot for contractors; from inflation relief to easing greenhouse gas emissions reporting.
In today's Federal Newscast: Thrift Savings Plan participants can now manage their installment payments in My Account. The General Services Administration is asking whether another change is required in the way agencies buy cloud services. And it's negative over positive when it comes to the public judging experiences with federal services.
The House and Senate have a lot more to do for any chance of a budget by September 30. For one thing, the two chambers are $100 billion apart. This as they head out for a long August recess.
It was established in the steam-power and rotary engine era. And it remains relevant in the nuclear and jet propulsion era. The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) recently marked 100 years in business, and a history of helping U.S. naval forces keep their competitive advantage.
In today's Federal Newscast: Ransomware attackers steal the personal information of more than 600,000 Medicare beneficiaries. The Defense Department now has an independent military prosecutor for the most serious offenses. And the FDIC makes plans to plug three holes in the cloud.
Washington's ticker tape of controversy has wrapped around several agencies and departments. Republicans in Congress would fix things by cutting their budgets. But is that the best way to cause reform?