Tom Temin
-
On today's Federal Newscast: The Defense Department is still the only federal department that's never earned a clean audit opinion. GOP lawmakers are trying to override a controversial cybersecurity regulation. And locality pay strikes again, as more than 33,000 federal employees will see additional raises in January.
November 17, 2023 -
As if pandemic, threats of nuclear war, and a lack of Tesla charging stations aren't enough to worry about, there is always the possibility that an asteroid could hit the earth and wipe-out all of us. A team at NASA discovered a way to alter the path of an asteroid, should one come too close and they garnered the distinction of being finalists in this year's Service to America Medals program, also known as the Sammies. For the details, Federal Drive Host Tom Temin talked with two members of NASA's Planetary Missions Program Office: Program Manager Brian Key and Mission Manager Scott Bellamy.
November 16, 2023 -
After rounds of FOIA requests and even litigation, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) received a copy of the A-10C and F-35A close air support fly-off test report. The test was to compare how both aircraft stack up in providing all-important close air support to ground troops. After analyzing the heavily redacted document, POGO analysts found that despite what the Air Force had been saying, it appears the F-35 may not be well-suited for providing that support.
November 16, 2023 -
(11/16/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The IRS' new CIO makes a move with vast experience and success modernizing legacy technology. Several key Biden administration nominees are moving forward in the Senate. And the GSA sees record spending through its contracts for IT products and services.
November 16, 2023 -
The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), is one of the main tools the agency relies on for environmental regulations, containing information on human health effects that may result from exposure to various chemicals in the environment. A new report from the EPA's inspector general, said the agency needs to do a better job of who has access to it. For more on the report, the Federal Drive with Tom Temin's Executive Producer Eric White talked with Jeremy Sigel, the IG office's Supervisory Audit Manager in the Information Resources Management Directorate.
November 16, 2023 -
Another shutdown countdown is upon us. If you're thinking, "didn't we just go through one?" You're right. All this uncertainty is taking a toll on agency operations and the folks that run the places. To get an idea of how these constant battles could effect things going forward, Federal Drive Executive Producer Eric White spoke with Max Stier, President and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service.
November 15, 2023 -
If Congress ever passes the 2024 Defense authorization bill, keep your eye on Section 804. It's now in the Senate version, and it is aimed at granting the Defense Department the rights to increasing amounts contractors' data more than it appears DoD needs for maintenance and operation of what it buys. Section 804 seems innocuous at first glance.
November 15, 2023 -
A new report from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) tested the durability of a new kind of way for people to vote. Electronic poll books, or e-poll books, look to replace paper records and allow access to digital voter registration records. As you can imagine though, with convenience comes the opportunity for that information to fall into the wrong hands. So have should e-poll books be secured? To dive into the topic, Federal Drive Executive Producer Eric White talked with Christy McCormick Chairwoman of the EAC.
November 15, 2023 -
In today's Federal Newscast: A Fort McNair Army civilian is guilty of charging thousands of dollars on a GSA gas card. A deputy archivist ends her federal service after more than three decades. And the Pentagon has a new responsible artificial intelligence toolkit.
November 15, 2023 -
It will be this new congressional leadership's first test to try and avoid a government shutdown. As usual, the ones who will be doing most of the watching will be federal contractors. There is a new initiative from the White House though, that will give them plenty to keep busy while the waiting game ensues. To get a pulse check on the contracting industry, Federal Drive Executive Producer Eric White talked with David Berteau, President and CEO of the Professional Services Council.
November 14, 2023 -
In July 1973, a fire damaged or destroyed up to 18 million Army and Air Force official military personnel files at the National Archives and Records Administration’s National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis. These records are important for veterans who are looking to make claims with the Veterans Affairs Department. So how did the government do in helping those whose records were lost or damaged in the fire? The VA's Office of Inspector General looked to answer that question with a recent audit. To learn what it found, Federal Drive Executive Producer Eric White talked with Brent Arronte, Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Audits and Evaluations with the VA OIG.
November 14, 2023 -
Anyone working in the last few years has likely encountered the DEI movement: diversity, equity and inclusion. The Biden administration expanded that by adding an "A" for accessibility.
November 14, 2023 -
In today's Federal Newscast: The Technology Modernization Fund Board awards $3.5 million to establish an online "lost and found” registry for unclaimed retirement benefits. A DoD official arrested last month for involvement in a dogfighting ring, has been replaced. And Kemba Walden will step down as acting National Cyber Director at the end of the week.
November 14, 2023 -
The Small Business Administration and the Defense Department recently launched an effort to boost private capital investment in critical technologies. The program will provide federal guarantees to investment in companies the Defense Department considers critical.
November 13, 2023 -
Among the recent inductees to the National Academy of Public Administration, is a former state budget official. For how the federal government looks from a state point of view, Federal Drive Host Tom Temin spoke with that official, Shelby Kerns, who is now the Executive Director of the National Association of State Budget Officers.
November 13, 2023