Tech

IRS Backs Away From Facial Recognition Technology

The move comes after a letter from Senate Finance Committee chair Sen. Ron Wyden urged the tax agency to end a controversial contract with ID.me that requires taxpayers to submit biometric data to file tax returns online.

Management

Biden’s Latest Executive Order Seeks to Promote Efficiency in Federal Construction Contracting

The move aligns the administration's goals of increasing participation in unions and using federal procurement to advance equity.

Tech

The Defense Department and GSA Are Seeking Clean Electricity to Meet Emissions Targets

The federal government's two top buyers of electricity are exploring ways to procure carbon-pollution free electricity to meet the demands of a Biden administration executive order.

Tech

Agencies Are Tapping a Facial Recognition Company to Prove You’re You. That Raises Concerns about Privacy, Accuracy and Fairness

Federal and state governments are turning to a facial recognition company to ensure that people accessing services are who they say they are. The move promises to cut down on fraud, but at what cost?

Workforce

A New NAPA Report Backs a Shift in Leadership for Cyber Workforce Development

A new study from the National Academy of Public Administration recommends that the newly established Office of the National Cyber Director develop and implement a coordinated, multi-sector strategy for the cybersecurity workforce, which faces chronic workforce shortages.

Management

The Deadline is Here for Federal Contractors to Start Paying at least $15 an Hour

This comes as a “record number” of states and localities are increasing their minimum wages in 2022.

Management

New Interagency Council Will Further ‘Made in America’ Efforts

“From day one, President Biden has made clear that when the federal government spends taxpayer dollars, it should support American workers and businesses,” said an administration official. 

Management

GAO Uses Covert Testing Scheme to Assess SBA Screening Processes For Tribal Firms in 8(a) Program

The Government Accountability Office sent applications from four fake firms to the Small Business Administration's 8(a) program to see whether SBA had made progress addressing long-standing oversight issues.

Management

Falling Short on Government's Promises to Disabled Vets

Agencies are failing to achieve contracting goals to support small businesses owned by service-disabled veterans.

Oversight

Agencies Are Getting Better at Using the Defense Production Act for Pandemic Response

A watchdog report shows progress just as the Biden administration plans to increase reliance on the law to combat the omicron variant.

Management

GovExec Daily: The State of the Contractor Vaccine Mandate

Courtney Bublé joins the podcast to discuss the state of play and the injunction.

Management

Lawsuit Challenges Biden’s Contractor Minimum Wage Regulation

The rule is “an executive power grab to force a social agenda through federal contractors,” said the legal team.

Management

The Federal Government Is Making a New Investment in Women-Owned Small Businesses

The Small Business Administration is elevating its Office of Women’s Business Ownership to report directly to the SBA administrator, raising its profile and power.

Management

What Does the Partial Blocking of the Contractor Vaccine Mandate Mean? 

Overall, this has been a “very, very complicated area,” said one contracting expert. 

Management

Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Contractor Vaccine Mandate in Three States 

“This is not a case about whether vaccines are effective. They are,” wrote the judge. 

Management

Infrastructure Package Furthers Made-in-America Efforts

Also, the Office of Management and Budget has started making public the waivers to domestic preference laws.