Workforce

Efforts to right-size agency real estate portfolios are often stymied

COMMENTARY | “There is a path forward and relevant, recent examples exist,” writes one former federal real estate official who urges the Biden administration to embrace the hybrid work model.

Management

Agencies would see sped up transition timelines and more resources for career officials under bipartisan bill

The Senate measure would mark the latest in a series of updates to make presidential transitions more orderly and efficient.

Pay & Benefits

GSA could soon update some relocation expense reimbursement caps more regularly

It’s been more than a decade since the agency updated the maximum amounts of payments for miscellaneous relocation expenses that don’t require itemized receipts.

Oversight

House committee wants FBI headquarters documents outlining Greenbelt decision

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure chairman called for more information from the FBI, General Services Administration and the former official charged with selecting the site of the Bureau’s proposed headquarters about how the decision came to pass.  

Management

GSA, FBI still at odds over headquarters selection, while House subcommittee smells ‘a rat’

Officials from the two agencies continued airing their dissenting positions over the Greenbelt site selection of the new FBI headquarters Tuesday, while subcommittee Chairman Scott Perry, R-Pa., found the site’s connection to WMATA incredulous. 

Management

House Oversight members take aim at former GSA official in request for FBI headquarters investigation

Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., and member Gerry Connolly, D-Va., called on the General Services Administration’s acting inspector general to investigate potential political influence in the agency’s decision to select Greenbelt, Md., for the FBI’s main office.

Management

Reorganizing government acquisition for the digital age

The General Services Administration recently reorganized its Federal Acquisition Service, eliminating its regional structure, a move its commissioner Sonny Hashmi says is already yielding positive results.

Management

Federal buildings’ deferred maintenance costs are soaring, GAO says, here’s how agencies can help

The cost of delayed repairs to federal facilities swelled 58% between fiscal 2017 and 2022, and the watchdog said that agencies can be doing more to inform about the backlog. 

Oversight

Login-dot-gov is 'fraudulent,' says House Republican gunning to defund 18F

Texas Republican Pete Sessions said 18F “misled and lied to the government” about the credentialing service’s capabilities .

Management

How Greenbelt won the FBI’s new headquarters

The agency’s pick for its new headquarters won out over sites in Virginia and Maryland despite being the smallest buildable offering. The choice has sparked some controversy.

Management

The White House launches a contractor initiative centered on better data and performance

The Office of Management and Budget detailed an enterprise-wide government contracting plan Wednesday centered on data-based buying and projected to save $10 billion annually. 

Management

GSA plans $2 billion in cleaner construction projects

The agency is utilizing funding from the Inflation Reduction Act to support 150 construction projects using “low-embodied carbon” materials.

Management

Biden administration plans a multi-agency effort to surge AI recruitment

Officials at the General Services Administration celebrated their forthcoming role to help recruit an AI-fluent workforce across the government, pursuant to the EO’s priorities.

Management

GSA starts the bidding for employee travel system competition

The General Services Administration will choose a single company to provide a "configurable (and) commercial" service that manages travel and expense services for other civilian agencies.

Pay & Benefits

Per diem rates for federal workers will increase this fall, GSA says

The standard lodging rate will jump by nearly $10 beginning in October, as the government continues to confront recent inflation.

Management

Ohio congressman urges new FBI headquarters in Alabama, not suburban D.C. 

As years-long battle between Maryland and Virginia continues for the HQ, Rep. Jim Jordan suggests Huntsville as alternative.

Management

Post-pandemic, most agency headquarters are only one-quarter full

Agency officials say they are worried telework policies will change and therefore they must retain their underutilized buildings.

Management

The federal government has more than 8,000 vacant properties. Why aren’t they being used to house the homeless?

A 2016 law says unused federal properties should be turned over to help the homeless. But a complex process and bureaucratic requirements are making that nearly impossible.

Management

The Supreme Court tosses case over Trump hotel documents

The House Democrats who brought the case years ago moved to dismiss the case earlier this month.