Federal Drive with Tom Temin

The Army is taking the next step in its ambitions to start using small nuclear reactors to power critical infrastructure on at least some of its bases. This week, the service started the solicitation process for its Janus program via the Defense Innovation Unit, and assuming the technology works out the way the Army thinks it will, we now also know some of the first bases that are most likely to benefit from it. Details here from Federal News Network's Jared Serbu,See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Office of Personnel Management has kicked off another major human resources modernization effort. And unlike its effort to consolidate 119 different HR systems across the government, this one came with little fanfare. OPM is planning to revamp the USA Hire platform, which provides agency hiring managers candidate assessment tools, with the goal of making evaluations more efficient and leading to higher quality of applicants. For more on OPM's newest HR IT modernization initiative, Federal News Network executive editor Jason Miller joins me now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The National Armaments Consortium works with the Department of Defense to accelerate innovation in armaments technology. With five new industry veterans joining its Executive Committee, NAC is sharpening its focus on supply chain resilience, workforce development, and acquisition reform. I'll explore what's changing for NAC with Ben Harris and Joe Buzzett. Mr. Harris is the executive director of the National Armaments Consortium. Mr. Buzzett is NAC's Executive Committee Chair.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

USDA issued just five Animal Welfare Act fines in the 14 months after the Supreme Court's SEC v. Jarkesy decision, down from 63 in the prior period. Federal News Network's Eric White spoke with Animal Welfare Institute attorneys Ashley Ridgway and Joanna Makowska to understand what a securities fraud case has to do with animal protection enforcement.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton A Supreme Court securities case has frozen animal welfare enforcement across thousands of labs The National Armaments Consortium is gearing up for 2026 with fresh direction and a focus on armaments innovationSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A government watchdog is sounding the alarm about a growing national security threat, one that comes from the everyday digital traces service members and their families leave online. A new Government Accountability Office report warns that publicly accessible data from social media posts and location tracking to routine Defense Department press releases can be pieced together by bad actors to identify military personnel and disrupt military operations. GAO says the Pentagon has taken some steps to address the threat, but its efforts remain scattered and lack coordination. For more, Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis spoke with Joe Kirschbaum, director of the defense capabilities and management team at GAO.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A federal union is suing the Bureau of Prisons over the recent cancelation of its collective bargaining agreement. The lawsuit comes after BOP ended its contract in September, arguing that the union had become an "obstacle to progress." The American Federation of Government Employees is now alleging that the agency's decision violated the law. Here with more, Federal News Network's Drew Friedman.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Smart tax planning happens in November, not April. Private wealth advisor Thiago Glieger explains why federal employees earning over $145,000 face a major TSP catch-up contribution change in 2026 and how borrowing from TSP beats credit cards during financial hardship, and what tax-saving strategies can reduce next year's bill.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The group Disabled American Veterans is stepping up with a nationwide virtual job fair on November 25 and its next Patriot Boot Camp for veteran entrepreneurs in February 2026. These initiatives aim to help veterans and military families find meaningful work and build thriving businesses. Here with more on these two programs is Dan Clare, DAV's Chief Communications & Outreach Officer.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Imagine entering the Carousel of Progress at Disney World, but instead of showing you the possibilities of life in the future, it showed you what a government of the future may look like. That's the aim of The Future State Initiative. In collaboration with the Federation of American Scientists, it conducted an exercise imagining what the U.S. government should look like in 2050. Federal News Network's Eric White spoke with Loren DeJonge Schulman, Senior Advisor for Government Capacity at the Federation of American Scientists.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton What if we stopped fixing government at the margins and redesigned it from scratch? Two big opportunities are on the horizon for veterans, one to land a job, another to launch a business When paychecks stop and tax season looms, what moves should federal employees make?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Communications Commission is set to reverse cyber security rules for telecommunications providers. The Commission will meet Thursday to rescind requirements that were put in place following the Salt Typhoon hacks. For more, Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday joins me now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A bipartisan bill that would end the Trump administration's rollback of collective bargaining rights for most federal employees is guaranteed to get a full House vote now that the majority of lawmakers support it. A group of 218 lawmakers have signed on to a discharge petition that would force a floor vote. A Republican lawmaker co-sponsored the bill, and two other Republican lawmakers helped get this bill moving. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman is here with more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Saalex started as a small business with big ambitions. Today, it's a mid-market federal contractor betting on innovation, agility, and shared ownership to thrive in a fast-changing government landscape. Chairman and CEO Travis Mack shares how the company scaled up and why an AI-first culture is central to its future in this episode of "Government Contractors to Watch" sponsored by JP Morgan Chase. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

New data from Cytactic shows that 70% of security leaders say internal misalignment creates more disruption than the threat actor itself. From unrehearsed plans to unclear authority, organizations are struggling to respond effectively even with strong tech in place. Josh Ferenczi, Head of Strategy at Cytactic, explains what leaders should do now to close the readiness gap.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A recent decision from the Federal Communications Commission has the nation's public libraries concerned. It had to do with a program aimed at providing publicly available high speed broadband internet, particularly in rural areas. However a recent vote by the agency ends its support of the program. For a look at how public libraries will look to adjust, we welcome Sam Helmick, President of the American Libraries Association. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton When the hotspots go dark, who connects the unconnected? When a cyberattack hits, breakdowns inside the organization may be as dangerous as the hackers themselvesThis firm is using employee ownership and AI to stay ahead in federal contractingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Defense Logistics Agency may have solved two problems. Every agency tends to struggle with attracting new and innovative companies and changing the culture of its workforce to work with those companies. DLA's tech accelerator team has shown over the last several years that it can use private sector methods to take an agile approach to solving problems, using interviews, data and market research. For more on the tech accelerator team, Federal News Network's executive editor Jason Miller, talked with David Koch, the Director of Research and Development at the Defense Logistics Agency.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Last week's conclusion of the record breaking government shutdown was great news for federal employees in general, but for a few thousand feds, it was even better news. They'd been told they were about to lose their jobs completely, and those positions are now safe. That's thanks to a provision of the legislation that undid reductions in force that happened during the shutdown. Recent court documents shed more light on exactly how many employees the Trump administration tried to fire during that timeframe. Federal News Network's Jared Serbu is here with more details on what we learned from those tallies. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Army is racing to field a prototype assault aircraft by early 2027 that flies twice as fast and twice as far as the Black Hawk. Colonel Jeffrey Poquette and Bell's Ryan Ehinger explained to Federal News Network's Jared Serbu how 215 flight hours on the V-280 Valor demonstrator proved tilt rotor technology works, why maintainers with virtual toolboxes are fixing design problems before metal gets cut, and how digital twins for every aircraft will slash 70% of lifecycle costs typically spent on sustainment.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Contracting officers and contractors are facing a mosaic of updates, everything from FAR deviations to new DoD priorities like speed and portfolio-based acquisition. Emily Murphy, Senior Fellow at the Baroni Center for Government Contracting at George Mason University, is here with advice on how 1102s and businesses can keep it all straight while dealing with increasing workloads. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The nation's waterways may have some more reckless driving on them. Among the Trump administration's cuts to government spending, the Coast Guard planned to cut funding for boating safety grants to states and non profits. To find out what this could mean for the maritime community and to get a little more insight into how they work, Federal News Network's Eric White spoke with David Kennedy, Government Affairs Manager for the boat insurance company, BoatUS.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton What keeps recreational boaters safe, and what happens if the funding dries up? Now that the shutdown is over, contracting officers have a lot to catch up on Can digital engineering cut a decade-long test program in half?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Trump administration is looking to hire thousands of federal law enforcement personnel as part of expanded immigration enforcement efforts. But the courts handling these cases aren't seeing the same surge in resources. Several immigration judges recently fired by the Justice Department say the court system is losing staff and it's unable to address a multi million case backlog. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman is here with more details.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As Congress works to finalize the fiscal 2026 defense policy bill, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren is calling out a leading industry group for trying to block bipartisan right to repair efforts that would give soldiers the ability to fix their own equipment. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis is here to help us sort it out. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After weeks of gridlock, the government is open, but scars from the shutdown remain and the clock is ticking toward January 30. Lawmakers face a packed agenda, from appropriations to hearings and a health care vote, with little room to avoid another showdown. Joining us with the outlook is Mitchell Miller, Capitol Hill Correspondent for WTOP.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

ERT's legacy in space and Earth science is evolving under CEO Mark Lee. His strategy blends innovation, infrastructure, and collaboration to position the company for complex federal projects. Lee shares how ERT is scaling without compromising the mission in this episode of "Government Contractors to Watch" sponsored by JP Morgan Chase. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From back pay delays to contractor backlogs, agencies face a cascade of challenges as they restart operations. Bill Hoagland, senior vice president at the Bipartisan Policy Center, has seen shutdowns and recoveries before. He's here to explain what it takes to restore continuity and prepare for the next funding deadline.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton What really happens in a shutdown and what does it really take to reopen the government?This federal contractor is reinventing itself by shifting from services to solutionsThe lessons lawmakers took from the shutdown, and what they have to do before funding runs out again on January 30th.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thousands of federal contractors today are watching their inboxes, waiting for a message from their agency customers that their invoices for work done over the last two months have been accepted. Many of those bills are more than 30 days old, triggering interest payments due to the companies. At least one veteran owned HUBZone firm has about $20 million in outstanding invoices that are now more than 30 days old. Federal News Network's executive editor Jason Miller joins me to discuss why agencies now face a new challenge with the shutdown ending, complying with the Prompt Payment Act. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The bill that reopened the government also includes a temporary extension of a landmark cyber information law, the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 expired on October 1. Now it's in force again, at least until January 30. Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday joins me with more on what could be a complicated reauthorization path for CISA 2015. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From digitizing pay and HR processes to professionalizing recruiters and accelerating policy change, Army personnel leaders are pushing hard to modernize how the service manages its people. Lieutenant General Thomas Eifler, Army G-1, and Sergeant Major Christopher Stevens met me at the AUSA conference to discuss how technology and leadership are shaping retention, readiness, and the future of the total force.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The FAR Council eliminated a third of commercial contracting clauses, streamlined registration, and rewrote major acquisition rules in a summer; all released just before the shutdown. Now agencies are adopting the revolutionary FAR overhaul at different speeds, leaving contractors navigating a patchwork of new procedures while dealing with expiring contracts and furloughed contracting officers. Former GSA Administrator Emily Murphy breaks down what's actually revolutionary about these changes, why vendors must comment on what works (not just what doesn't), and the hard choices contractors face when deciding whether to extend work at their own risk during the lapse. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton When the FAR gets a revolutionary overhaul and the government shuts down, who's reading the fine print? Army personnel leaders are pushing hard to modernize how the service manages its people.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A spending deal to end the longest government shutdown also keeps some agencies funded through the end of the fiscal year. That includes the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is still going through an agency reorganization. Lawmakers have included language that ensures the VA doesn't shed too many employees. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman is here with more insight. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For years, the Cyber CORPS Scholarship for Service program has provided agencies with a steady pipeline of cyber talent, but now the program is at a crossroads as Cyber CORPS students struggle to find work amid the ongoing federal hiring freeze, many are now facing the prospect of having to pay back their scholarship. Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday joins me with more info on this situation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Army is realigning its missile defense forces to prioritize homeland protection, placing two key commands under Space and Missile Defense Command. I spoke with Lieutenant General Sean Gainey, commander of Army's Space and Missile Defense Command, at this year's AUSA conference to understand how this shift fits into a broader strategy that includes space operations, a new MOS, and lessons from today's global conflicts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Small businesses funded through the SBIR program have developed drugs generating $36 billion in annual sales; treating everything from Hodgkin's lymphoma to breast cancer. Now, nearly two months into the program's lapse, those cash-strapped innovators face mounting uncertainty as solicitations freeze and funding disappears. Jere Glover of the Small Business Technology Council joins us with an update. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The SBIR program channels federal R&D funding to small businesses with high-risk, high-reward technologies, fueling innovation in areas like defense, health, and energy. Some groups want to pair that reauthorization with reforms to improve oversight and commercialization. Here with one set of proposals is Eric Blatt, Executive Director of the Alliance for Commercial Technology in Government and a partner at Scale LLP.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton It's time to reauthorize the Small Business Innovation Research Program What happens when the small business pipleline for lifesaving drugs goes dark? The Army is updating its missile defense strategy and shifting command focus to better protect the homelandSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Defense Acquisition System as you know it, is dead. That's according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who promised to completely change how the Pentagon does business. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis is here with more of the details.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Trump administration scrapped this year's Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey. That's the government's signature assessment of trends in the federal workforce. But in the absence of FEVS, a new opportunity has emerged for federal employees to make their voices heard. Federal News Network's Drew Friedman got more from experts at the Partnership for Public Service, which has just launched its first ever public service Viewpoint Survey. Michelle LaMonte is Senior Vice President of government programs, and Max Steyer is the partnership's president and CEO. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.