Ruben Gomez covers civilian agencies with a focus on workforce issues.

TSP plans RFP to improve data center security by year's end

The contract includes "very stringent" IT security requirements. The announcement follows a data breach that affected 123,000 TSP participants in 2011.

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Federal CTO plans new networking tool to spur innovation

The Innovation Networking Project will supplement traditional, face-to-face, networking with the goal of connecting federal visionaries, Todd Park said. He hopes the end result will remove stovepipes that have prevented big thinkers from finding each other.

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Agencies increase proportion of Hispanics in workforce

Hispanics accounted for more than eight in 100 civilian federal employees in 2011. The minority group also made gains in the Senior Executive Service and represented the third largest ethnic group in the federal government.

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GAO, FPS disagree over ability to assess federal building risk

The Modified Infrastructure Survey Tool does not provide information about the consequences of security incidents at federal facilities, a GAO auditor said. As a result, agencies cannot effectively deploy countermeasures. Still, Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.) said he was happy with FPS' progress in developing MIST.

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HUD, VA test revamped performance management system

HUD is one of five agencies piloting a performance management system, called GEAR. The new approach aims to eliminate a disconnect between organizational goals and employee performance.

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Ethics nominee asks Congress to change insider trading law

Walter Shaub Jr. said the STOCK Act could cause unintended consequences for federal employees' privacy and safety. Shaub said he favors revisions aimed at striking a balance between the need to protect personal information and the law's requirement to disclose stock trades.

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ATF mulls virtual desktops for contractors in cost reduction effort

The agency spends thousands of dollars per user on computers for contractors and task force officers. ATF's chief information officer said those individuals could easily use their own devices to access virtual desktops that provide the same functionality.

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FERC goes back to Congress again for more cyber oversight

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said it needs authority to enforce cybersecurity standards. The agency also wants Congress to expand its jurisdiction over electric grid operators.

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HR University looks to gain college accreditation for agency training

The initiative aims to provide federal employees with college credit for certain agency-created human resources classes. Federal employees could apply the courses toward degrees at colleges and universities.

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OPM paves path to automated telework tracking

The system will automatically collect information about how often federal employees telework and for how long. The change will paint a more accurate, detailed picture of federal employees' teleworking habits.

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DoD leaders advocate plug-and-play IT buying

Defense leaders say the Pentagon should skip buying IT for some major systems until contractors finish production. Many big projects take years to complete, meaning the technology inside becomes outdated by project completion.

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Need to 'rally the troops' stymies spread of telework

Some managers find it difficult to lead employees working outside of the building. But hesitant leaders can find comfort in setting realistic expectations based on information gathered while employees are in the office.

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CHCO recommends employee-sharing as budget salve

Managers should consider allowing employees to solve problems in other parts of government. Doing so is an effective way for agencies to improve workers' skillsets and maximize resources, said retiring Energy Department HR chief Mike Kane.

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Some advocate for banking services as USPS savior

The Postal Service should once again offer government-backed savings and accept deposits like it did in 1911, an expert said. Those services have proved to be effective money- makers in foreign postal systems, generating up to 50 percent of their revenue.

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House committee remains mum on federal pay raises

The Financial Services and General Government spending bill seeks to cut $2 billion from the president's request. The bill says nothing about granting feds a pay raise in 2013. The House committee follows the lead of Senate appropriators, which also remained silent on the issue.

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How federal managers can weather election-season uncertainty

The best way to prepare for November's presidential election is to avoid political distractions. Managers also should prepare a list of programs they wish to cut.

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DoD announces new mobile strategy

With the plan, defense leaders hope to harness the best that wireless technology can offer. The strategy includes goals for secure information sharing via voice, video and data feeds. It also promotes app development.

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Vendors start to see contracts slowing down with sequestration looming

Contractors warn of possible layoffs due to potential budget cuts. Some companies are in waiting mode to see what happens with Congress over the next six months.

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Obama to oppose one-week stopgap bill

President Obama will veto a House bill that would make appropriations for the Defense Department for the remaining six months in this budget year.

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