The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

Reauthorization of the Small Business Innovation Research Program, or SBIR is caught in a tug of war. New Age venture capitalists want to modernize the 43 year old program. Long time supporters say legislation is trying to solve problems that don't exist or are overstated. Meanwhile, the SBIR program is at risk of losing its authorization on September 30, for more on the debate that is encompassing the SBIR reauthorization effort federal news networks. Executive Editor Jason Miller joins me now with details and analysis. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A former Department of government efficiency employee who served at the Department of Veterans Affairs say Doge has fallen short on some of its goals, and government is more efficient than he expected. The VA made some changes during his tenure, but he says agencies need to hire more tech talent to make meaningful changes Federal News Network's Jory Heckman joins me with more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Justice Department has issued new guidance warning that all federally funded programs must comply with antidiscrimination laws. That means no preferences, no proxies, and no exceptions based on intent. The memo outlines legal risks and best practices for avoiding violations, and it’s already raising questions for contractors and grantees. To walk us through what’s in the guidance and what it means for compliance, I'm joined by Co-Chair of the Employment + Labor Practice at Morrison Foerster, Andrew Turnbull.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

September usually brings a rush of year-end contract obligations—but not this year. Contractors are seeing delays, waiting on payments,, and watching Capitol Hill for signs of a continuing resolution or a shutdown. Here with guidance for navigating the uncertainty, updates us on the FAR rewrite, and previews PSC’s September 16 Hill event is Executive Vice President for Policy at the Professional Services Council, Stephanie Kostro.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A year after launching the Postal Service Health Benefits Program, the Office of Personnel Management is facing critical resource shortfalls that threaten its ability to sustain operations. An Inspector General audit warns that without urgent staffing and funding fixes, OPM may struggle to process enrollments, manage benefits, and maintain service for more than 800,000 postal employees and retirees during the 2025 open season. Here to explain what's at stake is the Group Chief, Community-Rated Audits Group, OPM Office of the Inspector General ,Matthew Knupp.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 new guidance memo from DOJ warns that equity goals don't override anti-discrimination law in federal programs An IG report flags deep resource risks in the postal health benefits program With a possible government shutdown looming, contractors are looking for guidanceSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's September already, and in most years, we've had had at least a hint of what next year's Federal employee pay raise would be several months ago, but the Trump administration waited until almost the last possible minute to disclose its pay raise plans. The answer, 1% for most federal employees. Some law enforcement officers will get a much bigger raise, but we still don't know how many or in which agencies, Federal News Network's Jared Serbu has been covering the pay raise news that dropped over the Labor Day weekend, and he's here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Pentagon has slashed its independent weapons testing office and reduced its oversight portfolio by nearly 100 programs. The project on government oversight says the Army's new XM7 rifle program, formally the next generation squad weapon, is by far the most alarming omission. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis 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.

The VA launched a centralized operations center to improve how it handles military sexual trauma claims but a new Inspector General report says the effort brought minimal change. And with VA staffing levels shrinking, the risks to claim accuracy and timely support are only growing. Here to break down what went wrong and what it means for veterans counting on the system to work is the Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Audits and Evaluations at the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General, Brent Arronte.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For thousands of Americans with visual impairments, federal acquisition means possibility. Through National Industries for the Blind, meaningful work becomes a path to independence, dignity, and purpose. The organization plays a unique role in federal contracting, blending mission with impact. Here to share how that mission is changing lives is Sorraya Corea, President and CEO of NIB.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.