The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

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.

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton Opening doors for Americans who can’t see, but refuse to be unseen A VA fix for sexual trauma claims was supposed to help, but veterans are still waiting for results Congress is back, and the collision of politics and policy is about to get loudSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A Treasury Department watchdog is conducting an audit to see if IRS employees are reporting to the office as often as they claim. President Donald Trump ordered federal employees to return to the office full time soon after taking office himself, but some IRS employees say they're working in unsuitable conditions. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has more on all of this.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

$1 contracts for access to leading edge artificial intelligence companies may be too good to be true. The General Services Administration's recent awards to Open AI and Anthropic are facing protests before the Government Accountability Office with details about the protests and why one vendor is crying foul, Federal News Network's 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 IRS is facing another shake-up at the top, with the loss of its Senate-confirmed commissioner, a new acting Chief Counsel stepping in, and the Chief of Appeals heading for retirement. That’s on top of a 25% staff reduction and deep budget cut, all of which raise serious questions about how the agency will handle enforcement, taxpayer services, and policy implementation. Here to unpack what this leadership churn means for taxpayers and the future of tax administration, is partner at Fox Rothschild, Matthew Lee.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal agencies are shifting their small business contracting goals, but not all small firms are seeing the benefits. While overall targets are going up, goals for disadvantaged businesses are being scaled back. Here to explain what’s changing, why it matters, and what it could mean for small contractors trying to compete is Attorney with Koprince McCall Pottroff, Stephanie Ellis.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A new IG report reveals the IRS sent incorrect taxpayer data to the Department of Education—raising serious questions about how federal agencies exchange sensitive information. As the Department of Government Efficiency pushes for broader data consolidation across government and as the IRS continues to shed staff and funding, this slip-up shows how one error can ripple across systems and put personal privacy at risk. Here to unpack the findings and what they mean for future data-sharing efforts is the Director, System Operations, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Jena Whitley. 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 federal data mix-up could mean your personal info isn’t as safe as you think New contracting goals shift the playing field for small and disadvantaged businesses IRS leadership is in flux and taxpayers may feel the falloutSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Employees at the Federal Emergency Management Agency are publicly pushing back against changes at FEMA under the Trump administration. More than 190 current and former FEMA staff signed the Katrina declaration, warning that staffing cuts and other changes are risking another crisis like Hurricane Katrina 20 years ago. For the latest on the letter and its impact 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.

The Office of Personnel Management is taking on some big changes this year, like trying to modernize the Federal Retirement System, improve health insurance programs for federal employees, and overhaul the hiring process. But as OPM undertakes those major efforts, the agency is on track to lose 1000 employees, a third of its total workforce by the end of the year. As part of our Workforce Reimagined event Federal News Network's Drew Friedman, got more from OPM Director Scott Kupor. Here's a segment of their conversation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.