The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

Forty former state attorneys general signed a letter urging Congress to fund judicial security after threats tracked by the US Marshal Service surged in recent years. Federal News Network's Jared Serbu spoke with Former Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel to learn how federal judges took the unprecedented step of asking for help and what's driving intimidation from federal courtrooms to state judiciaries nationwide.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Contracted medical exams are the foundation for determining disability benefits, but GAO says oversight gaps put exam quality and veterans’ benefits at risk. We’ll discuss what needs fixing and why it matters with GAO Director Elizabeth Curda.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Future Tech Enterprise fed 29 years of procurement responses into an AI model and cut an RFQ team from seven people to one. Federal News Network's Eric White spoke with CEO Bob Venero to understand why he believes the Defense Department should use the same technology to evaluate bids faster and cheaper. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brandon Chappo, director of public policy at the Change the Air Foundation, and Erica Thompson, a military spouse and families' liaison, discuss alarming health issues in privatized military housing. They reveal that 75% of surveyed service members face mold and water damage, with severe health consequences like anxiety and cognitive impairments. Erica shares her family's struggles with contamination and remediation failures, while Brandon highlights the urgent need for better indoor air quality to maintain mission readiness.

The Navy is tackling spare parts scarcity by reusing materials from decommissioned units. New initiatives aim to streamline the tracking and reutilization of assets, which could save millions. Experts discuss how they fill backorders with offloaded items and recover hard-to-find parts no longer made by industry. Leadership support and local initiatives have been key to the success of this program on the West Coast. The conversation highlights innovative strategies for improving military supply chain efficiency.

Stacey Geis, a Senior Counsel and former EPA official, discusses the alarming noncompliance rates among polluting facilities and the challenges of federal enforcement. Doug Criscitello, founder of the Center for USA Lending, highlights the need for modernization in federal lending, emphasizing opportunities for technology to enhance program integrity. Meanwhile, Stephanie Costrow, President of the Professional Services Council, reveals the difficulties companies face due to the disappearance of agency forecasts, stressing the impact on federal contracting and planning.

Stacy Geis, former Deputy Assistant Administrator at the EPA and now senior counsel at Crowell & Moring, dives into the alarming drop in EPA enforcement cases as non-compliance rates soar. She discusses the critical need for staffing in environmental enforcement and the repercussions of the recent federal shutdown on inspections. Geis highlights the challenges states face in filling the enforcement gap, while also recalling high-profile cases like VW that showcase the importance of effective deterrence. It’s a crucial breakdown of the current environmental enforcement landscape.

Doug Criscitello, founder and executive director of the Center for USA Lending, discusses his mission to modernize the federal lending landscape, which manages a staggering $5 trillion across 125 programs. He highlights outdated systems that create borrower confusion and fragmentation. Criscitello emphasizes the potential of AI and data standardization to streamline processes and enhance integrity. He points to successful SBA initiatives as models for reform, aiming for better fraud detection and taxpayer value through his organization's innovative strategies.

Stephanie Kostro, President of the Professional Services Council, discusses the critical role accurate federal forecasts play for companies in bidding and staffing. She reveals the troubling trend of agencies allowing these forecasts to lapse, linked to efficiency initiatives and staffing cuts. Kostro explains the impact on small business offices and previews the PSC’s Vision Federal Market Forecast, emphasizing its importance for contractors and government officials seeking valuable market insights.

Phil McNamara, former Assistant Secretary for Administration at the Department of Transportation, joins the discussion on reforming presidential transitions. He highlights the importance of standardized processes to reduce risks associated with ad hoc practices. The conversation delves into the unusual features of the 2024 transition, including candidate switches and slower preparations. McNamara emphasizes the need for updates to the Presidential Transition Act and better transparency in vetting to ensure smoother transitions in the future.