The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

After more than two decades in federal service, including a transformative tenure at NASA, one of the government’s most influential procurement leaders is stepping down. From modernizing acquisition systems to mentoring the next generation of contracting professionals, her impact reaches far beyond space missions. In this two-part conversation, we look back on a career defined by innovation, integrity, and inclusion—with insights on what’s next for federal buying from NASA’s Assistant Administrator for Procurement, Karla Smith Jackson.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Two more agencies have officially terminated their collective bargaining agreements, the US Citizenship and Immigration Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency both canceled their union contracts late last week, and they're not the only agencies making that move here with the latest is 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.

Some of the biggest issues facing the federal workforce right now are the major cutbacks via reductions in force and the decertification of employee unions. But remember earlier this year when the Trump administration tried to downsize the federal workforce by firing probationary employees. That's still a live issue too, and we may be closing in on decisions as to whether it was well, legal, two courts are set to hear the issue in the coming weeks. Federal News networks. Jared Serbu is here with a recap of what that case is all about and a preview of the arguments the court will hear. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Members of the Professional Services Council are gaining firsthand insights into the evolving needs of federal agencies—from border operations and international defense collaboration to acquisition reform and innovation. These experiences are helping contractors better understand mission priorities and shape smarter solutions for national security and public service. Here to explain how these efforts are informing the future of federal contracting is PSC's Executive Director, Jim Carroll.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Technology is reshaping how government connects with the public. In this arena, civic tech has emerged as a powerful, but complex, force for change. There are questions about the evolving role of digital platforms in public service, the challenges of scaling impact, and what it really means to build tools that serve both mission and community. Here to help us sort those out is the founder and CEO of Golden, Sam Fankuchen.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A search-and-rescue platform developed by the Department of Homeland Security played a key role in coordinating emergency response efforts during July’s flooding across Texas, North Carolina, New Mexico, and Vermont—helping responders make faster, more informed decisions in rapidly changing conditions. Here to tell us more about the tool and how it helps first responders is the Community and Infrastructure Resilience Program Manager at the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, Ron Langhelm.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 DHS search-and-rescue platform aided flood response across four states in July Building civic tech that actually works for the people who need it most connecting policy, innovation and national security From Capitol Hill to Cape Canaveral with the Professional Services CouncilSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The next chapter of the Pentagon's cloud strategy is starting to take shape, while the final solicitation for the Joint War Fighting Cloud Computing Contract is still months away, the Defense Department is already applying lessons learned from the current vehicle as it finalizes its acquisition strategy to get more on how JWCC Next is coming together, Federal News Network's Executive Editor Jason Miller, spoke with the Chief of Product Management and Development at the Defense Information Systems Agency, John Hale.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 Congressional representatives in the DC Metro region make their case against proposed USDA moves the national security risks behind a wave of cuts at the State Department—and what it will take to rebuild America’s diplomatic muscle Redistricting isn't just about drawing lines—it could redraw the rules of governingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As you can imagine, Democratic members of Congress representing the DC metropolitan area are none too pleased with plans to relocate some USDA agencies out of the area. The idea stems from the first Trump administration, when Suhas Subramanyam was still serving in the Virginia Senate. He's now a member of Congress and spoke with Federal News Network's Eric White about his thoughts on the proposed moves.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.