The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

The US Patent and Trademark Office is ramping up its use of AI to improve patent examination and streamline workflows. They’re incorporating innovative tools to lessen the workload on examiners, including AI-assisted search functionalities and quality control tools. With a new Request for Information, agency leaders discuss ensuring data management and security as they accelerate AI integration. The potential for cost savings and improved efficiency is promising, marking a significant shift in how patents are processed.

As the US heads into an intense wildfire season, the White House is attempting to make some big changes to the government's response efforts. The Trump administration has outlined plans to consolidate wildfire management programs into a single agency. But a federal union says the consequences of moving too fast on these changes could be disastrous here. With more on the story, 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.

Several agencies have put their contractors on notice that all new contracts over a certain dollar threshhold, which in once case is only $100,000, will be subject to the review of the agency secretary. Here with her observations on what that means for contractors and agency performance is the President of 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.

Identifying places where government programs fall short is not hard, but finding practical solutions to those problems can be much more difficult. The IBM Center for the Business of Government is now seeking problem solvers. Here to talk about their new call for proposals is the Centers Executive Director, Dan Chenok.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Congress is in the midst of moving the reconciliation bill and taking up 2026 budget bills. But at least one Member of Congress is still paying attention to the Schedule Policy/Career proposal and hoping to mobilize his peers for action. Congressman Kweisi Mfume, representing Maryland's seventh district, 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.

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton Will Congress take up legislation to address the President's Schedule Policy/Career rule? A new opportunity to solve government effectiveness problems What happens when the agency secretary starts reviewing grants and contractsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As the various Senate committees release their proposals for the reconciliation bill, the Senate parliamentarian is ruling out many of the more controversial elements. Here with more insight into what this might portend for the megabill's fate and other Congressional activity is deputy news director at Bloomberg Government, Loren Duggan.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 The Department of Defense wants to take back its right to repair What to do if remote work was your reasonable accommodationLots of procedural intrigue impacting the reconciliation megabillSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Over the past two decades, the military services have transitioned away from their organic equipment maintenance capabilities to buying sustainment from the original equipment manufacturers. It seems that approach may be resulting in less readiness, not more. Secretary Hegseth has said he wants to bring repair capabilities back in-house, but is DoD ready for that? Here with more insight is the Director of the center for Defense Information at the Project on Government Oversight, Greg Williams. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Trump administration wants to change what it says are inflated numbers of high performing federal employees. A new memo encourages agencies not to give too many employees the highest ratings on their annual performance reviews. Agencies are also being told to discipline or remove anyone deemed a poor performer. Here with more details on the latest guidance 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.