The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

It's been weeks since the Office of Personnel Management announced that it would not be conducting the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey this year in place of the 2025 FEVS. OPM says agencies can still choose to conduct their own surveys, but many have already said they don't plan to here to discuss the impacts of the absence of FEVS and what the future might hold for employee surveys is Federal News Network's Drew FriedmanSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Air Force spent the last 15 years trying to fix how it works with small businesses. Now that progress may be at risk. A new memo from Secretary Troy Meink cuts the service's small business office down to just one person. Here to explain what that decision could mean and why it's raising alarms across the small business community is Federal News Network's Executive Editor, Jason Miller.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As agencies navigate hybrid work, evolving threats, and return-to-office mandates, physical security is no longer just about locks and badges. It’s about real-time data and rethinking who gets in and why. Here to share how access control is becoming mission-critical, and what agencies need to do now to stay secure is the Director of Compliance and Security at Sign In Solutions, Jason Mordeno.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 Proposed Pentagon budget cuts could weaken battlefield testing and put troops at risk The front door is the new frontline of physical security Airport operations rely on workers you rarely see, and Congress wants to know how they're doingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Did you know that the service workers who load baggage, clean cabins, assist passengers with disabilities, and help avert safety risks on the tarmac generate 30% of airport revenue? They’re not pilots or TSA agents—but they’re essential to every airport’s rhythm. A new GAO report profiles how well this group is doing economically. Here to break down the findings is Acting Director in GAO’s Physical Infrastructure team, Danielle Giese.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Pentagon wants to scale back its Test and Evaluation office—just as threats grow more complex. The office plays a key role in vetting systems for survivability and mission effectiveness. Experts warn that cutting this unit could reduce battlefield readiness and leave troops exposed to unproven tech. Here to explain what’s at stake and why Congress is paying attention 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.

MANTECH focuses on innovative thinking and the latest cyber, AI and digital engineering technologies for efficient ways to solve government requirements. 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 trying to nix the idea that everybody gets an A in the Senior Executive Service agencies will soon have to limit how many executives can earn top marks on their performance evaluations. A new Final Rule has paved the way for using a forced distribution system to review SES members. Here with more details 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.

The Government Accountability Office has found that a decades old pay adjustment cap on the federal wage system pay rates is still the most consequential challenge to the Defense Department's efforts to recruit and retain blue collar workers. Even if all the other challenges get addressed, little will change for the recruitment and retention of those workers, as long as the pay adjustment cap remains in effect. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis 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 federal government is rolling out sweeping changes to acquisition policy, including final CMMC rules, a new centralized GSA office, and a restructured FAR Part 8. To help contractors stay focused and flexible amid the turbulence, we turn to 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.