The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

The Department of Veterans Affairs is eliminating a pay bump for thousands of its employees. The VA approved a special salary rate under the Biden administration, giving HR professionals a 15% pay increase. The department approved the pay increase to address persistent underfunding across its HR workforce, and it was about the same time that VA surged healthcare hiring to treat more veterans under the toxic exposure PACT Act. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has more on the current situation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The U.S. investments in nanotechnology science over the past two decades positioned us as a global leader in this foundational discipline. But a new report from the National Academies of Science warns that, without continued investment, we're at risk of ceding our leadership to other countries, to the detriment of our innovative industries. The Chair of that report, Dean of the LSU College of Engineering and the Bert S. Turner chair, Dr. Vicki Colvin is here to discuss the report and its implications.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A new notice of proposed rulemaking from the department of transportation indicates that the Trump administration is putting its philosophy of less regulation and more collaboration with industry into place. Comments are due by June 16. Here with insights on the proposed rules might affect the relationship between the regulators and industry is Partner at Cozen O'Connor, Michael Deutsch.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A 2019, executive order was a significant landmark in the nation's regulation and management of artificial intelligence technologies in the government, but it was just the first of many, among other things, that first executive order on AI focused on building research and development and the nation's AI workforce. And on those topics, it shared a lot in common with five subsequent orders on AI. That first order is one of 25 significant moments Federal News Network is marking this year as part of our 25th anniversary. Federal News Network's Jared Serbu has been writing about it this week, and he's here with more.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 Why the U.S. can ill afford disinvestment in its nanotechnology infrastructure Clarifying the rules around the Small Business Innovation Research program The Trump administration is taking a different tack in regulating the transportation industry See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gig Eagle, the Defense Department's AI fueled talent management platform is quietly transforming how the military taps into talent. Originally built to match reservists with short term gigs across the Defense Department, the platform now supports over 13,000 users, including active duty service members and civilians. The Defense Department is now laying the groundwork for a broader national security talent marketplace, and it will soon be able to tap into talent within academia, industry and other government agencies for more Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis spoke to Brigadier General Michael McGinley, who serves as the Director of the Gig Eagle agile talent ecosystem initiative.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Small Business Innovation Research program is one way to bring commercial products into government. It's relatively fast and simple, as long as you follow the rules. A new bid protest decision helps clarify those rules. Here to help us understand the decision is Procurement Attorney and Partner at Haynes Boone, Zach Prince.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Two new initiatives are driving the General Services Administration closer to its goals, to centralize the buying of common goods and services simplify acquisition processes and save money. First, GSA is digging into the value added reseller model that has become popular over the last 20 plus years. And second, they're taking initial steps to set up a centralized acquisition office for more on why these two efforts are another signal of the significant changes on the horizon for federal contractors. Federal News Network 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 looking to do more with less under the Trump administration's budget proposal next year, they would still face major spending cuts and staffing reductions, and they would have much more work to do if Congress passes the one big, beautiful bill that passed the House last month. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman is here with more details. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Pentagon is trying many different approaches to speed up and simplify its acquisition programs, hoping to save billions in the process. Here with her observations on some of the most visible initiatives is the Managing Partner of Centre Law and Consulting, Barbara Kinosky.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.