Federal procurement is undergoing a transformation, with a focus on effective software licensing to overcome past challenges. A notable government-wide deal with Microsoft is on the horizon, promising significant improvements. Spending on IT contracts is rising sharply, now exceeding $42 billion, reflecting a shift toward service-based acquisitions. Additionally, the Transactional Data Reporting initiative aims to boost data quality and participation among small businesses, while insights on leadership highlight the value of authenticity and team welfare.

Members of Congress get, on average, three requests per day to help them with federal bureaucratic issues. A thousand requests a year. That means nearly half a million queries hitting federal agencies every year. My next guest got an assignment from the Administrative Conference of the United States. It wanted to explore ways to improve how agencies respond to congressional casework queries. With what he found, Boston University associate professor Sean Kealy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever wanted to take a career break? Its an attractive idea, but at some point you might want to come back into the government. A bill sponsored by Virginia Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton would establish what it calls a first-ever returnship program. Congresswoman Wexton joins me now with details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin A bill to help former feds return to the government A better approach to dealing with requests from congressional casework Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Defense Department is sunsetting its year old Task Force Lima. Its task was to examine large language models and establish the AI rapid capability cell known as the arc. Well now the ARC will lead the department's efforts to deliver next generation AI capabilities. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis brings us the latest tell us more about ARC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Social Security Fairness Act is inching even closer to passage. At a rally in front of the Capitol building this week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer committed to bringing the bill to a floor vote, and that's after the legislation to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, WEP and GPO cleared the House last month. Federal News Network's Drew Friedman was at this week's rally. She joins me now with the latest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thousands of federal employees will retire come the end of the month. Good retirement planning covers your finances, your healthcare but what about your *life* and what you'll do day-to-day. The dream can turn to boredom real fast. Here with some advice to get your backside in gear, happy and fulfilled federal retiree Abe Grungold of AG Financial Services. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Plans of the Department of Government Efficiency are nothing if not audacious. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have vowed to pare down the government by 50% or something. My next guest says the DOGE could succeed with manageable ambitions. Senior fellow at the conservative Manhattan Institute, Brian Riedl, joins me now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The news seems pretty grim these days. But federal employees have their annual opportunity to improve the lives of people they've never met. The Combined Federal Campaign is underway. Joining me with the outlook, the chair for the National Capital Region, Vince Micone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin Giving Tuesday was a gateway to this year's Combined Federal Campaign A slightly more sanguine view of the Department of Government Efficiency Retirement can seem great until day two. Then what? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices