Veteran host Francis Rose gives Federal government decision-makers news and information about management, workforce, IT, and acquisition, to help those leaders ...
Retirement Roadmap: What Every Fed Needs to Know About TSP & Beyond
As federal employees approach the pivotal decision of retirement, understanding the ins and outs of the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is crucial. Jim Kaplan, Director of External Affairs at the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, sits down with Francis to break down the latest updates to the TSP fact sheet for departing federal employees. He clarifies common misconceptions—like the fact that you don’t have to close your TSP when you leave federal service—and explains the options for maintaining, rolling over, or withdrawing funds.Kaplan also sheds light on the top concerns from TSP participants, including required minimum distributions, tax forms, and installment payments for retirees. He discusses the infrastructure behind distributing over 1.3 million 1099-R forms and how the TSP’s recordkeeping contract ensures a high level of customer service—boasting a 94% satisfaction rate and an impressive average wait time of just 20 seconds.Plus, get a sneak peek into the future of TSP services, including upcoming in-plan Roth conversions, new financial planning calculators, and ongoing innovations to enhance participant experiences.Don’t miss the next episode, where we’ll dive into the future of the federal cyber workforce with Ken Bible, former Chief Information Security Officer at DHS. Subscribe and listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.
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AI RISK ALERT: The Cybersecurity Gaps in Federal AI Systems – And What’s Next!
We explore the growing challenge of AI risk assessment across federal agencies. Artificial intelligence is already playing a crucial role in protecting critical infrastructure, but ensuring these AI applications are secure from cyber threats remains a major concern. Tina Won Sherman, Director of Homeland Security and Justice Issues at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), joins the show to break down the latest findings on AI risk management and why no agency has fully met the necessary risk assessment standards.Tina explains how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in coordination with other federal agencies, is responsible for assessing AI risks in 16 critical infrastructure sectors, ranging from transportation and healthcare to energy and communications. While agencies submitted the required risk assessments, GAO found that none fully addressed all six foundational activities necessary for a thorough evaluation. The most significant gap? Not a single agency effectively evaluated the level of AI risk impact—a critical step in understanding vulnerabilities and implementing mitigation strategies. As the federal government continues to refine its approach to AI risk management, GAO makes a careful recommendation to DHS. With AI use cases expanding across agencies and private-sector partners, ensuring comprehensive risk assessments is more important than ever. You can find a link to the full GAO report on today’s show page at FedGovToday.com.Don't forget to catch Fed Gov Today TV this Sunday at 10:30 AM on ABC 7 Washington and on the Fed Gov Today YouTube channel, where top federal technology leaders discuss critical issues, including contract challenges, decision-making with data, and the enterprise approach to solving government tech problems. On the next episode of the podcast, we’ll tackle frequently asked questions about federal retirement as employees face major career decisions.Subscribe and listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.
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Government on the Move: Postal Shakeups, Pentagon Priorities & Procurement Overhaul
Want to learn more about this conversation? Check out today's show page. Fed Gov Today TV Show airs on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. E.T. on ABC 7. You can also watch on Demand on Youtube. Listen to Fed Gov Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.
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Immense Federal Layoffs: Inside the IRS Cuts & What’s Next for the Federal Workforce
We dive into the burning question on every federal HR leader’s mind: What’s next for the federal workforce? The Internal Revenue Service just cut 6,700 jobs—less than half of the original 15,000 slated for layoffs—after an intense internal review. Former ODNI Chief Human Capital Officer, Dr. Ron Sanders, joins the show to break down how the IRS leadership tackled these painful cuts and what other agencies can learn from the process.Sanders, now President and CEO of Public Virtu, explains the delicate dance between career staff and political appointees in navigating these unprecedented workforce changes. He argues that agency leaders must assert control over their own workforce decisions, rather than bowing to external pressures. We also discuss the broader implications of workforce reductions across government and what role Congress will play in shaping future headcount targets.Plus, with AI-driven workforce management and high-profile agency shake-ups—like OPM shutting down its procurement shop—Sanders warns that these are just the “baby steps” in a long-term transformation of the federal workforce. Where does trust between political and career leadership stand in this shifting landscape? And how should federal employees respond to direct calls from top leadership?Stay tuned for Fed Gov Today TV this Sunday at 10:30 AM on ABC 7 in Washington, where we’ll explore how moving the Postal Service to the Commerce Department could play out. And don’t miss next Tuesday’s podcast, where we tackle protecting AI applications from cyber threats with the Government Accountability Office’s Tina Won Sherman.Listen to Fed Gov Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.
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Breaking Down DHS Acquisition Roadblocks: Workload, Hiring, and Workforce Data Gaps
In a conversation with the Government Accountability Office’s Travis Masters, Director of Contracting and National Security Acquisitions, we’re tackling the biggest acquisition challenges at the Department of Homeland Security and how agencies can fix them. He breaks down a recent GAO report that highlights critical roadblocks in DHS acquisition, including overwhelming workloads, lengthy hiring timeframes, and a lack of comprehensive workforce data.Travis explains how GAO selected four DHS components—Coast Guard, CBP, ICE, and TSA—for analysis, representing two-thirds of the department’s contract obligations in 2023. He shares insights from interviews with 55 acquisition professionals, revealing that heavy workload issues—caused by staffing shortages, role overlap, and inefficient processes—are a top concern. Additionally, hiring delays of up to 18 months, often due to security clearance bottlenecks, are making it harder to bring in needed talent.Travis outlines GAO’s four recommendations to DHS, emphasizing the need for clear strategies to link mitigation efforts to real challenges. He also shares actionable advice for other agencies looking to get ahead of similar acquisition hurdles.Don’t miss Fed Gov Today TV this Sunday at 10:30 AM on ABC 7 in Washington, featuring the Navy’s Acting Chief Technology Officer, Justin Fanelli, on the service’s digital modernization journey. You can also watch it live on YouTube or catch up anytime on FedGovToday.com.
Veteran host Francis Rose gives Federal government decision-makers news and information about management, workforce, IT, and acquisition, to help those leaders do their jobs better.
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