Posts in category: Uncategorized

• The Postal Service is planning to make fewer seasonal hires for the holidays this year. USPS expects to make 7,500 temporary hires for its busy year-end peak season. USPS made about 10,000 seasonal hires last year. The agency said it doesn’t need to surge up staffing around the holidays because it’s converted many of its pre-career employees to career positions in recent years.
• In Alaska, Hawaii and U.S. territories, agencies are consistently struggling to hire and retain federal workers. A new report from the Government Accountability Office said that’s due to a combination of factors, like a high cost of living and limited options for childcare. On top of that, GAO found that some feds are running into difficulties getting relocation incentives from the government. GAO said agencies that are trying to recruit in those states should look at ways to implement more workforce flexibilities.
• More employees at the Department of Labor will soon see changes to their in-person work requirements. Labor employees outside the nation’s capital will have to report to the office at least five days per two-week pay period, beginning Dec. 1. The changes come after many other agencies have implemented new return-to-office requirements for their workforces. But the American Federation of Government Employees, the union representing those workers, is raising concerns about the negotiations process. They’re asking department leaders to bargain in good faith over return-to-office policies.
• A State Department modernization panel is coming into focus with White House appointees. President Joe Biden intends to appoint four members to the State Department’s Commission on Reform and Modernization. All his intended picks are former State Department officials with decades of experience. One of them briefly served as coordinator for the State Department’s investigation into cases of so-called Havana Syndrome. Lawmakers created the panel in fiscal 2023. The commission has 18 months to examine the challenges of modern-day diplomacy and issue a final report to Congress and the President.
• The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) is developing guidance for agencies to make sure they handle commercially available information containing personally identifiable information safely and securely. In a new request for information, OIRA is seeking comments from industry, agencies and other experts on how best to mitigate risks of artificial intelligence systems using this commercial data. OIRA outlined 14 questions, including about agency transparency and processes in handling this data, to consider as part of this RFI. Responses to the RFI are due by mid-November.
• The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) previews a new strategic plan. NARA plans to embrace a digital future under its forthcoming strategic plan. National Archivist Colleen Shogan laid out her priorities for the new strategy in a framework document released last week. Shogan said the Archives needs to develop the infrastructure required to support a growing body of electronic records. NARA also plans to adopt artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve data management and boost access to records. And Shogan also wants the Archives to focus on improving the user experience.
• A leading defense industry group is taking a close look at the Pentagon’s recently finalized Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) rule. Aerospace Industries Association President Eric Fanning said AIA is still reviewing the final rule. But he called for the Defense Department to balance security with the need to minimize barriers for industry. Fanning also called on DoD to improve the identification of sensitive data that would trigger CMMC requirements. While the Pentagon has finalized the CMMC program rule, it doesn’t plan on finalizing the corresponding contract requirements until next year.
• The Army set an ambitious goal of bringing 61,000 new recruits into its ranks in 2025. The service also wants to bring 10,000 recruits into its Delayed Entry Program in 2025. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said the “goal is ambitious, but it is achievable.” In fiscal 2024, the Army recruited 55,300 new soldiers, barely surpassing its target. It also exceeded its goal to bring 5,000 new soldiers into the delayed entry program. Currently, the service has about 11,000 people in the program, giving recruiters a head start for fiscal 2025.
• Since becoming operational in December 2023, the Army’s Office of Special Trial Counsel has reviewed 3,300 investigations, referring 67 cases to court-martial and prosecuting 32 cases, with 29 resulting in convictions. The office handles 13 serious offenses under its jurisdiction. Starting in January 2025, sexual harassment will be added as a covered offense, giving the OSTC the authority over those cases as well. The Defense Department also tasked the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel with preparing an annual report to Congress and prescribed approximately 45 performance measures to gather data and assess the office’s performance.

Copyright © 2024 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

This content was written by Serving Those Who Serve (STWS).

Serving career feds for nearly 40 years affords the opportunity for some meaningful insights.  Perhaps one that our community takes for granted the most is the value of the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. In a world where health care choice and options seem to be shrinking, feds enjoy a robust “cafeteria plan” abounding with choice and options.

Yet, the reality we see has been a “set it and forget it” approach for most feds. Happily, this has been a serviceable strategy for much of the federal workforce, until possibly this year.

Seismic is not an overreaching word to describe the changes in the overall health insurance landscape for federal employees.

To begin we have a historic realignment in the programs available to postal employees as the FEHB plan is supplanted by the Postal Service Health Benefits Program. Not only does the pool of available carrier options shrink from 68 to 32, but new requirements for Medicare Part B enrollment are incorporated.

Add to this that the estimated average premium increase is 11.1% and the need for education and informed decision making is greater than ever.

Non-postal feds are not escaping unscathed. Your average projected premium increase is 13.5%. Keep in mind that average means that your increase may be even higher. The time to discover that is not in January of next year.

To add to the complexity for non-postal feds and retirees of Medicare age, for 2024 there were 40 Medicare advantage options to consider within the FEHB chassis.

Feeling overwhelmed yet? You are not alone.

Fortunately, at Serving Those Who Serve in addition to having decades of experience helping feds navigate the ever-growing complexities of FEHB, we are truly fortunate to have strategic relationship with some of the finest minds and authors currently writing on these topics.

Central to our educational offerings has been Ed Zurndorfer. With over 1200 articles to his credit, Ed is a towering figure in the federal benefits educational space.  So, we reached out to him for his thoughts on what makes this Open Season different.

Not surprisingly Ed has a robust slate of articles in the works leading up to and through the 2025 open season beginning on Nov. 11, 2024.

Here are the key considerations and discussion topics Ed will address:

• With the major changes to Medicare Part D (prescription drug program) resulting from the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, does it make sense for some feds to enroll in Medicare Part D?
• What is Medicare Advantage and what plans are available within FEHP and PSHB?
• Are you taking advantage of a Health Savings Account?
• Are you considering -“total cost”- (including deductibles and co pays) when selecting your FEHB or PSHB plan?
• What tools are available for making comparisons between available FEHB and PSHB plans?
• Do you know what a formulary list is and why it is critically important to your prescription drug coverage decision?

If this brief list seems like a lot, have no fear. Ed will be available to explain and answer questions firsthand during multiple live webinars at www.stwserve.com.

To be as thorough as possible we at STWS are also fans of the Consumer Checkbooks Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees. This tool has proven invaluable through the years to effectively compare FEHB and soon PSHB plans. We reached out to the man behind this outstanding tool, Kevin Moss for his tips for the upcoming open season.

Kevin shared the following pointers:

Confirm the available plans:

Use tools like the OPM comparison tool or Checkbook to see what plans are available by zip code.

Review Section 2 of your FEHB plan brochure:

This will be published each year on the site for your plan. Per Kevin  “Section 2 will alert you to important benefit changes.”

Use yearly cost estimates to narrow down plans:

What you’ll pay is more than just the annual premium.  We at STWS feel the guide is a great tool for making these evaluations.

Check providers and prescription drugs:

These are important steps in deciding to enroll in an FEHB or PSHB plan.  You can find this information on the plan website.

Here’s a link to an STWS podcast with Kevin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLfLpI70J6c) and you can read more from him on the Consumers’ Checkbook website.

Readers of this article can enter STWS and get a 20% discount on the Consumers’ Checkbooks online tool.

We extend heartfelt thanks to Ed and Kevin for being part of our mission to Reach, Teach and Serve you, the career civilian fed.

Our closing thought is this: Perhaps more than any year past knowledge and preparation are power in making the best possible decisions for you and your family this Open Season.

We are grateful to Federal News Network for helping us get this vital messaging out to you. Be sure to bookmark them as well as STWSERVE.COM.

And not to overwhelm you but Medicare’s open enrollment for 2025 runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2024.  Lots to think about here too.

To help with your Open Season preparation, here are our upcoming webinars:

Understanding FEHB, Medicare and TRICARE for Federal Employees

Oct. 23 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Eastern

Nov. 20 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Eastern

Sign up for one or both, and feel free to share with your friends.   Knowledge is power and we are here to help empower YOU!

**Written by Dan Sipe. The information has been obtained from sources considered reliable but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Dan Sipe and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy suggested. Every investor’s situation is unique and you should consider your investment goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon before making any investment or financial decision. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation. While we are familiar with the tax provisions of the issues presented herein, as Financial Advisors of RJFS, we are not qualified to render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.

Copyright © 2024 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

Unmanned aerial systems, or UAS, have become essential assets across the defense landscape. In this Executive Spotlight interview, TCOM Vice President of Business Development Nigel Sutton shared how the company’s partnership with Aerostar and Equinox is changing the game for ISR missions and transforming how the government deploys UAS.

Sutton brings deep government and industry expertise to his role at TCOM. He was previously a BD VP for General Motors, a State Department’s Defense Trade Advisory Group member, a VP at AeroVironment, and more. Read below for Sutton’s full interview. 

GovCon Wire: Can you explain how TCOM and its newly integrated solutions from Aerostar and Equinox create a new value proposition for the U.S. Army and allied governments?

Nigel Sutton: TCOM’s integration with Aerostar’s HABs and Equinox’s tactical drones expands its existing portfolio of persistent ISR solutions, delivering a multi-layered, multi-domain approach to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. This combination allows TCOM to provide surveillance coverage from ground level to the stratosphere, ensuring comprehensive situational awareness across various environments.

By incorporating Aerostar’s HABs, which offer long-duration ISR at extreme altitudes, TCOM can deliver persistent coverage for up to 90 days, reaching altitudes above 65,000 feet. This strategically monitors large areas, even in hostile or denied environments. Meanwhile, Equinox’s drones add a tactical dimension, allowing for rapid deployment and precision ISR in dynamic scenarios. These drones complement the long-endurance aerostats and HABs by providing quick, real-time surveillance for localized missions.

This integration offers a new value proposition for the U.S. Army and allied governments by delivering enhanced persistence. Long-duration ISR platforms reduce the need for costly redeployments, ensuring continuous coverage. It also offers scalability and flexibility. The integrated solutions can adapt to various mission requirements, from tactical battlefield operations to strategic, wide-area surveillance.

The integration also supports resilience in contested environments. The combination of high-altitude and ground-level systems offers robust, survivable ISR capable of operating in high-threat areas where other systems might be compromised. And then there’s the cost efficiency it provides. TCOM’s solutions are affordable compared to manned aircraft and satellites, giving scalable local and global operations options. This creates a force multiplier for the U.S. Army and allied governments, offering unmatched ISR capabilities critical for modern, multi-domain operations.

GCW: How does TCOM’s approach to ISR differ from traditional aerial surveillance systems?

Sutton: Traditional systems, such as manned aircraft, have limitations in flight endurance and cost. By contrast, TCOM’s platforms, particularly aerostats and HABs, provide persistent ISR, staying operational longer without requiring redeployment. Flying assets must return to base, but aerostats can stay in the air for 30 days, while HABs can stay up for 90 days. This long-endurance capability significantly reduces costs while offering continuous surveillance over vast areas. TCOM’s systems also integrate with tactical drones from Equinox, enhancing real-time situational awareness and response​.

GCW: What makes TCOM’s ISR solutions cost-effective and scalable?

Sutton: TCOM’s systems are designed for scalability and affordability. Aerostats and HABs offer persistent ISR at a fraction of the operational cost of manned aircraft or satellites. Their modular design allows for scalability — from small, man-portable platforms to large systems covering vast geographic areas. Paired with Equinox’s drones, these platforms offer a cost-effective solution that can meet the needs of both localized tactical missions and large-scale strategic operations​.

GCW: Where does TCOM operate, and how has it proven its ‘Surface to the Stratosphere and Beyond’ concept in real-world deployments?

Sutton: TCOM, LP operates across multiple regions, delivering ISR solutions to military and homeland security clients worldwide. In the United States, TCOM’s aerostats have been integral to border surveillance operations, particularly along the southern U.S. border, where they’ve been used to detect and deter illegal activities like drug trafficking. These platforms have also supported military bases, offering persistent situational awareness in conflict zones​. 

Internationally, TCOM has a proven track record in the Middle East, where its aerostat systems have been deployed for long-endurance ISR in complex environments. Additionally, TCOM’s systems in Europe are part of air and missile defense architectures, particularly in countries like Poland, where aerostats contribute to air and missile defense operations. These platforms have also been critical in supporting the defense of key areas in the Indo-Pacific, including strategic locations like Guam, where they provide early warning and communications resilience​. 

TCOM’s global operations demonstrate the versatility and effectiveness of its ‘Surface to the Stratosphere and Beyond’ concept, ensuring persistent surveillance and operational support across diverse environments and threat landscapes globally, wherever C5ISR is needed.

GCW: How do Equinox’s drones complement TCOM’s ISR platforms?

Sutton: Equinox’s drones bring tactical agility to TCOM’s ISR architecture by offering quick-response capabilities for dynamic, on-the-ground missions. While aerostats and HABs provide long-duration, wide-area surveillance, Equinox’s drones can be rapidly deployed for real-time surveillance and precision ISR in urban and battlefield environments. This combination ensures that TCOM’s solutions cover all operational needs, from strategic surveillance to tactical, on-the-ground support​.

GCW: What are the advantages of using TCOM’s tethered UAS compared to other unmanned systems?

Sutton: Tethered UAS provides the persistence of aerostats with the flexibility of drones. These systems offer up to 30 endurance days and can carry multiple payloads, including communication relays, cameras, and electronic warfare tools. Unlike free-flying drones, tethered UAS can remain operational for extended periods, delivering continuous real-time data without frequent recharges. This makes them ideal for missions that demand long-duration surveillance and high mobility​.

Artificial intelligence is taking the federal government by storm. This rapidly advancing technology has shown immense potential for a wide range of Department of Homeland Security missions, one of which is securing the border.

Get an exclusive look into key DHS initiatives at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Homeland Security Summit, where government and industry experts will come together to consider today’s homeland security landscape and discuss the technologies influencing DHS’ future. Hear what these leaders have to say at the 2024 Homeland Security Summit.

Customs and Border Protection, the top federal agency responsible for border security, has made strides in its adoption of AI and is evaluating its future in a variety of use cases. Keep reading to discover three key areas in which CBP is looking to implement AI.

Identity Verification

CBP uses biometrics — physical characteristics unique to individuals such as fingerprints or irises — to identify and track individuals entering the United States at all points of entry, from airports to land border checkpoints. Since its adoption of biometric scanning tools, the agency has processed over 540 million travelers and prevented over 2,000 imposters from entering the country.

As it continues to pursue cutting-edge technologies, CBP is looking to integrate AI and machine learning into its biometric processing capabilities to accelerate the detection of inconsistencies and improve decision making, GovCIO reported.

Diane Sabatino, acting executive assistant commissioner of field operations at CPB, emphasized that frontline personnel “are always the final decision-makers in the process,” even as AI is implemented.

Drug Detection

In recent years, CBP has heightened its focus on fentanyl, which according to Troy Miller, senior official performing the futures of the commissioner for CBP, came onto the agency’s radar as early as 2013. At the time, he said, CBP did not have the resources it needed to identify and handle this drug.

Since then, the agency has brought in new technologies, including non-intrusive inspection tools, able to detect narcotics at border checkpoints. Now, AI and ML have “caught up to that technology,” Miller said. 

“So, we’re starting to implement artificial intelligence and machine learning across the southwest border, which is going to allow that machine to get that information to our officers and agents quickly so they can make that decision,” he noted.

IT Optimization

CBP is also looking at AI as a way to enhance its IT systems and leverage the vast amounts of data available today. In August, the agency released a new IT strategy covering fiscal years 2024-2028, part of which is focused on “CBP’s evolution into a more data-driven organization that rapidly accelerates the operational use of AI across the entire agency, achieving real mission outcomes guided by responsible AI principles.”

AI is most notably a part of developing “mission-aligned” applications, which the strategy describes as more reliable and scalable applications that can be used across a wide range of CBP use cases rather than for specific projects.

Learn more about DHS border security initiatives at the 2024 Homeland Security Summit, where you will hear top homeland security experts weigh in on today’s most important homeland security priorities. Secure your spot at the 2024 Homeland Security Summit to unlock the insights these leaders have to offer.

Federal contractor Core4ce has acquired Azimuth as part of a push to expand its national security capabilities in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, threat protection, artificial intelligence and machine learning and warfighter support.

Core4ce said Tuesday Azimuth President and CEO Valerie Rossi will join the company as senior vice president and business unit manager of advanced mission solutions.

Chales Rossi, most recently executive VP with oversight of strategic growth and customer relations, will take on the roleof VP and senior account executive at Core4ce.

Merging The Forge With AAIM Lab

The transaction will combine Core4ce’s innovation incubator, called The Forge, with Azimuth’s AAIM Lab, which stands for autonomy, AI and machine learning.

The combination of research and development efforts of AAIM Lab and The Forge will enable Core4ce to advance the development of new capabilities in autonomous systemms, predictive analytics and ML-driven sensors while accelerating the transition of new tech platforms from the research phase to operational deployment to support Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers.

Core4ce CEO Mike Morehouse said Azimuth’s R&D, operations support, AI/ML and engineering capabilities make it a great addition to the company.

“By partnering with Azimuth, we’ll be able to reach a broader range of customers, offer an integrated suite of complementary services, and ensure that the warfighters defending our country have the best possible tools and support,” Morehouse added.

With the acquisition, Core4ce will now operate with nearly 650 employees focused on delivering data and cyber operations support to national security agency customers.

About Azimuth

Ohio-based Azimuth is a woman-owned small business founded by Valerie Rossi in 2001. It provides R&D and technical support, security and threat analysis, programming and policy support, operational and administrative management and database and modeling support for national security clients.

The company’s customers include the U.S. Air Force, Air Force Research Laboratory, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.