FCW is covering the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the federal workforce. This page will be updated frequently with new coverage. NOTE: CDC and OPM maintain up-to-date information for the latest on the outbreak and guidance on individual and agency response.
The Defense Department is planning to shift from pandemic footing to more normal operations, and is using White House issued criteria on declines in reported symptoms, declines in new cases and hospital access to determine when restrictions will be lifted. (May 26)
The Office of Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services says it is pressing on with investigations into agency response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (May 26)
The Maryland National Guard is doing its part to help hospitals and local government detect and deflect malicious online activity during the pandemic. (May 22)
Counties and municipalities put faith in SMART, HEROES legislation to offset economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. (May 21)
The backlog of initial claims for benefits is rising in recent weeks, after holding steady amid the 100% telework posture of the Veterans Benefits Administration. (May 20)
Network infrastructure is a key to unlocking remote work in the new COVID environment, say agency CIOs. (May 19)
New research from Proofpoint has identified numerous phishing email campaigns over the past two months, some of which impersonated and spoofed websites from federal agencies, international governments and public health organizations involved in COVID-19 relief. (May 18)
The Senate has no plans to take up the bill and White House said it would veto what it called an "partisan and ideological wishlist". (May 15)
The rules change, which must be adopted in person by the full House, would also open the door to remote voting once secure technologies are identified. (May 14)
The Defense Department’s chief for industrial policy, Jennifer Santos, who has been leading the organization’s production strategy for supplies needed to fight COVID-19, has been removed from her post. (May 14)
The unexpected stress-testing that has come with COVID-19 responses can bring clarity to IT modernization thinking and practices. (May 14)
Software-defined networking is a major part of telecommunications resiliency during pandemic, said carriers on a presidential telecommunications advisory committee. (May 13)
The Navy's network operations, like most federal agencies, scrambled to shift to completely remote workforce, but the experience has also shifted workers' network expectations. (May 12)
Agencies are working to simultaneously modernize and share data to ensure continuity of business. (May 12)
Letting new parents take time off would alleviate coronavirus-related concerns, members stated in a May 8 letter to leadership. (May 11)
Social distancing requirements have delayed the public hearing needed for a rule change to enforce new cybersecurity standards for contractors. (May 11)
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is urging House leaders to include funding for states to modernize their technology infrastructure with an eye to a cloud-first approach, shared services that deliver functionality to cities and towns and some oversight of state technology plans as a condition of receiving funding. (May 11)
A bill from Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.) would make sure that feds won't forfeit unused annual leave. (May 8)
Keeping telework capabilities could make it easier for DOD to hire AI scientists. (May 7)
At least 10 distinct phishing campaigns were identified between January and April, targeting governments and organizations desperate to buy Personal Protective Equipment. (May 7)
More money is needed to tackle the problem, especially as states deal with an unprecedented economic crisis caused by the pandemic. It's unclear whether Congress will foot the bill. (May 5)
The Pentagon is eyeing a phased reopen and possibly more coronavirus stimulus funds to help offset costs to restock medical supplies and equipment used to fight the pandemic, the defense secretary said. (May 4)
The memo notes that CISA will begin issuing reports to agencies highlighting DNS traffic anomalies and could issue a follow up directive as new protections come online. (May 1)
Survivor benefits and health insurance premiums are expected to be covered in future legislation. (April 30)
The federal government's response to COVID-19 is setting the pace for its agencies' IT futures, said some top managers. (April 30)
Agency inspectors general told Congress that the $2.2 trillion in spending to speed recovery and heal economic damage caused by the pandemic would be subject to quick oversight. (April 29)
The executive order declaring meat processing plants as critical infrastructure means that federal food inspectors must visit plants that had been closed by their owners for safety reasons. (April 29)
Democratic lawmakers are seeking aid to help state and local governments retain workers and avoid layoffs in the next relief bill aimed at alleviating the economic toll that the coronavirus pandemic has had upon the U.S. economy. (April 28)
Steve Kelman offers another story about hero civil servants. (April 28)
The tax agency is putting distancing measures into place and requiring employees to wear face coverings on the job. (April 27)
The Trump administration's response to keep the federal government operational during the COVID-19 pandemic was hindered by early decisions to roll back telework programs, according to Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), the chairman of the Government Operations subcommittee of the House Oversight Committee. (April 24)
Despite a glitch that made headlines, the Small Business Administration had planned in advance to build tech tools to support legislative mandates for emergency business loans. (April 24)
The federal government's largest union is demanding some concessions in exchange for agreeing to President Donald Trump's new plans to gradually send federal employees back to their places of work. (April 23)
Gen. John Hyten, vice chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said testing the entire force, including National Guard and Reserves, would take until summertime. (April 23)
Furtive exchanges, police interdiction, international charter flights: our acquisition reporter takes a look at the market for personal protective equipment. (April 22)
The Department of Justice said some of the domains represented themselves as U.S. government agencies or public health organizations. (April 22)
Senators push for USDS, 18F to ramp help to states struggling with legacy tech. (April 22)
Downplaying security concerns, Rep. Steny Hoyer said conducting House business through video teleconference software was his "clear preference" to ensure continuity of Congress during the COVID-19 crisis. (April 21)
Steve Kelman reports on early efforts to leverage technology for better contact tracing. (April 21)
In a new document, the federal government explains plans to align a reopening of all federal agency functions and a return to in-person work with national guidelines promulgated by the White House and health officials on bringing back a state of normalcy when a decline in the COVID-19 pandemic occurs. (April 20)
For decades, PIV and CAC cards have been the primary tools for agencies and contractors to verify the identity of employees and contractors. The COVID-19 outbreak could change that. (April 20)
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented CIOs at all levels of government with unprecedented challenges to respond to the critical needs of the country. (April 20)
As more patients and staffers contract coronavirus infections, employees are seeking more personal protective equipment, collaboration with management and hazard pay. (April 18)
The White House instructs federal agencies to leverage relief for contractors in the CARES Act where appropriate. (April 17)
The first audits for the Defense Department's unified cybersecurity standard for vendors may be delayed up to a month. (April 16)
Navy Acquisition Chief James Geurts said acquisition activities have sped up in response to the coronavirus crisis and helped the service pinpoint weak spots in the supply chain. (April 16)
The forced social experiment brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic is compelling the federal government to adapt culturally and technologically at a rapid pace. (April 16)
Five leading technology trade groups called on lawmakers to support "meaningful" federal, state and local IT modernization in COVID stimulus legislation. (April 16)
The request for new funding comes as state and local governments face an spike in ransomware attacks. (April 15)
Government oversight experts and advocacy groups say Senate leaders should withhold cooperation until vacancies are filled. (April 15)
Government employees who are considered essential frontline workers could receive extra pay during the coronavirus pandemic, according to new guidance from the Office of Personnel Management. (April 15)
Steve Kelman spotlights another example of how non-traditional acquisition models can encourage innovation. (April 15)
A new emphasis on telework at the Defense Department in response to the COVID-19 pandemic could change work culture at the Pentagon, officials said. (April 14)
Childcare cost subsidies, weather and safety leave, telework allowances are among priorities for Democrats in planned CARES-2 legislative package. (April 14)
The General Services Administration made an exception to Federal Acquisition Regulations to accelerate payments to its small business prime contractors and subcontractors. (April 14)
Feds with dependent care responsibilities that stretch them to the breaking point have a stopgap once leave options are exhausted, but many agencies are reluctant to put it in play. (April 13)
DOD to issue $133 million in production contracts for N95 masks under the Defense Production Act. (April 13)
As IRS and the Small Business Administration tap digital-only financial firms to assist in relief funding, concerns are emerging about cybersecurity vulnerabilities and fraud. (April 13)
Ellen Lord, DOD's acquisition head, issued new guidance for prototype contracts issued through other transaction authorities. (April 10)
The top tech official at Immigration and Customs Enforcement is instructing employees to avoid installing Zoom for video conferencing and use instead Skype, MS Teams and WebEx. (April 10)
New policy allows agencies to ask for waiver of 25% incentive and retention caps in COVID-19 response. (April 9)
While the Speaker of the House said there are constitutional and security concerns with letting members vote virtually, she has moved to loosen other rules around in-person legislating. (April 9)
The Federal Aviation Administration put out an email blast to employees at field offices and airport facilities on April 8 looking for medical supplies to share out to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services. (April 9)
The coronavirus pandemic illustrates how far the federal government and states has to go to support an agile, 21st century public sector workforce. (April 9)
New guidance allows teleworking feds to connect and access agency and cloud resources from their homes while staying in compliance with the Trusted Internet Connection program. (April 8)
The Department of Veterans Affairs is delaying the rollout of its $16 billion health record modernization project so that the health system serving 9 million veterans can focus on the COVID-19 pandemic. (April 8)
The guidance will expire at the end of the year and will address capabilities such as email, networking, DNS, intrusion detection and data protection. (April 7)
The American Federation of Government Employees filed complaints with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration about alleged violations of safety standards. (April 7)
Army training and recruiting leaders said the service has been gradually digitizing recruiting and training, but has now shifted online amid the COVID-19 outbreak. (April 7)
Feds are included in the proposed premium pay increase that would float $13 dollars per hour into the paychecks of frontline workers. (April 7)
What will working in DOD look like on the other side of the COVID-19 curve? (April 7)
In a recent interview, AFGE National President Everett Kelley said that some agencies have directed managers to exclude unions from key decisions involving employee safety. (April 6)
As remote collaboration become the default, federal agencies are advising employees and users that video teleconferencing software, phone meetings and other tools are at increased risk. (April 6)
The new restrictions come as federal agencies and industry grapple with how best to collaborate on projects under quarantines and social distancing guidelines designed to limit in-person gatherings. (April 3)
National labs look to 3D printing to ease COVID medical supply chain squeeze, but reports show need remains stark. (April 2)
Virginia Democrat Sen. Mark Warner and Texas Republican Rep. Mac Thornberry hope to protect national security by bolstering the industrial base. (April 2)
The IRS, which is operating under an evacuation order that mandates telework for all eligible employees, released new guidance outlining its flexible work schedule policy. (April 2)
With COVID-19 support response prioritized, the General Services Administration puts a hold on its e-commerce portal proof of concept contract. (April 1)
The Defense Department issued memos and permission letters for personnel working in the Washington, D.C. region as local and state governments' stay-at-home orders go into effect. (April 1).
Govini, a data and analytics fir3m, projected where the pandemic could impact Defense Department operations as cases increase and hospital beds become scarce. (April 1)
The rollout of a commercial electronic health record system to Defense Department hospitals on pause to support response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (March 31)
Agency stresses flexible work schedules, reserved on evacuation pay and administrative leave. (March 31)
New teleworkers can unintentionally open up videoconferences to unwanted intruders, warns the FBI. (March 31)
Companies that haven't considered federal markets are coming around to it, thanks to increased telework mandates, according to experts. (March 31)
The national union alleges that "thousands of feds" likely exposed to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 while on the job. (March 30)
Defense contractors would get some relief for personnel costs under the Senate-passed $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus and relief bill but worries over increased production costs remain. (March 27)
The order would mandate telework for all eligible employees regardless of their prior arrangements. (March 27)
The planned Surge Response Program is designed to consolidate pandemic response opportunities for current federal employees. (March 27)
The $2 trillion pandemic rescue bill does not include a rollback of three years of Trump administration federal workforce policy included in a bill formulated by House Democrats. (March 26)
With fingerprinting services not always available, agencies are going to have to take some calculated risks with new employees. (March 26)
The money will be administered by the Election Assistance Commission, but some experts and lawmakers say it's not nearly enough. (March 26)
The Defense Department is concerned that foreign investment will take advantage of small businesses experiencing severe financial consequences from the COVID-19 pandemic. (March 25)
OMB's expanded easy-acquisition procedures will be useful tool as pandemic response continues, said a trade group executive. (March 25)
The Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act offered by House Democrats expands telework, grants hazard pay to certain front line workers and would overturn a number of Trump administration workforce policies. (March 24)
The Pentagon is asking for "maximum telework flexibilities" extended to DOD service members and civilian employees also be made available to contractors when possible. (March 24)
Customers including DOD and FEMA are pressing NASA's acquisition vehicle for faster quotes to support COVID-19 response. (March 24)
Swearing-in for feds along with certain document submission can be done remotely, advises the Office of Personnel Management. (March 24)
Steve Kelman argues that Americans need to understand the essential contributions civil servants make to our society's mix. (March 23)
The legislative branch may soon follow much of the corporate world and institute telework for its core functions, but there are serious questions about whether it has the legal and technological infrastructure in place to make it practicable for very long. (March 23)
Attorney General William Barr asked states to ensure that mission-critical personnel can perform official duties despite local lockdowns. (March 23)
The Department of Labor's compliance program office temporarily waived some contractor affirmative action requirements to speed up COVID-19 response. (March 23)
Agencies are being asked by the White House to look into the existing toolbox for ways to manage collaboration and access internally and service delivery to citizens as government withdraws from public view during the coronavirus pandemic. (March 22)
New, temporary appointment authority for Schedule A hires is in effect until March 2021 or public emergency is declared over. (March 22)
The Defense Department is extremely efficient at planning and logistics, but the uncertainty surrounding how long and how widespread COVID-19 will be raises concerns on how parts, people, and acquisition will be affected. (March 20)
As its employees move to telework, the Energy Department relaxes contractor parking rules at its D.C. headquarters. (March 20)
A few agencies have advised their contractors on how to proceed in the current uncertain environment, but lawmakers and trade groups want clear guidance and legislation amid the worsening pandemic. (March 19)
Only mission-critical employees are required to report to agency facilities, the administrator -- who is himself quarantined after COVID-19 exposure -- told staff March 19. (March 19)
Deputy Director for Management Margaret Weichert said OMB has been leading federal agencies in how to respond to employee questions operating status, telework and taking weather and safety leave. (March 19)
The Trump administration wants hundreds of millions of dollars in extra funding to clean and secure federal buildings from exposure to coronavirus. (March 19)
A March 18 executive order positions President Trump to invoke enhanced contracting powers granted under the Defense Production Act. (March 18)
The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau is requiring employees to telework while frontline agencies are sharing assessments for lowering risk of exposure for employees who cannot telework. (March 18)
Teleworking should be seen as an essential protection for mission-critical work, lawmakers say. (March 18)
The Defense Department wants prototype solutions to combat the novel coronavirus disease and other emerging bio-threats, according to a March 15 request to industry. (March 18)
Former DHS officials and unions worry whether existing security measures will help protect federal employees from the growing coronavirus pandemic. (March 17)
As virtual meetings and other online interactions become a reality for many federal agencies and businesses, so too do cybersecurity threats. (March 17)
The sudden expansion of federal telework in response to the coronavirus pandemic is teaching agencies how to move ahead with remote workers. (March 17)
Federal agencies are being asked to realign non-mission critical activities and minimize face-to-face interactions with the general public to reduce coronavirus transmission. (March 17)
Special acquisition powers in a 1950 law could help the government obtain needed medical equipment in the coronavirus response. (March 16)
As coronavirus measures tighten, many agencies are looking to offer workplace flexibilities for all employees regardless of previous eligibility. (March 16)
The Defense Department's networks have been stressed since expanding telework to minimize coronavirus at defense agencies. (March 16)
It's unclear whether emergency measures to stem coronavirus' spread will affect DOD's roll out of its unified cybersecurity standard, but mitigation efforts will likely rely on teleconferencing for training. (March 16)
A Sunday evening memo ahead of a potentially chaotic commute urges agency heads to pivot to telework as much as possible. (March 15)
The Defense Department expanded its travel ban with new restrictions on domestic travel civilian and military personnel. (March 14)
Federal employees are recommended against domestic travel to conduct agency business, except for trips deemed mission-critical. (March 14)
Not every agency will be ready to flip the switch from F2F to WFH, according to experts and former officials. (March 13)
As concerns over the coronavirus outbreak drives more agencies towards expanding employee telework, federal acquisition contracts can help ease some of the pain. (March 11)
Officials said more money would improve the agency's detection and tracking capabilities for emerging diseases. (March 10)
The Securities and Exchange Commission said it was encouraging headquarters employees to telework as a cautionary measure. (March 10)
Office of Personnel Management Director Dale Cabaniss urged agency heads over the weekend to "ensure that written telework agreements are in place for as many employees as possible," and encouraged agencies to extend ad hoc telework agreements to all telework eligible employees. (March 8)
Civilian employees at the Defense Department are urged to telework, teleconference and use leave when necessary while other agencies are formulating their own workforce policy responses. (March 9)
Contracting work could require some creative thinking for agencies and contractors in the event facilities are affected by the spread of coronavirus. (March 9)
A group of Senate Democrats urged the Office of Personnel Management to assure federal employees and contractors that they won't face any discipline or adverse employment actions for following official guidance on when to stay home from work. (March 6)
A governmentwide federal contract vehicle joined large commercial suppliers in voicing concern over COVID-19's impact on IT supply chains. (Feb. 28)