The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

It’s been a busy month for the Space Development Agency. After a months-long pause, SDA has just launched its next batch of satellites after it dealt with issues in the group of communications satellites known as Tranche 1. To explain that strategic pause, and what the agency learned from it. Jennifer Elzea, SDA’s director of strategic engagement talked with Federal News Network’s Anastasia Obis.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An Army initiative that launched in 2024 wants to reshape how soldiers prepare for future wars. But as the "Transformation in Contact" program has expanded to include the Army National Guard, it's begun to strain the balance between staying ready for today's fight and looking ahead to the next one. Outdated facilities are making it hard to adapt to new technology, and that new technology has started to crowd spaces soldiers still need for regular operations and training. Federal News Network's defense reporter Rachel Cohen joins us with more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Governments around the world are rethinking the technologies and capabilities they'll need for future conflicts. I caught up with OJ Sanchez, president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, at the Farnborough Airshow to discuss what military customers are asking for now and what lessons industry is taking from today's battlefields.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Building military capability takes more than defense contractors alone. Increasingly, the Pentagon is looking to commercial manufacturers, technology firms and other nontraditional partners to expand the defense industrial base. That's a topic drawing growing attention across the defense community, and my next guest says Michigan is becoming a focal point for that shift. Scott Davis is president of the NDIA Michigan Chapter.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The government says it wants greater access to commercial technology and innovation. But cybersecurity requirements, data protections and agency-specific policies can make the federal marketplace difficult to navigate. Joining me to discuss that balancing act is senior fellow at the George Mason University Baroni Center for Government Contracting and former GSA Administrator, Emily Murphy.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 The debate over controlled unclassified information is revealing a larger struggle over how government buys technology The Defense Department is looking for new ways to bring commercial innovation and manufacturing capacity into the national security arena Military leaders are drawing new lessons from conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East and beyond. Those lessons are reshaping what they expect from industry and how quickly new capabilities need to reach the fieldSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As Space Force leaders argue that doubling the size of the newest branch of the military is a “national security necessity,” roughly 25% of the jobs within the service were unfilled in fiscal 2025, and the service lacks guidance for determining how many people it actually needs to accomplish its missions. Federal News Network’s Anastasia Obis has more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Fired probationary employees from the Department of Homeland Security and the Interior Department are continuing to challenge the legality of their terminations last year. This time, they’re taking their fight to federal appeals court. The ex-employees are challenging the Merit Systems Protection Board’s decision to dismiss their case. For more, Federal News Network’s Justin Doubleday joins me.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For decades, federal radiation standards have been guided by the principle that exposures should be kept as low as reasonably achievable. Now the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is considering changes to that framework while maintaining the same scientific assessment of radiation risk. The debate centers on how regulators put that science into practice. Joining me to walk through the issue is Edwin Lyman, director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Trump administration has released its latest Unified Agenda, offering the clearest picture yet of what federal agencies expect to work on in the coming months. While the White House continues to emphasize deregulation, the agenda shows a government that remains deeply engaged in writing and revising rules. Joining me for a closer look, Will Yeatman, the new director of the Regulatory Studies Center at George Washington University.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It was a busy week on Capitol Hill, with House lawmakers advancing spending, defense and other major legislation before leaving town. What happens next will depend on both the Senate and the agencies responsible for implementation. Here with the latest is Mitchell Miller, Capitol Hill correspondent for WTOP.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 . . . Congress can pass legislation. Government still has to implement it. A look at the week on Capitol Hill with Mitchell Miller The Trump administration continues to champion deregulation. But agencies still have thousands of regulatory actions on their to-do lists The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is considering changes to decades-old radiation protection requirements. At issue is how regulators translate scientific risk into practical operating rulesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Space Force’s Space Systems Command already is seeing an increase in trust and confidence when it comes to applying artificial intelligence tools to mission areas. While hard metrics still may be difficult to point to, for areas like source selection or market research, Guardians already are feeling the impact of these new and emerging capabilities. F Schnell is deputy portfolio acquisition executive for the Space Force Infrastructure Office, and Capt. “Doc” Rana is the director of Human-AI Teaming Lab at Space Systems Command. They talked about it with Federal News Network’s Jason Miller on our Space and Satellite Exchange. Rana speaks first.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Merit Systems Protection Board is no longer describing itself as “independent.” In recent weeks, the board has been removing the word “independent” from its public-facing materials. The action has raised questions of confidence in other MSPB processes. Here with more, Federal News Network’s Drew Friedman.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For years, policymakers have looked at military family issues through separate lenses; housing, employment, health care or mental health. But a new study suggests families experience those challenges as an integrated whole. And when those pressures build, the consequences extend beyond the household and into military readiness itself. Here to walk through the details is Gabby L'Esperance, Vice President of Research and Evaluation at Military Family Advisory Network.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The administration says recent personnel changes are intended to make government more effective and improve accountability. But as agencies move from policy announcements to implementation, questions remain about consistency, fairness and the day-to-day realities facing the managers and employees who make government work. John Hatton of NARFE joins me to help us see the forest and not just the trees.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As concerns about threats against judges continue to grow, members of the Supreme Court took the unusual step of personally advocating for additional security funding on Capitol Hill. That appearance may say as much about the pressures facing the judiciary as the dollars being requested. Joining me with her perspective is Isa Ulloa, founder and CEO of the Public Service Alliance.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 It's easy to focus on the latest workforce rule or executive action. But taken together, these changes raise a larger question: what's the right balance between holding employees accountable and helping them perform at their best? What if military readiness starts at the kitchen table? A new survey of more than 10,000 military and veteran families finds that family well-being, financial stability, health care access, and spouse employment are deeply connected—and directly tied to readiness. Supreme Court justices are accustomed to hearing arguments, not making them before Congress. Recently, two justices went to Capitol Hill to make a case for more security funding.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Transportation Security Administration is pushing a new privatized security screening model called Gold-Plus. Now some airports are starting to opt into that initiative. TSA and the airports say it will help modernize airport security screening. But TSA employees are worried about losing their federal jobs. For more, Federal News Network’s Justin Doubleday joins me.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Army is overhauling how it manages its civilian workforce, issuing a directive that aims to make it easier to reward top performers while speeding up the removal of employees with unacceptable performance. The policy touches everything from disciplinary actions and incentive awards, to leave policies and voluntary separation programs. But those who are up for removal will have less time to defend their work than in the past. Federal News Network's Rachel Cohen joins us with more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The best decisions are usually made before a crisis arrives. Long-term care planning is a good example. Families that understand their options early have more flexibility than those forced to decide in the middle of a health emergency. Here with some perspective and advice on preparing before the pressure arrives, is certified financial planner Thiago Glieger of RMG Advisors.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Government has spent more than a decade building digital-service teams. But a new retrospective argues that many successes depended on workarounds rather than lasting institutional change. The authors say the next challenge is creating durable systems that can consistently deliver results and help agencies make better decisions. Here to walk us through their recommendations are Laura Sigelmann and Merici Vinton of the Federation of American Scientists. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal datasets don't always die dramatically. Sometimes they lose a variable here, an update there, and slowly drift into the statistical afterlife. In this installment of the Data Dish, we take a closer look at which federal datasets have truly flatlined and which are merely hanging on. Joining me are Denice Ross and Chris Dick. Denice is Director of Federal Data Policy at the Federation of American Scientists. Chris is a data scientist, demographer, and founder of Demographic Analytics Advisors.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 GertonWhen is a dataset truly dead? And when is it just being kept alive by a stubborn server and a little hope? On the Data Dish, we're checking the pulse of America's public data systemsAfter years of digital transformation efforts, some experts say government still lacks a common vision for what digital success actually looks likeNobody likes talking about long-term care. The problem is that waiting often means making major decisions with less time and less informationSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

General Dynamics Information Technology is challenging the Defense Information Systems Agency’s decision to expand Leidos’ $11 billion Defense Enclave Services contract to include the combatant commands. The company argues that the agency should have competed the new work. Federal News Network’s Anastasia Obis 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.

More than a year after a governmentwide return-to-office mandate, federal employees are reporting lower productivity, diminished morale and increasing strains on their work-life balance. A recent survey conducted by Federal News Network finds that many feds are experiencing distracting workspaces, long commutes and inadequate resources. Here with more on the latest survey results, Federal News Network’s Drew Friedman.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Agencies collect enormous amounts of information about performance. But those measures don't always answer a fundamental management question: does the organization have the capability to accomplish its mission? My next guest believes federal leaders need a better way to assess readiness. Joining me is John Mullins, founder of Mullins Consulting.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Knowing whether a program is succeeding requires more than good intentions. It requires a disciplined look at results. Congress strengthened federal performance-management requirements in 2024, but a new GAO review finds important pieces still haven't been fully implemented. Here to explain what GAO found is Lori Atkinson, acting director for strategic issues at GAO. Read the report here: https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-26-108516.pdf See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When people hear the word accountability, they often think about assigning responsibility after something goes wrong. But my next guest says accountability starts much earlier. It begins with creating the conditions for success. Joining me is Dr. Abraham Wandersman, senior scientist at the Wandersman Center at Fors Marsh.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 . . . Government spends a lot of time measuring compliance. But does accountability actually help programs succeed? If accountability depends on honest assessments of performance, are agencies using the tools Congress gave them to make those assessments? Federal agencies measure everything from staffing levels to performance goals. But those metrics don't always tell leaders whether they actually have the capacity to accomplish their missionSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Space Force has officially welcomed its first part-time service members, launching a first-of-its-kind personnel model that allows Guardians to move between full-time and part-time service without transferring to the National Guard or Reserves. Service leaders say the approach will help recruit and retain skilled workers, particularly those with expertise in the commercial space and technology sectors. But the new model also raises questions about how the military will manage a more flexible workforce and whether its aging personnel systems are ready to support it. Federal News Network's Rachel Cohen joins me with more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal agencies are facing growing pressure to replace heavily customized legacy business systems with commercial off-the-shelf platforms that are easier to maintain, update and secure. At the Defense Logistics Agency, officials are treating their enterprise resource planning modernization project as more than just a technology upgrade. DLA says it’s using the transition as an opportunity to rethink how it does business as DoD pursues its first clean audit. Adarryl Roberts is DLA’s chief information officer. He talked about the work with Federal News Network’s Jory Heckman.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal contractors are navigating uncertainty on several fronts, from evolving cybersecurity requirements to ongoing questions surrounding overseas programs. The common challenge goes beyond mere compliance to making business decisions when policy direction is still taking shape. Here with more on what PSC members are seeing, is the council's president, Stephanie Kostro.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GSA is taking another run at what could become the federal government's first acquisition clause focused specifically on large language models. After significant industry pushback, the agency revised its proposal and is now reviewing feedback on a new draft. Here to breakdown the feedback from last week's public listening session is Dan Ramish, partner at Haynes Boone.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Recent changes to the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program led some contractors to believe requirements had been put on hold. The reality is more complicated. Most cybersecurity obligations remain in place, while responsibility for demonstrating compliance may be shifting more directly to contractors and the executives who certify them. For an update, I'm joined by Eric Crusius, partner at Hunton-Andrews-Kurth.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 The Defense Department has paused part of its cybersecurity certification program, but contractors still have cybersecurity obligations. So who's currently responsible for proving compliance As agencies rethink cybersecurity requirements, they're also working through how to manage risks associated with artificial intelligence. GSA's latest AI contract clause is getting a better reception from industry, but key questions remain If there's a common thread running through debates over cybersecurity requirements, AI rules, and other acquisition policies, it's uncertainty. Contractors are still trying to understand what government expects of themSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Pentagon has kicked off its review of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program. Defense officials plan to hold listening sessions across the country to hear about compliance concerns. But questions continue to swirl around what exactly the Pentagon can do differently this time to balance small businesses cost concerns with the need to enforce cyber requirements. For the latest, Federal News Network’s Justin Doubleday joins me. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Senate lawmakers are calling for an independent audit of the Defense Department's multibillion-dollar TRICARE pharmacy program amid concerns that its longtime contractor, Express Scripts, may have a financial incentive to steer beneficiaries toward its own pharmacies. Federal News Network’s Anastasia Obis has more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As lawmakers look toward the August recess, several of the year's biggest policy debates remain unresolved. Budget issues, pending nominees and early discussions about another reconciliation bill are all competing for attention on Capitol Hill. Here with an update on where things stand, is Loren Duggan, Deputy News Director for Bloomberg Government.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Questions about federal data have increasingly moved from the margins of government policy to the center of it. A new report argues that the United States needs a stronger national data ecosystem if it hopes to support effective decision-making, trustworthy artificial intelligence, and a well-informed public. Joining me to walk through their recommendations are Richard Coffin, chief of research and advocacy at USAFacts, and Joel Gurin, president and founder of the Center for Open Data Enterprise.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Most Americans never think about the statistical methods used to protect personal information in federal data products. But a recent Commerce Department order is raising questions about how agencies will balance privacy protections with the need to publish useful public data. Joining me with his concerns is Paul Schroeder, executive director of the Council of Professional Associations on Federal Statistics.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" Federal data helps drive everything from economic forecasts to local planning decisions. Now a new Commerce Department policy has experts debating how government should balance privacy, transparency, and access to information Artificial intelligence may be getting the attention, but AI is only as reliable as the data behind it Washington is entering the annual sprint to the August recess. Congress still has major decisions ahead on spending, nominations, and a possible new reconciliation packageSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal employees have recently scored a few small victories in their quest to restore telework. Two Justice Department attorneys with disabilities will be able to telework as their lawsuit against DOJ continues. And an independent arbitrator has sided with the union in a case involving telework at the Forest Service. Here with a recap on the return-to-office, Federal News Network’s Drew Friedman.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 launching a new health screening initiative that will check for low testosterone as part of annual physicals for service members age 30 and older. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the effort is intended to improve readiness, resilience and long-term health, while emphasizing that testosterone replacement therapy would be voluntary. But the announcement is also raising questions about the medical evidence behind widespread screening and how the policy will be implemented across the force. Federal News Network's Rachel Cohen joins me with more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Supply-chain discussions usually focus on advanced technologies. Retired Brigadier General John Teichert says policymakers should pay more attention to a far more basic input: cement. He argues that growing reliance on imports could create risks for military and critical infrastructure projects. He spoke with Federal News Network's Eric White.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The VA’s inspector general found that a tool designed to determine police staffing levels lacked validation, clear ownership and consistent use. Those very common problems left facilities without a dependable model to guide their planning and coverage. Joining me to discuss the findings and what happens next is the VA’s inspector general, Cheryl Mason. Read the report here: https://www.vaoig.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2026-06/vaoig_25-00523-82_final.pdf 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" The VA wanted a consistent way to determine police staffing levels. An inspector general audit found important gaps in the tool meant to make that happen Runways, hangars, seawalls, and military facilities all start with the same thing: concrete. A former Air Force commander says that's worth paying attention See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Space Development Agency is resuming deployments of its proliferated satellite constellation. The agency had to slow down the pace of its launches due to some technical issues but its third in the series of Tranche One launches is now scheduled for July 16. Federal News Network’s Anastasia Obis has more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dozens of House and Senate Democrats are demanding answers from the Trump administration on its implementation of Schedule Policy/Career. A letter sent to the White House this week calls for details about exactly how many positions have been reclassified and whether there are plans to add to the list of those stripped of their civil service protections. Here with more, Federal News Network’s Drew Friedman.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Modern warfare puts a premium on speed. A new report argues that when the Pentagon can move quickly from identifying a need to fielding a solution, it can have a direct impact on military effectiveness. For more details, Federal News Network's Eric White spoke with Stephanie Halcrow, senior fellow at George Mason University's Center for Government Contracting.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.