Weekly Roundup: June 20-24, 2016

Better Data Saves Big Bucks.  Nextgov reports:  “This week, the Justice Department announced the largest fraud takedown in Medicare’s history, resulting in criminal and civil charges for 301 individuals accused of participating in health care fraud schemes totaling $900 million. . . But the key . . . isn’t just more manpower.  HHS recently hired a chief data officer and has aggressive plans for a cadre of new data gurus. “Data can be the unsung hero,” said Caryl Brzymialkiewicz, chief data officer and assistant inspector general at HHS.

Government Website Redesign Underway.  Governing writes that many state and local governments are redesigning old websites to become more customer (instead of agency) centric, and to integrate the use of mobile apps.  The federal government might find inspiration in the many efforts underway!

Looking for a promotion?  According to Federal News Radio: “New memos from the Office of Personnel Management encourage agencies to give “strong preference” to  national security senior executive candidates who’ve completed interagency rotations. . . .In the preference guidance from OPM acting Director Beth Cobert, agencies are encouraged when filling senior positions within an Interagency Community of Interest, to give “a strong preference to individuals who have performed interagency rotational service” within that community.”

Should Micro Purchases be Macro’d? Government Executive reports: “Federal agencies are potentially overspending billions of dollars each year by allowing employees to make small purchases on government charge cards instead of using the government's buying power to negotiate discounts,” according to a new GAO report.

Michael Keegan

'Policy' and 'operations': Don’t choose one over the other. Steve Kelman argues that government needs more leaders with experience in both areas. We need more appreciation in government for the roles of both policy and operations in creating a government that serves people. All too often in government, appreciation for the role of operations is lacking. Policy jobs are often seen as the glamorous ones, while operations often gets no respect. As a result of this, many policy people may ignore questions of operations when they design policies.  If they do, government won't work well.

DHS CIO touts tech transformation. An increased focus on agile development and contracting is helping the Department of Homeland Security move ahead on a host of technical fronts, DHS CIO Luke McCormack said. "We're transforming, using modern techniques to modernize" the department, he said during a panel discussion at AFCEA's Homeland Security Conference on June 22.

VA secretary presses Congress on funding for modernization. Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald said his agency can be modernized but not without the help of Congress. "If Congress doesn't act on these transformational changes, VA will not be able to complete its transformation and veterans will have to settle for a VA that is not as responsive to their needs," McDonald said in a speech at the Brookings Institution.

Senior Executive Service Faces ‘Pivotal Moment’ on Cusp of Next Administration.Report details some agencies’ efforts to infuse new life into the frail, aging elite career corps.

John Lainhart

FedRAMP finally releases high-impact security baseline.  General Services Administration's Federal Risk Authorization and Management Program released its high-impact security baseline Thursday. This policy allows federal agencies to store highly sensitive information on any cloud service provider once it’s been given FedRAMP’s HIGH accreditation — provided certain controls are in place. This new high-impact baseline adds 100 security controls on top the program’s moderate impact level. With these 421 controls in place, the baseline allows over half of the budget dedicated to federal IT to explore updating their legacy systems by moving to the cloud.

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The Business of Government Radio Show.  What are the strategic priorities of the USDA’s Food and Inspection Service? How is FSIS ensuring this country’s food is safe and uncontaminated? How is FSIS leveraging technology and innovation to meet its mission? Join host Michael Keegan as he explores these questions and much more Alfred Almanza, Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Broadcast Schedule: The show airs Monday at 11 a.m., and Friday at 1 p.m. on Federal News Radio 1500AM WFED.

If you can't wait, though, you can listen to (or download) this week's program and all our previous interviews at businessofgovernment.org.