Today, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released its most recent updates to the Biden-Harris President’s Management Agenda (PMA).
This quarter, we saw significant progress across each of the three priority areas. PMA teams are expanding opportunities for federal careers, demonstrating increased progress across Life Experience pilot projects, and optimizing federal acquisition efficiency and cost savings.
Engaging and Expanding the Federal Workforce
The PMA workforce priority teams are expanding hiring and career growth opportunities, while continuing to improve the Federal Government workplace. In a commitment to career federal employees, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced a final rule that clarifies and reinforces protections for career civil servants. These protections ensure that all 2.3 million federal employees can continue to carry out their duties with confidence, regardless of any changes in administration.
In the last quarter, OPM launched several initiatives focused on employee retention and engagement. This includes the newly released intern conversion database in the USAJOBS Agency Talent Portal for agencies to access and find high performing interns eligible for full-time employment opportunities.
In addition, OPM’s guidance on Pay Flexibility, Incentive Pay, and Leave and Workforce Flexibility Programs for Artificial Intelligence (AI), AI-enabling, and Other Key Technical Employees allows agencies to offer more competitive pay, incentives, and flexible work arrangements to help the government attract the best AI talent. The goal is to build the workforce of the future and ensure the Federal Government hires the talent necessary to thrive in the AI era. On April 4, the Performance.gov team hosted a webinar on Unlocking the People Potential of AI in Government. Check out the recording if you missed it.
To strengthen HR capabilities, OPM updated its HR competency model, which lists technical competencies and associated tasks for multiple specialty areas. Updating the model allows HR professionals to better identify skill gaps and enhance skills for building capabilities government-wide.
In support of “Future of Work” activities, OPM is hosting a Workforce of the Future webinar series with topics on innovative hiring practices, mental health, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). Finally, teams at GSA prototyped the use of federal coworking spaces across the federal enterprise — with seven sites already live and available for use. These efforts are focused on building a stronger, more adaptable federal workforce prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future.
To read all of the new Priority 1 milestones and goals, check out the Workforce Priority page.
Enhancing the Federal Customer Experience
Across the Customer Experience (CX) Priority Area, teams continue to improve the delivery of simple, seamless, and secure services across government. High Impact Service Providers (HISPs) completed their 2024 CX assessments with OMB and discussed ongoing efforts such as the new Direct File Pilot Program and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services partnership with the United States Digital Service to help states make their systems more accurate and efficient.
The Life Experience teams also provided updates on their efforts this quarter.
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The “Having a Child and Early Childhood” team led a workshop in New York City that brought together individuals from government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector to share international practices and ideas to support young families. The gathering coincided with the United Nations Women’s Commission on the Status of Women conference and over 40 maternal and childhood advocates, funders, innovators, and community organization representatives participated.
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The “Approaching Retirement” team working on the “Increasing Access to Decision-making Support for Older Adults” project hosted the first Federal Forum for Older Adults. The more than 200 attendees discussed the expanded eligibility for the “Extra Help” program that helps Medicare beneficiaries with low income pay for prescription drug coverage.
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The “Recovering from a Disaster” team hosted a webinar featuring updates on pilot projects. They are continuing to expand the pilot of trauma-informed care workshops to gather feedback from other agencies.
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The “Facing a Financial Shock” team focused on improving data services for benefits delivery. The team produced a process map with state needs and opportunities in addition to publishing a USDS case study.
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The “Navigating Transition to Civilian Life” team ran a new digital project end to end. They defined, co-designed, tested, and iterated a new digital solution for service members. The project customized and integrated service transition information for service members. The information presented is individualized based on their potential career pathways, service tenure, and service separation date.
To read all of the new Priority 2 milestones and goals, check out the complete Customer Experience page.
Managing the Business of Government
For Priority 3, Managing the Business of Government, acquisition efficiency and cost savings remain a top priority for the Biden-Harris Administration. Strategy leads across agencies are collaborating to optimize contracting processes to achieve better outcomes. This effort involves sharing successful practices through the Better Contracting Initiative, which highlights methods like performance-based contracts and cost containment measures for high-risk projects. Best practices are further amplified through the Acquisition Accelerate (AcqCelerate) Savings Challenge, a program showcasing a diverse range of strategies aimed at maximizing efficiency and driving cost savings across federal agencies.
On April 4, OMB released the 2024 Revision to the Uniform Guidance, which sets the foundational requirements for agencies in making grants and providing other forms of Federal financial assistance, such as cooperative agreements and loans. These revisions will help make federal grant applications clearer, to ensure those eligible for federal funds can smoothly gain access to them. The guidance also promotes equitable access to programs and services, reduces administrative burden for federal agencies and recipients of Federal financial assistance, and streamlines oversight and implementation of federal programs. Together, federal agencies will be working to ensure the consistent implementation of the 2024 Revision with the Council on Federal Financial Assistance (COFFA) leading this coordinated effort.
To achieve their annual priorities, the COFFA established project groups. One of the project groups is focused on developing tools to help agencies simplify their Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs). In the coming months, the COFFA will develop tools to make NOFOs less complex and more accessible, with the intention of increasing participation from underserved communities.
To read all of the new Priority 3 milestones and goals, check out the complete Business of Government page.
Next week (May 5 - 11) is Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW), and Peformance.gov is excited for you to join us as we recognize the invaluable efforts of government employees who ensure that the everyday needs of Americans are met, no matter where they are in the country. We will highlight our appreciation through our #GovPossible campaign and our upcoming PMA webinar, featuring insights on public service career journeys and a panel discussion with Federal Government employees. Register today!
Stay Informed
We will continue to update Performance.gov quarterly with progress on agency and PMA priorities. We invite you to continue to track our progress and keep up with events by following Performance.gov on LinkedIn and Twitter (X). Subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates straight to your inbox.
