Horizon cutting-room links: Friday, 11 April 2025
Since Wednesday, the Horizon has covered layoffs at GSA TTS while GSA issues guidance to agencies to facilitate acquisition consolidation. The Army is tightening helicopter flight protocols after the deadly crash with an American commuter jet, as the F-35 JPO breaks down the fighter’s projected $2.1 trillion price tag. Meanwhile, WorldPride may warn trans travelers against celebrating pride in the US. Your cutting-room links follow.
“OPM digitizes federal retirement booklets as part of longtime modernization effort,” Federal News Network
OPM has successfully digitized four federal retirement booklets, making them available online to enhance accessibility and reduce delays for federal retirees. This modernization effort, which took about a year and a half, represents a significant step in OPM's ongoing initiative to update the federal retirement process, which has historically relied on paper documentation.
“Senate confirms Atkins as SEC chair,” Roll Call
The Senate has confirmed Paul Atkins as the new chair of the SEC, with expectations that he will take a more industry-friendly approach compared to his predecessor, Gary Gensler, particularly regarding cryptocurrency regulations. Senate Banking ranking member Elizabeth Warren criticized Atkins, highlighting his past decisions as an SEC commissioner that she claims contributed to the 2008 financial crisis
“Regulation ideally should be smart, effective and appropriately tailored within the confines of the regulator’s statutory authority,” said Atkins … “In short, clear rules of the road benefit all market participants.”
“Hegseth Announces Additional $5.1 Billion in DOD Spending Cuts,” DOD press release
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the elimination of $5.1 billion in DOD contracts, including significant cuts to consulting services and diversity initiatives, as part of a broader effort to refocus spending on essential military needs. These include $1.8 billion in consulting contracts the Defense Health Agency awarded to various private sector firms, a $1.4 billion enterprise cloud IT services contract awarded to a software reseller, and a $500 million Navy contract for business process consulting. DOD also further cut DEI contracts and stopped “over $500 million in funding to a pair of universities that ‘tolerate antisemitism and support divisive DEI programs’."
“Seeking reset, Hegseth affirms Panama’s sovereignty over canal,” Defense News
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reaffirmed Panama's sovereignty over the Panama Canal during his visit, aiming to ease tensions following President Trump's controversial remarks about reclaiming the canal. Hegseth's visit included signing agreements to enhance U.S.-Panama military cooperation, while Panama's President Raul Mulino publicly condemned Trump's claims as an affront to the nation's dignity.
“DynCorp settles DOJ False Claims lawsuit from 2016,” Washington Business Journal
DynCorp International has settled a 2016 DOJ False Claims lawsuit for $21 million, related to allegations of overcharging the government during the Iraq War, without admitting any wrongdoing. The lawsuit revealed that a DynCorp subcontractor charged inflated rates under a State Department contract, which DynCorp knowingly passed on to the government despite being aware of the uncompetitive rates.
“Delta Air Lines Says It Won't Take Any Deliveries of Airbus Planes Built in Europe While Tariffs Are in Place,” Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Delta Air Lines announced it will defer deliveries of Airbus aircraft built in Europe or Canada while tariffs remain in effect, coincidentally removing projected capacity (ie, airplanes) from a softening economic environment. This head fake highlights tariffs could increase aircraft costs by 10 to 20 percent, changing the economics. Delta has 15 more A350-900 on order plus 20 A350-1000s, the new flagship.
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