Horizon Cutting-room Links: Friday, 21 March 2025

Today is Friday, 21 March 2025. Federal agencies in the Washington, DC area are Open. Employees are expected to begin the workday on time. Normal operating procedures are in effect. Sunny, with a high near 59. Northwest wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph.

"Draft EO would make GSA the center of most common buys," Federal News Network

"President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order in the coming days that would put the General Services Administration in charge of buying all products and services that make up the 10 areas of category management."

"Additionally, GSA will take over management of governmentwide acquisition contracts (GWACs) for IT services and products with an eye toward reducing duplicative vehicles."

"DOD to Cut $580 Million in Spending," DOD press release

"The top contract being cut is a software development program for the Defense Civilian Human Resources Management System, which was intended to streamline a significant portion of DOD's legacy human resources program. The program started in 2018 and was supposed to take one year to develop at a cost of $36 million. However, Hegseth said it is now nearly eight years behind schedule and $280 million over budget."

"The Pentagon is also cutting contracts for external consulting services, including $30 million allotted to one company that purchased several unused licenses, Hegseth said. In addition to contracts, DOD is also cutting $360 million in grants."

"GSA sets May deadline for more staff cuts through layoffs and incentives," FedNewsNetwork

"GSA is offering Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) and Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments (VSIP) to employees. Wednesday is the first day eligible employees can apply for early retirement and buyouts.

GSA Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer Jeremy Taylor told employees in an email the agency will accept VERA and VSIP applications through April 4.

Employees who accept the VERA/VSIP will separate from the agency no later than May 3."

"Employees laid off through an ongoing Reduction in Force (RIF) are eligible to apply to the VERA/VSIP, but Taylor said RIF’d employees are prohibited from receiving both a VSIP payment and severance."

"Governmentwide hiring freeze to extend ‘at least’ through 2025, GSA head tells employees," FedNewsNetwork

"According to GSA employees who attended the meeting, Ehikian also said the Trump administration expects to keep a current 90-day governmentwide hiring freeze going 'at least' through Dec.31."

"The Southwest Free Bag Hack Is Ending. No More Turkeys, Tire Rims and Kitchen Sinks," Wall Street Journal

"But the fun is over. Southwest, which long embraced bag checkers, plans to end its two-free-bag policy in May. It’s reserving free checked items for customers with elite status and those who hold its co-branded credit card."

"Craig Wetter hauled two kitchen sinks from a wholesaler’s outlet in Sarasota, Fla., where he lives, to apartments he was rehabbing near Chicago last month—all with the help of Southwest."

"When Elizabeth Campbell’s parents didn’t have a Christmas tree in Florida, checking one for a holiday visit was a no-brainer. Her family had just bought a new tree, so the old one, still in its original box, was up for grabs. And the family of five could have checked as many as 10 bags without paying."