Horizon cutting-room links: Wednesday, 23 April 2025

This week, the Horizon dug into why procurement reform may be easier said than done. Your Horizon cutting-room links follow.

“As re-firings begin, judge demands Trump administration tell probationary employees they were not let go for poor performance,” Government Executive

A federal judge mandates that agencies inform thousands of probationary employees that their dismissals were not due to poor performance, despite allowing refirings to proceed, highlighting the ongoing legal and ethical implications of the Trump administration's actions regarding federal employment.

• Federal agencies must notify refired probationary employees that their terminations were not performance-related.
• The original firings were deemed illegal, with the judge calling the stated reasons a "total sham."
• Some agencies have resumed refirings, raising concerns about compliance with the judge's ruling.
• The ruling may open avenues for refired employees to challenge their dismissals based on the legal framework governing probationary employment.

“SSA is rolling out a new chatbot for employees,” GovExec

SSA is set to launch a new generative AI-powered chatbot aimed at enhancing employee efficiency and support, despite concerns about data handling and testing protocols, as the agency navigates significant workforce reductions.

• SSA introduces a chatbot named "Agency Support Companion" to assist employees with content creation and research.
• The chatbot is trained on data up to October 2023 and requires employees to validate its responses.
• The initiative aligns with SSA's commitment to leveraging technology amid planned staffing cuts of 7,000 employees.
• Experts warn about potential biases in AI and the rush to deploy such tools without thorough evaluation.

“Army picks Raytheon radar for Patriot system,” Defense One

The US Army has selected Raytheon's Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) for the modernization of its aging Patriot missile defense system, marking a significant advancement in defense technology with initial production set to accelerate the transition from prototype to deployment. The LTAMDS radar has received approval for initial production.

• This new system aims to replace the outdated Patriot missile defense system first deployed in 1984.
• Raytheon has successfully conducted eight flight tests, demonstrating the radar's effectiveness.
• The Army plans to expedite the acquisition process using Middle-Tier Acquisition authority, potentially reducing development timelines significantly.

“D.C. mayor authorizes termination of contracts, leases to address budget shortfall ,” Washington Business Journal

“The order authorizes City Administrator Kevin Donahue to terminate contracts, leases, grants and agreements as needed to close spending gaps. City officials said they have not yet identified specific contracts for termination. It also imposes a freeze on expenditures defined by CFO Glen Lee as ‘contractual services,’ according to city officials. Payments for work already rendered will be disbursed, officials said.”

“The order comes as the city works to comply with the continuing resolution Congress approved in March that reverted the city's approved 2025 budget back to 2024 levels, effectively requiring $1.1 billion in cuts.

“Immediately after approving the spending bill, the Senate approved a bill that would restore D.C.'s funding. But the House, which recently went on recess until later this month, has yet to take up the bill, despite President Donald Trump encouraging members to approve it.”