PEO Pulse - March 27, 2020

The "PEO Pulse" is a weekly digest of relevant news, recent PEO EIS events and updates to keep our workforce informed. 

Take a look at the headlines in this week's edition:

• GFEBS VIRTUALLY HONORS THREE CIVILIAN RETIREES
• IPPS-A STATEMENT ON THE COVID-19 SITUATION
• DCO IS READY AND ARMY STRONG!
• JEFF WHETZEL ENHANCES EVENTS WITH LIVE VIDEO
• U.S. ARMY RAISES HEALTH PROTECTION ACROSS ALL INSTALLATIONS
• NEW LEADER IS A FAMILIAR FACE FOR C3T
• TOP ARMY LEADERS ARE SCRAMBLING TO STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 AFTER MITIGATION PROVES 'INSUFFICIENT,' DOCUMENTS REVEAL
• SOME TOP GENERALS MAY STAY LONGER IN THEIR JOBS AMID NATIONAL EMERGENCY
• ESPER SHUTS DOWN U.S. TROOP MOVEMENTS AMID CORONAVIRUS SPREAD
• U.S. NAVY STRENGTHENS SUPPLY CHAIN DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
• HOW TO PROTECT SENSITIVE MILITARY INFORMATION IN THE AGE OF COVID-19 TELEWORKING
• WHAT THE $2T CORONAVIRUS STIMULUS MEANS FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES, RETIREES AND CONTRACTORS
• TEAM COVERAGE: COVID-19 AND THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE
• FEDERAL WORKERS, DEMS PUSH FOR HAZARD PAY IN NEXT CORONAVIRUS LEGISLATION
• HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR EMPLOYEES DURING THE CORONAVIRUS
• PENTAGON LOOSENS CASH FLOW FOR INDUSTRY, MORE MEASURES LIKELY COMING
• CORONAVIRUS, DEFENSE INDUSTRY COLLIDE; SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS; TRADE SHOWS CANCELED AND MORE
• DEFENSE INDUSTRY TO DOD: IF WE SEND WORKERS HOME, WILL YOU PENALIZE US?

►► UPCOMING EVENTS

• April 16 - Lunch & Learn (virtual)
• May 13 - PEO EIS Newcomers Brief
• May 27 - PEO Change of Charter Ceremony

►► CONGRESSIONAL

This month, PEO EIS continues to provide annual budget overview updates to Authorizer and Appropriator professional staff members. These briefings are being conducted virtually in light of the currently pandemic, ensuring the safety of all participants.

On March 26, the Senate passed H.R. 748, providing nearly $2 trillion to individuals, businesses, and states, among others, in response to the coronavirus pandemic under the Senate-passed version of H.R. 748. The measure, negotiated between the Senate and administration, includes among other items loans to companies and state and local governments and relief payments to individual taxpayers. It also provides $342 billion in emergency supplemental funding, including $100 billion for hospitals.

►► AROUND EIS

GFEBS VIRTUALLY HONORS THREE CIVILIAN RETIREES
Colonel Donald L. Burton, project manager for General Fund Enterprise Business System (GFEBS), found a creative way to honor three retiring civilians during challenging times for everyone. “Using the tools of video teleconferencing and a telephone audio bridge, we were able to allow colleagues to witness the presentation of Meritorious Civilian Service Medals to our three incredible retirees,” said Colonel Burton. 
*Read More: https://www.eis.army.mil/newsroom/news/finance-accounting/gfebs-virtually-honors-three-civilian-retirees

IPPS-A STATEMENT ON THE COVID-19 SITUATION
In accordance with Army-wide guidance, we stand ready to continue our operations at IPPS-A, protect the health of our team, and deter the spread of COVID-19. The IPPS-A team will be utilizing various technologies to conduct long-term and day-to-day business to secure IPPS-A fielding, sustainment, and operations. Live training webinars will continue this month on Accessions: PSG and Unit Level CRM Management. We encourage the field to participate in this training and to ask their questions and learn more about these topics.
*Read More: https://www.eis.army.mil/newsroom/news/human-capital/ipps-statement-covid-19-situation

DCO IS READY AND ARMY STRONG!
Rapid response is our slogan; defending the cyber network is our mission. Though not on the front lines of physical action, the Project Manager Defensive Cyber Operations is surrounding the enemy in cyberspace with full force. Our Global Cyber Defenders have remained fully operational since the advent of the United States COVID-19 virus pandemic. 
*Read More: https://www.eis.army.mil/newsroom/news/defensive-cyber/we-are-ready-and-army-strong

JEFF WHETZEL ENHANCES EVENTS WITH LIVE VIDEO
Jeff Whetzel, a systems engineer who livestreams PEO EIS events and provides web-hosting services for Army websites, is a creative problem solver with a can-do-it attitude, Whetzel has always enjoyed working with computers. He served in the Virginia Army National Guard as a computer operator for six years and subsequently became an IT expert troubleshooting problems for more than 400 Washington Examiner employees. To unwind, he and his wife enjoy watching Blue Bloods, a TV series about a multi-generational family of police officers. Whetzel answered nine questions about his career and life.
*Read More: https://www.eis.army.mil/jeff-whetzel

►► ARMY

U.S. ARMY RAISES HEALTH PROTECTION ACROSS ALL INSTALLATIONS
In order to maintain operational readiness around the world and to protect the force, the U.S. Army will raise the Health Protection Condition level to Charlie across all installations to align with the National Capital Region. Additionally, extra measures are being implemented to protect immediate contingency response forces to prevent exposure to COVID-19 should they need to deploy. These actions will ensure the Army’s ability to quickly deploy contingency response forces across the globe. The Army is increasing all installations to HPCON level Charlie. Installations will limit all access to essential personnel only and will limit the numbers of access points.
*Read More: https://www.army.mil/article/233962/u_s_army_raises_health_protection_across_all_installations

NEW LEADER IS A FAMILIAR FACE FOR C3T
Brig. Gen. Rob Collins will be the new head of the Army’s Program Executive Office – Command, Control and Communications (Tactical), the chief of staff of the Army announced March 25. Collins will replace Maj. Gen. David Bassett, who took the job in January 2018. The transition “will not take place for several months," PEO C3T tweeted. Collins is a familiar face to those at Aberdeen Proving Ground as he has served as the program executive officer for intelligence, electronic warfare and sensors since May 2019. Collins has also served as project manager for the Army’s Distributed Common Ground System.
*Read More: https://www.c4isrnet.com/c2-comms/2020/03/25/new-leader-named-for-army-peo-c3t/

TOP ARMY LEADERS ARE SCRAMBLING TO STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 AFTER MITIGATION PROVES 'INSUFFICIENT,' DOCUMENTS REVEAL
Short by more than $891 million to combat the coronavirus outbreak threatening the U.S. public health system, senior leaders of the U.S. Army are locked in debate over whether they should continue military exercises and mass troop formations despite its own intelligence estimates which indicate that efforts to stop the rapidly-spreading disease have failed. On Monday afternoon Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy and Gen. James C. McConville, the Army’s top-ranking officer, joined other military generals and enlisted soldiers of various stars and chevrons to receive an update on the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, via secure video teleconference. The meeting came a day after the Pentagon announced its first death from coronavirus complications.
*Read More: https://taskandpurpose.com/news/army-covid-19-drastic-measures

►► FEDERAL

SOME TOP GENERALS MAY STAY LONGER IN THEIR JOBS AMID NATIONAL EMERGENCY
Some top generals may be able to serve in their posts beyond their planned retirements or duty assignments to maintain service stability as the U.S. military continues to respond to the novel coronavirus outbreak. As part of a proposed sweeping relief package to respond to the pandemic, lawmakers have given President Donald Trump the authority to keep top brass in their roles longer, according to the bill's language. That would include Air Force Gen. Joseph Lengyel, head of the National Guard Bureau, and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein, both of whom were slated to retire in coming months.
*Read More: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/03/25/some-top-generals-may-stay-longer-their-jobs-amid-national-emergency.html

ESPER SHUTS DOWN U.S. TROOP MOVEMENTS AMID CORONAVIRUS SPREAD
Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Wednesday he would cease any major movements of U.S. forces around the globe – the most dramatic step the Pentagon has yet taken to address the growing concern of the coronavirus pandemic. In an interview with Reuters, Esper said the order applied to all active duty service members, as well as civilian employees and their families. Among the few exceptions will be troops withdrawing from Afghanistan as part of a peace deal the U.S. signed with the Taliban earlier this year.
*Read More: https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2020-03-25/defense-secretary-esper-shuts-down-us-military-movements-amid-coronavirus-spread

U.S. NAVY STRENGTHENS SUPPLY CHAIN DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
COVID-19 is affecting operations and supply chains around the world. For the Navy and Marine Corps, the virus presents a critical and unknown risk to readiness. Since the beginning of this crisis, NAVSUP, or Naval Supply Systems Command, has been proactively working with the commercial supply base to assess and mitigate risks to ensure uninterrupted service and parts flow to the fleet. NAVSUP’s response has been strengthened by ongoing enterprise-wide Reform efforts. Over the past two years, NAVSUP has reviewed and modified the processes used to manage the supply base in order to drive greater efficiency and insight.
*Read More: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/365862/us-navy-strengthens-supply-chain-during-covid-19-pandemic-lynn-kohl

HOW TO PROTECT SENSITIVE MILITARY INFORMATION IN THE AGE OF COVID-19 TELEWORKING
As more and more military installations around the country move towards telework to help stop the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a growing concern about operational security. During a force-wide town hall meeting Tuesday morning, Defense Secretary Mark Esper urged personnel to use proper cybersecurity hygiene, and be wary of emails from unknown origin that might include phishing or malware attempts.
*Read More: https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2020/03/24/how-to-protect-sensitive-military-information-in-the-age-of-covid-19-teleworking/

►► WORKFORCE

WHAT THE $2T CORONAVIRUS STIMULUS MEANS FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES, RETIREES AND CONTRACTORS
Congress is on track to pass a $2 trillion stimulus and emergency appropriations package later this week, part of a sweeping effort by the federal government to respond to the economic and health impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. The massive bill, which the Senate passed in the early Thursday morning with a 96-0 vote, has two parts. Part A covers an expansion of unemployment benefits and federal business loans and authorizes $1,200 “recovery” checks to most Americans under a certain salary threshold.
*Read More: https://federalnewsnetwork.com/legislation/2020/03/what-the-2t-coronavirus-stimulus-means-for-federal-employees-retirees-and-contractors/

TEAM COVERAGE: COVID-19 AND THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE
$2T Senate rescue bill passes with some workforce protections, but absent measures sought by the House. The $2 trillion pandemic rescue bill does not include a rollback of three years of Trump administration federal workforce policy included in a bill formulated by House Democrats.
*Read More: https://fcw.com/articles/2020/03/11/covid19landingpage.aspx

FEDERAL WORKERS, DEMS PUSH FOR HAZARD PAY IN NEXT CORONAVIRUS LEGISLATION
Federal workers and Democratic lawmakers vowed to continue to fight to secure hazardous pay incentives for employees whose work could expose them to the coronavirus, despite the fact that the Senate declined to include the measure in the $2 trillion stimulus package passed Wednesday night. After public urging from multiple federal employee unions, House leaders included a provision in their own version of the stimulus bill that would make federal workers who directly treat individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 or those with “frequent, unavoidable contact” with the public, like Transportation Security Administration screeners and some Customs and Border Protection employees, eligible for hazard pay. 
*Read More: https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2020/03/federal-workers-dems-push-hazard-pay-next-coronavirus-legislation/164148/

HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR EMPLOYEES DURING THE CORONAVIRUS
It’s no secret planning and responding to the coronavirus pandemic has been a haphazard, chaotic and confusing exercise for some federal agencies. But for Voice of America, the last few weeks of planning for the unknown — and then the reality — have revealed a silver lining. The agency and its employees have quickly become a more technologically-savvy and agile organization, as VOA quickly stood up telework capabilities for a diverse group of journalists, broadcasters, and other employees.
*Read More: https://federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce/2020/03/how-to-communicate-with-your-employees-during-the-coronavirus/

►► INDUSTRY

PENTAGON LOOSENS CASH FLOW FOR INDUSTRY, MORE MEASURES LIKELY COMING
The Pentagon has opened up cash flow for the defense industry, the latest in a series of moves from the department to combat economic damage brought about by the new coronavirus pandemic. In a memo released Sunday, the department announced that progress payment rates for defense items under contract will increase from 80 percent of cost to 90 percent for large businesses, and from 90 percent to 95 percent for small businesses. The move will allow industry to receive more cash up front than under normal circumstances.
*Read More: https://www.defensenews.com/coronavirus/2020/03/23/pentagon-loosens-cash-flow-for-industry-more-measures-likely-coming/

CORONAVIRUS, DEFENSE INDUSTRY COLLIDE; SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS; TRADE SHOWS CANCELED AND MORE 
Two worlds are colliding in my inbox — much like the dichotomy of alerts on my mobile phone these days. There is, of course, the steady stream of coronavirus-related messages on email and Twitter. At the same time, there are business-as-usual messages: “Defense Company X reaches a milestone on [insert program here]”. Or “Summer savings end tonight. Flights from $39” — gonna pass on that right now. On the cell phone, coronavirus is splitting time with NFL free agency signings and MLB season projections.
*Read More: https://www.defenseone.com/business/2020/03/global-business-brief-march-26-2020/164150/

DEFENSE INDUSTRY TO DOD: IF WE SEND WORKERS HOME, WILL YOU PENALIZE US?
Execs want clarity on Pentagon guidance that suggests they must choose between sending employees to factories or defaulting on contracts. Defense industry executives are being forced to choose between risking employees’ health by sending them into factories amid the coronavirus outbreak, or missing the delivery deadlines in their Pentagon contracts. Initially, many contractors welcomed the federal government’s March 20 declaration that the defense industrial base is a critical part of America’s infrastructure, and that a good portion of its employees would be “expected to maintain their normal work schedule.” 
*Read More: https://www.defenseone.com/business/2020/03/defense-companies-want-more-direction-relief-pentagon-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/164077/

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