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The document is an Executive Order by the President of the United States, aiming to protect the federal workforce and ensure government services continue during the COVID-19 pandemic by mandating mask-wearing and following CDC guidelines. It requires federal employees, contractors, and visitors in federal buildings and on federal lands to wear masks and maintain physical distancing. The order also establishes the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force to provide guidance on federal operations during the pandemic and outlines a plan for testing federal employees. Additionally, it encourages cooperation with state and community leaders to promote public health measures.

The General Services Administration (GSA) has finalized a rule that changes how relocation miscellaneous expenses allowances (MEA) are handled for federal employees. Previously, the lump sum amounts were listed in the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR); now, they will be published in FTR Bulletins, making it easier to update the amounts based on the Consumer Price Index. This change aims to provide more flexibility and accurate compensation for employees, but it may lead to a small increase in costs for the federal government. The rule also clarifies which expenses may or may not be reimbursed under MEA and ensures that the rules are easy to follow.

The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB) has finalized a rule that allows the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) record keeper to calculate gains and losses on small contributions and loan payments, even if they are less than $1.00. This change updates a previous rule that did not account for these small amounts due to past limitations, which are now considered obsolete. The rule affects federal employees and members of the uniformed services involved in the TSP and ensures accurate financial records for all contributions, regardless of size. No significant economic impact on small entities is expected, and no additional reporting requirements are introduced.

The General Services Administration (GSA) is proposing a new form, GSA Form 5015, to streamline the process of applying for student loan repayment benefits for federal employees. This form aims to simplify the collection of necessary information and reduce administrative burden, as the current method is cumbersome and time-consuming. The agency is seeking public feedback on this proposal to ensure it effectively saves time and enhances clarity. Public comments are requested to determine if this new form will be beneficial, and they have until March 10, 2025, to submit feedback.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), part of the Department of Justice, is planning to submit an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. This collection involves the Leadership Engagement Survey, which is administered annually to federal government employees, contractors, and task force officers working at the DEA. The survey is voluntary and takes about 20 minutes to complete, with an expected response count of around 5,000 people. The DEA is seeking authorization to conduct this survey for three years, which will not incur additional costs since it operates on an existing internal platform.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is requesting public comments as part of its submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) concerning the Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees Handbook 391. This request is related to collecting information from state workforce agencies to process unemployment claims for federal employees. The DOL aims to obtain authorization to collect this information for three years, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. Public comments are invited on the necessity, accuracy, and clarity of the data collection and ways to reduce the burden on respondents.

The Justice Management Division of the Department of Justice has announced the availability of its FY 2023 Service Contracts Inventory and Inventory Supplement. This inventory includes details of service contracts over $25,000 awarded during the fiscal year and provides insights into the money spent and labor hours worked on these contracts. The information is used to assess whether the Department is utilizing contract labor effectively and maintaining a suitable balance between federal employees and contractors. Sensitive or proprietary contractor information is not included in the inventory.

The Executive Order 14174 revokes two previous orders related to COVID-19 safety measures for federal contractors and vaccination requirements for federal employees. The order clarifies that it does not change the existing authority of government agencies or affect the responsibilities of the Office of Management and Budget concerning budget and legislative proposals. It also states that the order should be implemented according to existing laws and budgets, and it does not create any new legal rights for any party.