Agencies Still Feeling Pinch, Though

Agencies took a number of cost-saving steps due to sequestration other than clamping down on awards, and many of them remain in place—for example, general hiring freezes and restrictions on training, travel, equipment purchases, maintenance and other overhead expenses. GSA recently reported that spending on travel reimbursed through its SmartPay program fell nearly a fifth in fiscal 2013 and the data so far this fiscal year show a further drop. Also, EPA, SSA and the Broadcasting Board of Governors have announced early retirement opportunities—although each has certain eligibility limits. However, the Justice Department and its component FBI have meanwhile have said they will now hire into certain positions, although apparently not all of them, left vacant by prior hiring restrictions. A fuller picture of agency intentions could emerge when the White House budget proposal is released March 4; that document outlines plans for employment levels and other workplace policies for the upcoming fiscal year.