Analytics/Evaluation
OMB: Evidence Act guidance in ‘very last stages’ of clearance process
Jory Heckman, Federal News Network
In order for agencies to get a better understanding of what’s expected from them under the Evidence Act, OMB soon expects to release guidance.
Updated Federal Data Strategy and Draft Action Plan Coming Soon
Aaron Boyd, Nextgov
The final action plan is set to be released in August, with deliverables for agencies to meet within one year.
The U.S. military is trying to figure out how to talk about data
Billy Mitchell, FedScoop
Leaders think the adoption of AI, among other things, will help services learn to talk about and embrace data.

Innovation
Government improvement challenge to look for many solutions in one
Jessie Bur, Federal Times
The federal government is offering the private sector the opportunity to influence which projects its upcoming Government Effectiveness Advanced Research Center will address and offering cash prizes to do so.
SBA hackathon developers leverage AI, agency data sets for disaster recovery tools
Jory Heckman, Federal News Network
As part of Small Business Week, SBA held its second annual hackathon, which gave developers an opportunity to leverage government data and build tools to speed up disaster recovery.

Leadership
OPM Streamlines Process for Agencies to Request New Executives
Erich Wagner, Government Executive
New process focuses on establishing agencies’ needs, rather than analyzing individual positions.

Reorganization
OPM Chief to Propose Legislation for Merger With GSA By Week’s End
Erich Wagner, Government Executive
The acting OPM Director will be submitting proposed legislation to Congress authorizing the merger.
What if Congress doesn’t want to move OPM?
Adam Mazmanian, Federal Computer Week
If Congress doesn’t go along with a plan to reorganize OPM the agency still plans to push ahead administratively through outsourcing.
‘Greatest risk we have is doing nothing:’ Trump administration details case for OPM reorg
Nicole Ogyrsko, Federal News Network
The administration has announced more details behind its proposed reorganization of OPM, a week before the plan is scheduled to receive more intense congressional scrutiny.