Welcome to the FS Policy Report! Our goal is to provide weekly updates on Agency policy actions, including directives and regulations.

Recently issued directives:

1.  FSM 6680 Chapter 85: Cybersecurity of Information, Information Systems, & Information Technology (11/22/2021)

FSM 6680 Chapter 85: Cybersecurity of Information, Information Systems, & Information Technology

Renames chapter title from “Security of information, Information Systems, and Information Technology” to “Cybersecurity of Information, Information Systems, and Information Technology,” and sets forth direction. Changes the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Cybersecurity Incident Response Team (CIRT) to USDA, Cybersecurity Incident Response and Recovery Branch (CIRRB); throughout chapter; removes the term Information System Security Program Manager (ISSPM), Information Security Program Plan (ISPP) and CIRT; changes the Staff name from Acquisition Management (AQM) to Procurement and Property Services (PPS); and removes Grants and Agreements staff from PPS staff. More significant changes are listed within the digest.

2.  FSH 6109.11 Chapter 20: Hours of Duty (Work Schedule) (11/22/2021)

FSH 6109.11 Chapter 20: Hours of Duty (Work Schedule)

Change includes the addition of Exhibit 1 – Under Maxiflex, 1. Basic Work Requirement and 3. Flexibility, changes from “see variable day schedule” to “see variable week schedule.”

3.  FSM 1340: Management Improvement Administration (11/23/2021)

FSM 1340: Management Improvement Administration

Removes the Employee Suggestion Program in its entirety as it is no longer applicable and reserves the section.  Section 1343 refers to FSH 6109.41 which has been retired.  Additional changes have been listed within the digest.

Directives published for public comment: 
No new directives were published for public comment from the period of 11/22/2021 to 11/28/2021.

Regulatory actions: 
No new regulatory actions were published from the period of 11/22/2021 to 11/28/2021.

Announcements: 
There are no new announcements regarding upcoming events, but please continue to check this report weekly as new updates may be included in the future.

If you have questions or recommendations for Policy Report content that would be valuable to you and your colleagues, please contact Miranda Galadima (Miranda.galadima@usda.gov).