# Federal Agencies Revise Workforce and Procurement Rules

The Office of Personnel Management formalized agencies’ authority to place employees on paid administrative leave during workforce-reduction efforts and reduction-in-force notice periods. A separate settlement requires three agencies to rescind shutdown-related RIF notices and reinstate affected employees with back pay. The same federal update identifies several procurement developments: another Army Strategic Capital Initiative RFI round is expected, agencies are being directed to remove barriers to American seafood processors competing for federal food contracts, the Army has a live software review platform for vendors, and a draft NIST cybersecurity handbook is open for comment through December 4, 2026.

- Contractors should account for agency workforce changes in transition and delivery planning; OPM’s online guidance is also expected to be updated.
- Infrastructure firms and potential co-investors can prepare for the next Army Strategic Capital Initiative RFI; the program is planned to expand over the next three to five years.
- Seafood processors can assess federal food procurement opportunities as agencies identify and remove barriers to their participation. Army software vendors can use the Army’s live review platform.
- Cybersecurity providers and other affected stakeholders can review and submit comments on the NIST draft by **December 4, 2026** (38 days from the current date).

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Information Technology
**Topics:** Cybersecurity, Grants & Funding, Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** October 27, 2026

### Government Entities
- Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
- U.S. Army (Army)
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

### Sources
- [
        Details emerge on revisions to paid administrative leave regulations - Federal News Network](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/federal-newscast/2026/10/details-emerge-on-revisions-to-paid-administrative-leave-regulations) - Federal News Network
- [
        Details emerge on revisions to paid administrative leave regulations - Federal News Network](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/podcast/federal-newscast-podcast/details-emerge-on-revisions-to-paid-administrative-leave-regulations) - Federal News Network