Federal Times

Federal Times
Name	Federal Times
Type	Magazine
Format	Print and digital
Founded	1965
Founder	Arthur D. Little (publication origins)
Owner	GovExec (formerly) / Growth (see Ownership and Management)
Headquarters	Falls Church, Virginia
Language	English
ISSN	0014-7211

Federal Times

Federal Times is an American periodical focused on reporting about public sector administration for civilian employees of the United States federal civil service. It provides journalism on personnel policy, procurement, information technology, facilities management, and leadership for workers within agencies such as the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services, and Department of Justice. The magazine situates coverage in the context of federal statutes like the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, executive actions from the Executive Office of the President, and oversight by committees such as the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

History

Founded in the mid-20th century during an era of expansion in public administration publishing, the magazine emerged alongside periodicals such as Government Executive, National Journal, Federal Computer Week, and Roll Call. Early coverage intersected with landmark events including the implementation of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 and administrative shifts during the Reagan administration and the Clinton administration. Over decades the publication chronicled technological transitions from mainframe procurement issues highlighted during the Watergate scandal aftermath to modern discussions around cybersecurity following incidents linked to Office of Personnel Management breaches and legislative responses in the Homeland Security Act of 2002.

Its editorial pages have noted the influences of inspectors general reports by offices such as the Office of Inspector General (Department of Defense) and decisions from appellate bodies including the Merit Systems Protection Board and the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Coverage has reflected workforce trends tied to policies like the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010 and strategic reviews prompted by presidential directives such as Executive Order 13837.

Ownership and Management

Over time the publication passed through several media groups and management structures similar to transactions seen at Gannett Co., Bloomberg L.P., and specialized government affairs publishers. Corporate owners and investment entities involved in trade and business-to-government media have overseen editorial direction, advertising strategy, and circulation. Executive leadership often comprised editors with experience at outlets like The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and trade titles such as Defense News and Nextgov.

Management decisions frequently aligned with industry consolidation patterns that affected magazines like Government Executive and online platforms such as FedScoop. Boards and publisher offices coordinated with associations including the American Society for Public Administration and procurement stakeholders such as the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to shape sponsored content, conferences, and briefings.

Content and Coverage

The magazine's reporting centers on operational and policy issues affecting civilian federal employees, including labor matters under statutes like the Fair Labor Standards Act as applied within agencies such as the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service. It features analysis of technology initiatives involving contractors such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and Lockheed Martin, and profiles executives who have led transformations at organizations including the General Services Administration and the Office of Management and Budget.

Regular sections address workforce development, leadership strategies practiced at institutions like the Brookings Institution and the Heritage Foundation, and ethics concerns informed by rulings from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics. Investigative pieces have intersected with revelations involving procurement scandals, whistleblower complaints processed through the Office of Special Counsel, and congressional oversight hearings held before committees such as the House Committee on Appropriations.

Audience and Circulation

The target audience comprises mid- to senior-level managers, human resources professionals, acquisition specialists, and information technology officials within federal civilian agencies including Environmental Protection Agency, National Institutes of Health, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Readership overlaps with subscribers to professional associations such as the American Federation of Government Employees and audiences for events run by organizations like the Professional Services Council.

Circulation models combine controlled distribution to agency offices, bulk subscriptions for program offices, and paid subscriptions similar to patterns seen at trade magazines such as Aviation Week and The Economist (US edition). Advertisers often include firms offering services to agencies—systems integrators, benefits providers, and security vendors—many of which exhibit procurement relationships with Defense Logistics Agency and civilian acquisition offices.

Digital Presence and Multimedia

The publication expanded into digital formats echoing shifts by contemporaries like Politico and The Hill, offering a website with daily news, newsletters, and searchable archives. Multimedia efforts include webinars, podcasts, video interviews with officials from entities such as the Office of Personnel Management and the Chief Human Capital Officers Council, and virtual roundtables featuring leaders from NASA and the Department of Energy. Integration with social platforms and syndication to feed services aligns with distribution strategies used by outlets like Reuters and AP News.

Awards and Recognition

Journalists associated with the magazine have been acknowledged by organizations such as the Society of Professional Journalists, the National Press Club, and the Public Relations Society of America for reporting on public sector issues. Coverage that influenced congressional inquiries or administrative reforms has been cited in hearings before bodies including the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. Special reports have been finalists or recipients of awards related to investigative journalism, editorial excellence, and digital innovation comparable to honors given by the Online Journalism Awards and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation.

Category:American magazines