
Odd Lots Scott Kupor's New Plan to Bring Tech Workers Into the Federal Government
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Dec 25, 2025 Scott Kupor, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and former partner at Andreessen Horowitz, discusses his mission to inject tech talent into the federal government. He introduces the US Tech Force, aimed at recruiting top engineers and AI experts for two-year stints. Kupor reveals challenges in attracting tech workers, emphasizing culture over compensation. He proposes merit-based hiring, abandoning degree requirements, and revolutionizing performance evaluations, all while addressing bureaucracy to streamline operations and enhance government modernization.
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Use Technical Assessments Upfront
- Reintroduce validated skills assessments (coding tests) rather than relying on self-attestation.
- Use industry-standard technical tests to level and grade applicants before interviews.
Performance Ratings Are Inflated
- Federal performance ratings are heavily inflated with most employees receiving top scores.
- OPM plans forced distributions and manager training to create real differentiation and accountability.
Teach Managers To Manage
- Train supervisors in frequent one-on-one management and performance conversations.
- Make managers responsible for ongoing feedback and development, not just annual reviews.




