Author Archive
Acquisition
Software industry group offers FedRAMP wishlist to OMB, GSA
The recently-passed FedRAMP Authorization Act should be a starting point for the government to remake the certification program in a way that lowers the barrier of entry for cloud solutions, the Alliance for Digital Innovation said in a new letter to OMB and GSA.
Defense
GAO: DOD needs better guidance, resources for contested information environment training
The government watchdog said that while defense officials have emphasized decision-based training for combatting disinformation, its guidance isn't clear about how military leaders are supposed to approach the curriculum.
Congress
Foster still has his eye on digital identity bill in the new Congress
A digital identity verification proposal from Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.) didn’t escape the last Congress, but the legislator says that he intends to reintroduce the bill, which would have implications for how the government verifies citizens online.
Acquisition
GSA wants nominations for its new FedRAMP committee
The new Federal Security Cloud Advisory Committee, mandated by the FedRAMP authorization bill passed late last year, will offer recommendations on the cloud security assessment program.
Congress
GAO pegs unemployment insurance fraud tally at more than $60 billion
At the same time, the congressional watchdog cautioned that governmentwide fraud estimates are potentially dicey.
Digital Government
'Taxpayer Advocate' pushes for IRS to make its own free, direct e-file system
A new report calls the current e-file program, a collaboration between private tax prep companies and the IRS, greatly underutilized and advises the agency to develop a new system.
IT Modernization
New HHS data strategy is coming in 'weeks,' CIO says
Data sharing within HHS and beyond the department are still sore spots, but the hope is that a new data strategy could help.
Workforce
OPM pushes to rebrand government and capitalize on tech layoffs
The Office of Personnel Management is co-hosting a tech job fair on Wednesday. It’s one example of ongoing efforts to rebrand the government as an employer.
Workforce
Feds mull changes to cannabis questions on vetting forms
A plan to modernize intake forms for candidates for government service could include revisions to the type of questions asked about marijuana use.
Digital Government
New funding flexibility could help extend the reach of the Federal Citizen Services Fund
The new pass-the-hat style funding tool could be tapped to fund cross-agency work.
Digital Government
What's the state of AI accountability in government?
A new report recommends that the federal CIO Council set up a group to work through what exactly AI accountability is and how to achieve it.
Congress
Gallagher wants to ban TikTok, but says U.S. ownership could be a 'workable solution'
Congress passed a law to ban the popular app on federal government devices as part of the omnibus funding bill. It doesn't look like lawmakers' concerns about national security and TikTok are waning.
People
Exit interview: What the Labor Department's unemployment insurance guru thinks about the state of the system
Is the system ready for the next recession? The Labor Department’s former deputy director for policy at the Office of Unemployment Modernization says it isn’t. She explains why, and talks through problems around fraud, equity and more.
Congress
Portman introduces two bills on facial recognition, AI in government
The fate of the bills in a lame duck session of Congress is uncertain, but a Portman aide says the outgoing senator wants to be active on the subjects even after retiring.
Digital Government
Agencies are lagging in implementing constituent services law, GAO says
Identity proofing and authentication remains a stumbling block for many agencies to implement a 2019 law meant to help congressional offices to interact with federal agencies on behalf of their constituents, according to a new Government Accountability Office report.
Congress
Omnibus spending bill includes a ban of TikTok on government devices
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) told FCW on Monday that Congress might have more work to do regarding national security implications of popular video-sharing app TikTok in the next session of Congress.
IT Modernization
GSA announces $14.6 million in CX-focused TMF awards
TMF announced awards for the U.S. Agency for International Development and U.S. Railroad Retirement Board on Monday.
Digital Government
NIST unveils draft update of identity proofing tech guidance
The science and technology standards agency debuted new guidelines for its policy on identity verification technology, including the testing requirements for facial recognition applications and draft policies for other tools.
Digital Government
What work has the Chief Data Officer Council done so far?
Among the agency work that GAO ties back to work from the council is a forthcoming HR data dashboard from the Office of Personnel Management.
Digital Government