Author Archive
Natalie Alms
Staff Reporter, Nextgov/FCW
Natalie Alms is a staff reporter at Nextgov/FCW covering federal technology policy, service delivery, customer experience and the government's tech workforce. She is a graduate of Wake Forest University and has written for the Salisbury (N.C.) Post. Connect with Natalie on Twitter at @AlmsNatalie.
Digital Government
Biden seeks more than $500M for CX in 2025 budget
New digital service teams and a focus on the "voice of the customer" are among the customer experience funding requests in the FY2025 budget request.
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
Tech questions at the border
Critics say the Customs and Border Protection app CBP One is glitchy and unfair to migrants.
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
IRS touts launch of Direct File pilot
The pilot, which allows eligible taxpayers to file directly with the IRS for free, marks a new free option from the IRS, which has for decades relied on private companies to field free options for Americans.
- By Natalie Alms
Artificial Intelligence
Civil Rights commission digs into government use of facial recognition
The tech poses “serious threats to our fundamental rights,” the chair of the commission said during a Friday briefing.
- By Natalie Alms
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers try again with FISMA reform
The House Oversight and Accountability Committee passed a FISMA modernization proposal on to the full floor on Thursday.
- By Natalie Alms
Artificial Intelligence
House Oversight leaders introduce government AI transparency bill
This isn’t the first proposal that would require agencies to notify individuals when government decisions are influenced by AI.
- By Natalie Alms
Exclusive
Digital Government
White House stalls on digital identity mandate, despite billions in fraud
President Biden previewed an executive order in his 2022 State of the Union meant to address identity theft and fraud in public benefit programs. As Biden gears up for his 2024 address, the order still hasn’t been released.
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
Lawmaker proposes strict transparency regime for GSA’s tech service
The new legislation comes in response to an ongoing House Oversight and Accountability Committee investigation into what Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, described as an “unaccountable organization.”
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
IRS Direct File to be fully available March 12
The tool is a new way for eligible taxpayers to file directly with the IRS online for free.
- By Natalie Alms
People
SSA taps White House tech official for CIO post
Marcela Escobar-Alava will be starting as the CIO of the Social Security Administration on Monday.
- By Natalie Alms
Artificial Intelligence
Using AI to fight fraud is paying off, Treasury says
The tech has helped recover over $375 million since Treasury began using it over a year ago.
- By Natalie Alms
Featured eBooks
Artificial Intelligence
OPM gives agencies an AI hiring playbook
The latest workforce guidance from the Office of Personnel Management covers the existing pay, leave and workforce flexibilities agencies can use to attract and keep AI talent.
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
USDA's equity commission urges 'sweeping and generational change'
The independent commission’s report also included some to-do items for lawmakers.
- By Natalie Alms
People
Top Pentagon IT official departs deputy CIO role
Lily Zeleke will be taking over “new responsibilities” at the agency, though it’s still unknown what her new position is.
- By Natalie Alms and David DiMolfetta
Digital Government
IRS opens up Direct File to the public
Interested taxpayers will have to watch the IRS website to see when the tool is open for new users.
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
USDA seeks fellows for its new digital service team
The tour-of-duty positions will “act as firefighters” to address pressing challenges across the Department of Agriculture, according to the agency’s CIO.
- By Natalie Alms
Artificial Intelligence
OPM pushes ahead on AI workforce policy, but key deliverables are overdue
The agency announced a job analysis survey on Monday for feds doing AI-related work, but the federal HR shop is lagging on AI in Government Act of 2020 implementation.
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
White House launches federal spending inventory
The new online information service was mandated in 2010 legislation.
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
Labor Department experiments with AI in unemployment systems
The agency plans to use the current “calm” in unemployment claims to better prepare for the next storm.
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
Senators look to harden the unemployment system for the next crisis
The White House-backed framework for forthcoming unemployment insurance legislation will retool the way states go after fraud and allows for for oversight of federal investments in UI systems and technology.
- By Natalie Alms