Digital Government

Trump’s first White House debated the role of USDS. What will Trump 2.0 do?

The Office of Management and Budget led an effort to assess USDS — even whether it should exist — during the twilight days of the Trump administration. With another Trump White House incoming, the question of what’s next for the government’s digital SWAT team looms.

People

USDS looks for new deputy to lead as Trump administration approaches 

Mina Hsiang, current administrator of the U.S. Digital Service, is expected to leave before the Trump administration takes the helm.

People

Cori Zarek exits USDS

The deputy administrator of the U.S. Digital Service has left for a new job at Apolitical.

Digital Government

What it will take to make Direct File permanent

The IRS will have to grapple with expanding access and capabilities — while also convincing skeptical lawmakers to maintain funding.

Digital Government

TMF, USDS hit with cuts in 2024 funding bill

The Technology Modernization Fund alone is slated for a $100 million clawback of American Rescue Plan Act funding under the appropriations package released Thursday.

People

Uncle Sam wants you to help train government HR to hire tech talent

Several agencies are hosting a challenge with prize money meant to spur innovation in how the government hires techies.

People

The White House’s tech team, 10 years after HealthCare.gov

Mina Hsiang, the administrator of the U.S. Digital Service, was on the team that saved the flawed website supporting Affordable Care Act enrollment 10 years ago. Now, she leads the tech team born from that crisis.

People

OPM issues guidance on implementing Trump-era hiring policy

The U.S. Digital Service has also been embedding in agencies to help build internal competency-based hiring abilities in federal agencies.

Digital Government

USPS, USDS collaborate on new COVID-19 test website

The United States Postal Service and United States Digital Service have been working on a new website for Americans to order free, at-home rapid COVID-19 tests. The administration is confident it won't crash in meeting massive demand.

Modernization

The struggle to modernize state UI systems

The Labor Department and the U.S. Digital Service are taking a central role in efforts to develop modernized, modular UI technology for states.

Modernization

Federal CIO tees up 7 new TMF awards

The awards, the first since TMF's $1 billion plus-up in the American Rescue Plan Act, are expected to be made public soon.

Digital Government

White House names Mina Hsiang to lead USDS

Mina Hsiang is the first woman and first Asian-American to lead the innovation shop. She was part of the U.S. Digital Service when it was launched after the troubled Healthcare.gov rollout.

People

A career fed does a stint at USDS

Steve Kelman checks in with procurement innovator and past Fed 100 winner Mark Junda on his latest chapter.

People

Biden signs Rescue bill, boosting TMF and adding pandemic leave for feds

The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law on Thursday. In addition to a massive influx of funding to support Americans harmed by the economic fallout of the pandemic, there is funding available for IT modernization and provision to help the federal workforce cope with COVID-19.

Cybersecurity

House passes Rescue package with TMF funding

The $1.9 trillion bill is aimed at Americans suffering financial hardships from the pandemic, but in the federal IT community, the bill will be remembered for the dramatic expansion of the Technology Modernization Fund.

People

Martorana to take over as federal CIO

The OPM tech chief is moving to the White House to lead civilian federal IT policy.

Digital Government

Two tech titans take on 18F and USDS

Steve Kelman hits a nerve regarding the civic tech crowd, and asks if the criticism is warranted.

People

Can better data improve federal hiring?

Alternative hiring assessments show promise for improving the yield of successful applicants from federal job postings.

Digital Government

Biden charts governmentwide 'equity agenda'

The OMB director and the head of the Domestic Policy Council will play key roles in implementing the objectives of a new executive order, which eliminates a Trump-era purge of diversity training materials and include the creation of a new data working group .