People

Lankford looks to cut debate time for political nominations

With hundreds of key vacancies throughout the government, one GOP senator is looking to cut debate time for nominees requiring Senate approval.

Acquisition

White House leans on private sector for modernization

As agencies prepare to tackle the administration's IT priorities, the White House is looking to unite federal and private-sector efforts to modernize government systems.

Modernization

Lawmakers set oversight agenda for IT modernization

Leaders on the House Oversight Committee offered a first look at plans for oversight of MGT Act implementation.

People

Are agencies doing all they can to attract talent?

Agencies may be underutilizing creative payment structures and incentives that could help them attract and retain employees, according to a GAO report.

People

Trump's DDM pick pushes IT modernization

President Trump’s nominee to serve as the Office of Management and Budget's deputy director for management highlighted IT modernization, data accountability and transparency and workforce management as her three priority areas throughout her cordial confirmation hearing.

Modernization

The MGT Act is law. Now what?

Congressional appropriators still must allocate the money for agencies to use the central fund MGT creates. And if they do, how can agencies take advantage of the newly created modernization funds?

Cybersecurity

Agencies link reorgs with employee engagement

While workforce reduction and civilian agency budget cuts seemingly run counter to improving workforce morale, human resources officials are looking to tie agency reorg plans to employee engagement.

Digital Government

Can government kick bots out of the comments?

Providing feedback on proposed federal rule changes is so easy that bots can do it.

People

Senate bill looks to boost FCC CIO authorities

A bipartisan pair of senators is looking to bolster the Federal Communications Commission CIO’s governance authorities over tech-related decisions.

People

What does the future of the SES look like?

Members of the Senior Executive Service wonder what needs to be done to create a pipeline of future leaders.

Digital Government

AT&T to join Census mobile device efforts

The Commerce Dept. says a successful contract award protest is moot after AT&T agreed to join CDW-G on the Census mobile device-as-a-service contract as a subcontractor.

Cybersecurity

Federal happiness still on the rise, survey says

Most federal agencies improved their employee happiness scores for the third consecutive year, but the need for more effective leadership continues to hold back greater improvement.

People

Bipartisan House group asks Trump to bump federal pay

A dozen members of Congress from both sides of the aisle are pressing the president to align proposed federal pay increases for military and civilian employees.

Digital Government

Hill hackathon tackles transparency, efficiency

The Congressional Hackathon included pitches from tech groups to improve citizens' access to government, including the House Clerk's Office's plans to begin redlining and markup history of legislation by Jan. 1.

People

Minority representation in tech still lags

Better federal data could help track efforts at increasing the percentage of women and minority in tech jobs, especially regarding compliance with equal opportunity laws by federal contractors, a report found.

Digital Government

Open data tools promote Census awareness

Tech groups from nonprofits, companies, federal agencies and universities from across the country unveiled various digital tools based on federal data.

Digital Government

Lankford cites almost a half-trillion in government waste

A Republican senator's annual government waste report cites IT boondoggles, programs with insufficient oversight and structural impediments to efficient hiring.

Modernization

How does civil service efficiency square with agency reorgs?

While shared services and other tech can help streamline government, federal workforce experts are skeptical about whether budget cuts can spur productivity.

Modernization

What's behind agency FITARA scores?

Agencies shared the stories behind improved, declining and stable FITARA grades.

Digital Government

IGs seek more access, authority, resources

A panel of inspectors general are seeking greater access, subpoena power and more resources to hire staff and increase transparency and oversight work across the government.