Author Archive

Natalie Alms

Staff Reporter, Nextgov/FCW

Natalie Alms
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. If you have a tip you'd like to share, Natalie can be securely contacted at nalms.41 on Signal.
Modernization

IRS is evaluating its tech investments and modernization

The agency has been trying to update a tax processing system that uses an outdated programming code for over a decade.

Exclusive Modernization

SSA weighs axing payments to 170,000 beneficiaries

The move to cease making payments to people without Social Security numbers would imperil the benefits of thousands of immigrants’ children with disabilities.

Breaking News People

DHS taps Antoine McCord for top tech post

McCord is a former Marine and is excited about the use of AI in the agency, people familiar say.

Updated Digital Government

Shrinking tech team endangers a nationwide disease tracking system at CDC

The CDC was in the middle of updating a public health surveillance system when the Trump administration started shedding workers. What happens next could exemplify the impact to key government programs and systems when tech teams are cut.

People

Lawsuit outlines how DOGE pushed for access to Social Security systems and data

Democracy Forward and unions are asking courts to block DOGE’s access to the troves of personal data held at the agency.

People

GSA continues slow drip of RIFs, nearly wiping out entire offices

More cuts are coming. Staff in the Technology Transformation Services were told Thursday that their team will be cut by 50%.

Digital Government

GSA preps code for shutdown of text service for government benefits

Though the agency did not confirm whether a Notify.gov shutdown was in the works, the agency’s Github repository shows code for an “end of life” banner for the service.

Digital Government

Login.gov is key to administration anti-fraud efforts, GSA official says

Early in the administration, some in Trump’s orbit had called for the single-sign on and identity proofing service to be gutted. 

People

GSA eliminates 18F

The latest workforce action at the General Services Administration includes the elimination of an entire tech team of around 90 employees.

Breaking News Acquisition

Trump administration asks agencies to cull consultants

A memo dated Wednesday asks agencies to review their contracts with 10 of the “highest paid” companies.

Breaking News People

Top Social Security deputies leave amid rumored staff cuts

At least five of the eight regional heads have decided to leave as the mid-level worker-turned-acting commissioner is said to mull workforce reduction.

People

Social Security shutters its civil rights and transformation offices

Among the people affected are those managing the agency’s website, a front door to services for Americans online.

People

21 legacy USDS staffers resign rather than work for DOGE

The employees cited the compromise of core government systems, significant security risks and their re-interview experiences in their rationale for leaving the team.

People

GSA takes ‘sledgehammer’ to workforce with planned layoffs

The agency’s acting administrator informed employees Monday that a reduction in force effort was impending.

People

‘What did you do last week?’ Feds get mixed signals on whether to respond

Responses to the new governmentwide email system are meant to be voluntary, as OPM has advised agencies, but billionaire Elon Musk has said feds risk their employment if they choose not to respond — and some agencies are still telling feds to do so.

People

IRS expected to fire 6,700 employees beginning Thursday

The terminations will walk back much of the progress IRS, which is in the midst of tax season, has made in recent years to increase its workforce.

Digital Government

Longtime GSA employee quits rather than give Musk ally access to Notify.gov

The leader of the Technology Transformation Services at GSA wanted access to a text messaging platform for government agencies.

People

Dozens of employees at U.S. DOGE Service dismissed

Personnel from Elon Musk's efficiency service were the latest to be dismissed.

People

GSA to cut at least 100 employees, feds inside the agency say

Employees within the agency’s Technology Transformation Services received calls from supervisors Wednesday informing them of their impending dismissals.