Modernization

NBIS says it will deliver continuous monitoring for all customers by December

The National Background Investigation Services system was initially scheduled to be up and running in 2019.

People

Former CMS data chief Niall Brennan rejoins government

Brennan will be working as a senior advisor to the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with a focus on the agency’s data modernization push.

Artificial Intelligence

Agriculture Department is taking a ‘cautious’ approach to generative AI

The agency’s data “also needs to be in a condition… to support those kinds of tools,” according to USDA chief data officer and responsible AI officer, Chris Alvares.

People

CISA director touts hiring progress

The agency’s culture has been key to its hiring successes, Jen Easterly says.

Digital Government

GSA is looking for participants for its facial recognition study

Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Sonny Hashmi said the study will help determine how to move forward with Login.gov.

Acquisition

Government proposes a sustainability update for contracting regulations

Although the White House said the proposed update to the Federal Acquisition Regulation will help the government meet its zero-emissions goals, some stakeholders want it to go further.

Artificial Intelligence

Lawmaker pushes AI companies for more safety and security commitments

Companies need to take on practices that prevent things like social-scoring, real-time facial recognition and more, according to Sen. Mark Warner.

Digital Government

Senators seek details on SSA’s plan to modernize and simplify disability benefits applications

Three Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee asked the Social Security Administration for details on improvements to the Supplemental Security Income application.

Cybersecurity

White House cyber office has its eye on workforce data

Data on the cybersecurity workforce is fragmented and inconsistent. A top White House official is looking to change that.

Digital Government

How the IRS accidentally tagged thousands of taxpayers as dead

The IRS confirmed that 6,821 tax accounts were marked as deceased and locked — meaning that the agency wouldn’t process the tax returns associated with it — when the person was, in fact, alive.

Cybersecurity

White House cyber office makes new workforce-focused hire

Daniel “Rags” Ragsdale is joining the White House Office of the National Cyber Director, following work in the private sector, Defense Department and cyber research space.

Modernization

The ‘future is at risk’ for government’s biggest civilian payroll provider, study finds

The National Finance Center — a part of the Agriculture Department — provides payroll services for over 170 agencies, but a lot of them aren’t happy with the services they’re getting.

Cybersecurity

White House releases strategy to expand the U.S. cyber workforce

The plan includes measures for improving cybersecurity knowledge at all levels of education and improving how the federal government attracts, hires and pays cybersecurity workers.

Digital Government

How the Agriculture Department is ‘hardwiring’ customer experience into its work

The department’s chief customer experience officer, Simchah Suveyke-Bogin, told Nextgov/FCW that her primary goal is building capacity for customer experience.

Digital Government

IRS seeks states’ input on its direct file pilot

States have until Sept. 4 to tell the IRS if they’re interested in participating.

Modernization

States need federal standards for tech used in unemployment programs, GAO says 

One of the senators that requested the new report from the Government Accountability Office — Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore. — is tinkering with potential legislation on unemployment modernization. 

Modernization

Labor Department shifts unemployment modernization plans after Congress slashes funding

The department is also facing questions from Republican lawmakers about how it’s using unemployment-focused funding.

Artificial Intelligence

Tech legislation to watch in Congress ahead of summer recess

Among the bills considered is a new proposal from Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., to require agencies to designate chief AI officers, a position that currently exists at only a handful of agencies.