Digital Government

Biden's equity executive order includes data, AI provisions

The order directs agencies to consider including their civil rights offices in decisions about artificial intelligence systems.

Digital Government

Biden’s IRS Pick Says He Wants to Move Agency’s Systems into the 21st Century

Nominee for IRS commissioner Danny Werfel, a self-professed “government geek,” talked customer experience, cybersecurity and IT modernization with senators at a Wednesday hearing.

People

Biden’s IRS pick says he wants to move agency’s systems into the 21st century

Nominee for IRS commissioner Danny Werfel, a self-professed “government geek,” talked customer experience, cybersecurity and IT modernization with senators at a Wednesday hearing.

Digital Government

Government’s chief data scientist previews agencies’ work on equitable data

U.S. Chief Data Scientist Denice Ross said government agencies are working to build capacity around equitable data, with a progress report on these efforts set to come out soon.

Digital Government

New GSA benefits hub to pilot text notifications

The General Services Administration's Public Benefits Studio is looking for agency partners to co-design and pilot a new digital notification service that will send customized reminders to individuals in public benefit programs.

Digital Government

Industry, Congress have eye on Login.gov and the public, private sector role in digital identity

The Software Alliance and Enterprise Cloud Coalition calls for a “technology neutral” solution to digital identity in a recent letter after Congress directed GSA to promote a policy of multiple credential service providers.

Emerging Tech

IRS Names Advisors on Possible Government-run Direct Filing System for Taxpayers

The IRS tapped New America to report on the feasibility of a free, public-facing IRS-hosted tax filing infrastructure for ordinary taxpayers.

Policy

Lawmakers clash during hearing about unemployment insurance fraud

While House members pointed fingers over fraudulent payouts from pandemic-era programs, watchdogs offered recommendations for action, including new tech and data-sharing tools.

Digital Government

IRS names advisors on possible government-run direct filing system for taxpayers

The IRS tapped New America to report on the feasibility of a free, public-facing IRS-hosted tax filing infrastructure for ordinary taxpayers.

People

Labor Secretary set to leave post for NHL players union, reports say

The news comes as some House Republicans set their sights on oversight for fraud in pandemic-era benefits programs including enhanced unemployment insurance.

Acquisition

Software industry group offers FedRAMP wishlist to OMB, GSA

The recently-passed FedRAMP Authorization Act should be a starting point for the government to remake the certification program in a way that lowers the barrier of entry for cloud solutions, the Alliance for Digital Innovation said in a new letter to OMB and GSA.

Defense

GAO: DOD needs better guidance, resources for contested information environment training

The government watchdog said that while defense officials have emphasized decision-based training for combatting disinformation, its guidance isn't clear about how military leaders are supposed to approach the curriculum.

Policy

Foster still has his eye on digital identity bill in the new Congress

A digital identity verification proposal from Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.) didn’t escape the last Congress, but the legislator says that he intends to reintroduce the bill, which would have implications for how the government verifies citizens online.

Acquisition

GSA wants nominations for its new FedRAMP committee

The new Federal Security Cloud Advisory Committee, mandated by the FedRAMP authorization bill passed late last year, will offer recommendations on the cloud security assessment program.

Digital Government

GAO Pegs Unemployment Insurance Fraud Tally at More Than $60 billion

At the same time, the congressional watchdog cautioned that governmentwide fraud estimates are potentially dicey.

Policy

GAO pegs unemployment insurance fraud tally at more than $60 billion

At the same time, the congressional watchdog cautioned that governmentwide fraud estimates are potentially dicey.

Digital Government

'Taxpayer Advocate' pushes for IRS to make its own free, direct e-file system

A new report calls the current e-file program, a collaboration between private tax prep companies and the IRS, greatly underutilized and advises the agency to develop a new system.

Modernization

New HHS data strategy is coming in 'weeks,' CIO says

Data sharing within HHS and beyond the department are still sore spots, but the hope is that a new data strategy could help. 

People

OPM pushes to rebrand government and capitalize on tech layoffs

The Office of Personnel Management is co-hosting a tech job fair on Wednesday. It’s one example of ongoing efforts to rebrand the government as an employer.

People

Feds mull changes to cannabis questions on vetting forms

A plan to modernize intake forms for candidates for government service could include revisions to the type of questions asked about marijuana use.