Digital Government

Federal CIO talks customer experience

Clare Martorana says that the government is working with the private sector to measure how it delivers products and services as part of an effort to improve the experiences Americans have with government services.

Digital Government

Senate bill to update 1960s-era cooperation rules wins support from leading state and local groups

The bill, introduced in the Senate in March, would require an update to guidance on state-federal cooperation that dates back to the 1960s.

Digital Government

Measuring administrative burden

Recipients have to invest time and energy to obtain government services and the burden of compliance can take a toll, especially in marginalized communities.

Digital Government

Biden Already Willing to Increase Recent Defense Spending Request

Just six weeks after requesting $773 billion for 2023, the Pentagon’s No. 2 acknowledges the military may need more money, due to inflation.

Digital Government

Senator Not Sold on Army’s $22 Billion Bet on IVAS

In response, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth told senators she was "pretty comfortable" with the program's progress and said she didn't agree with elements of a critical oversight report.

Digital Government

IRS leader explains why the IRS went to ID.me 

The agency needs to be able to identity proof online users at a certain level to be able to offer a full menu of online services, Rettig told lawmakers.

Digital Government

DHS manipulated report on Russian election interference during the Trump administration, watchdog says

A 2020 report to state and local governments was delayed and altered, a new IG report finds.

Digital Government

Pentagon Still Not Taking Full Advantage of Rapid Acquisition Authorities, Former Official Says

Ellen Lord, the former undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment during the Trump administration, told senators "strong leadership" was needed to fully embrace rapid acquisitions policies.

Digital Government

FBI Ran Over 3 Million Searches on Americans' Electronic Data

Using data harvested by Section 702, the FBI published an approximation of how many searches it ran on Americans’ data for the first time.

Digital Government

How GSA is remaking USA.gov

The revamped "federal front door" won't be a mere portal—users will be able to complete end-to-end government services on the USA.gov website.

Digital Government

IRS balks at public free-file suggestion from government watchdog

The Government Accountability Office thinks the IRS should identify and create more free-filing options for taxpayers, but the IRS says that it "does not believe a public free-filing option would significantly improve the taxpayer experience."

Digital Government

GSA to study facial recognition tech with equity in mind

The General Services is planning a study with 2,000 participants to help the agency decide whether to tap facial recognition tech for its Login.gov service.

Digital Government

Federal Employees Are Growing Less Engaged and Less Satisfied With Their Jobs

Response rates for the annual Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey also fell 10 points from 2020, amid an abbreviated fall survey period due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Digital Government

GSA Launches New Tool to Simplify the Federal Buying Process

Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Sonny Hashmi said the new buyer experience tool "was built using human-centered design to address pain points in the acquisition process."

Digital Government

Staring at An Image of Yourself on Zoom Has Serious Consequences for Mental Health – Especially for Women

Mirrors, selfies and knowing other people are looking at you all cause people to think of themselves as objects. Video calls are all three in one and are likely increasing the harms of self-objectification.

Digital Government

Agriculture Department offers grants to improve SNAP

The USDA says that the grants fall in line with administration priorities around equity and inclusion, as well as improving the customer experience of Americans interacting with government programs

Digital Government

Labor Dept. pilot taps state data for a new look at who is getting UI

Data on access to unemployment insurance broken down by demographics can help program administrators make sure that they help everyone entitled to the benefit access it, the Labor Department says.

Digital Government

U.S. Joins ‘Historic’ Global Group Focused on Data Privacy

The newly-formed Global Cross-Border Privacy Rules Forum aims to promote international data sharing with an emphasis on bridging differences in privacy frameworks.