Modernization

Funding bill extends TMF and cyber measures through September

The authorization for the Technology Modernization Fund had lapsed in December, leaving its leadership unable to make new investments.

Inside the Transportation Department’s technology transformation

The agency took a step in its digital transformation journey in September by striking a deal with Google, through the General Services Administration’s OneGov program.

VA readies to restart EHR deployments in 2026, despite lingering lawmaker unease

VA and Oracle Health say the modernization project’s operational pause has allowed them to enhance the new software’s usability and effectiveness.

Lawmakers question VA health record’s costs and batched deployments

The agency is looking to deploy its new Oracle Health EHR near simultaneously at four Michigan medical facilities in April 2026.

Transportation planning to expand its use of agentic AI capabilities

A growing number of federal agencies are moving to adopt agentic AI capabilities across their operations.

OMB, OPM pitch new governmentwide HR system

A joint memo from OMB Director Russ Vought and OPM Director Scott Kupor Wednesday laid out plans to encompass all federal HR management data into a single technology platform by fiscal 2028.

Technology Modernization Fund reauthorization not included in NDAA

The revolving fund — set up in 2017 to back government modernization projects — will expire at the end of this week without congressional action.

Technology Modernization Fund nears expiration, despite bipartisan backing

Some lawmakers are pushing for the modernization fund to be included in the must-pass annual defense bill before it expires next week.

Social Security occupational data update appears stalled after agency drops regulatory overhaul

The Social Security Administration has spent hundreds of millions of dollars trying to update the occupational data used in disability adjudications. When the agency will actually move to newer data is unclear.

How government leaders can balance the pros and cons of data center development

Policy and partnerships with tech companies can give state and local leaders a lever to ensure data centers are developed responsibly and sustainable, experts said during a recent webinar.

One-stop shopping for counter-drone gear is aim of joint task force

The Army-led effort is also working on policy for buying and deploying C-UAS systems stateside.

Government spending package includes money for House modernization efforts

Funding earmarked for the House of Representatives’ Modernization Initiatives Account can be used to accelerate the development of innovative constituent-focused tools.

Experts see promise, risk in Pentagon’s draft acquisition reforms

A draft memo is circulating ahead of SecDef Hegseth’s Friday speech.

Inside the Secret Service hunt for skimmers as outdated SNAP cards let thieves steal millions

The government still uses 1970s-era technology to deliver SNAP, leaving beneficiaries vulnerable to transnational crime rings that have taken hundreds of millions of dollars in benefits in recent years.

Post-9/11 veterans group’s project to modernize VA healthcare includes suicide prevention focus

The initiative from the nonprofit Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is helmed by former VA Secretary David Shulkin and is looking into seven preliminary areas of care.

Dave Powner returns to GAO, this time to advocate for its bipartisan, cost-saving work

“We are the watchdog for the Congress, and it's really important that they collectively know our value,” congressional relations official Dave Powner told Nextgov/FCW.

VA to focus on EHR deployment first, then innovative additions, official says 

Dr. Neil Evans, who is currently overseeing VA’s deployment of a new EHR system, said one benefit of rolling out the Oracle Health software is “we can, in the future, more easily orchestrate and deliver an integrated technological experience.”