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.
Digital Government

DOGE is building a ‘master database’ of sensitive information, top Oversight Democrat says 

Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., is calling on the Social Security Administration’s watchdog to investigate whistleblower claims that the efficiency team is compiling potentially sensitive data across several government agencies.

Artificial Intelligence

SSA is rolling out a new chatbot for employees

The agency has said that it intends to use technology and AI to make up for workforce cuts.

Digital Government

Trump ‘anti-fraud’ memo could allow SSA to stop paying some Americans’ earned benefits

The document’s publication comes just days after reports that DOGE operatives overruled career workers to falsely label thousands of immigrants as dead.

Digital Government

Trump builds on Biden efforts to modernize permitting technology

While many praised the effort as common-sense, workforce cuts across government, as well as the administration’s deregulatory efforts, have raised questions about implementation.

Acquisition

Trump orders major changes to rules covering $1T in federal spending

The Tuesday mandate — which aims to streamline the way government buys goods and services — was accompanied by a second order requiring agencies to predominantly use commercial products, rather than custom-built.

People

Top tech leaders to leave IRS

The departures happen even as the tax agency has made controversial decisions to share taxpayer data with the Department of Homeland Security and centralize that data to make it more accessible.

People

Deep cuts hit HHS tech offices

Current employees say that dramatic cuts to leadership and career staff within FDA and HHS have left critical projects at risk.

Digital Government

GSA preps for layoffs at TTS

The coming reductions in force are the latest in a series of workforce cuts within the Technology Transformation Services.

People

Interior fires senior leaders after fight over DOGE access to key payroll system

Several officials in the department’s CIO shop who were not fired are taking the latest deferred resignation offer, meaning that the office is nearly cleared out, with only two of nine leadership roles permanently filled.

Digital Government

SSA reorg plan contemplates field office closures, contradicting public statements

A March draft of the Social Security Administration's reorganization plan proposes "consolidating" field offices while shuttling customer service to AI and other automated platforms.

Digital Government

Musk and DOGE make the case for their efficiency, tech work

The DOGE team made statements that have been contradicted by agencies they're working for during a Thursday night interview on FOX.

Digital Government

Lawmakers try again with software licensing bill

This marks the third Congress in which the bipartisan bill has been introduced.

Digital Government

Federal CIO launches effort to 'rationalize' government’s web footprint

The goals follow both preexisting efforts to improve federal website management and recent administration imperatives to increase efficiency.

People

SSA tech shop to be led by another DOGE associate

Scott Coulter will replace the agency’s previous CIO, who has been moved to a senior advisor position at SSA.

Modernization

GSA launches FedRAMP revamp

One major goal of the changes is to speed up the timeframe for agencies to get access to the latest technology quickly, “not months or years down the road,” the agency’s acting administrator said.

Digital Government

Trump pens executive order pushing agencies to share data

The order comes as the administration is dealing with many lawsuits over DOGE access to federal systems and has sparked concerns about further data access among others.

Acquisition

GSA to ‘quadruple' in size to centralize procurement across the government

The head of GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service told employees at a Thursday meeting that the agency will “do about $400 billion” in procurement management under this effort.

Digital Government

DOGE allies want more online identity verification despite its mixed efficacy

New testing at DHS shows a wide range in the performance of online identity proofing systems. Some simply don’t work well.

Digital Government

Senate Democrats want details on DOGE and DHS attempts to access IRS data

The IRS reportedly rejected the broad requests for taxpayer information, but the lawmakers worry recent actions have “left the door open for future requests.”