Author Archive
Natalie Alms
Staff Reporter, Nextgov/FCW
![Natalie Alms](https://cdn.nextgov.com/media/img/cd/2023/07/11/_DSF5347_1/180x180.jpg?1689108122)
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.
Digital Government
SSI to move core disability program application online
The initial rollout will be available to adults who have never married and are applying for Supplemental Security Income for the first time.
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
NIST releases new draft of digital identity proofing guidelines
Among the changes is a new identity proofing option that doesn’t use biometrics like facial recognition.
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
ICE struggles to track unaccompanied minors, oversight report says
The agency lacks automated systems to chart the path of underage migrants through the immigration system.
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
Energy Department wants to use AI to speed up permitting
The hope is that helping feds dive into historical environmental documents creates efficiencies and better outcomes.
- By Natalie Alms
Emerging Tech
DOD unveils new biodefense-focused supercomputer
The new system is part of a collaboration with the Department of Energy-sponsored Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
SSA has a plan, but wants more funding to get it done
The 2024 agenda’s top priorities for the remainder of the year stem from over 5,000 recommendations from employees.
- By Natalie Alms
Modernization
IRS is flying blind without plans to modernize legacy tech, watchdog says
This isn’t the first time the IRS has been called out by oversight officials for a lack of detailed technology planning.
- By Natalie Alms
Cybersecurity
Proposal for a federal cyber training institute study passes key Senate committee
It’s one among several cybersecurity workforce-focused bills on the Hill this Congress.
- By Natalie Alms
Updated
Digital Government
Benefits.gov to shutter in September
The Labor Department’s benefits-focused website dates back to 2002.
- By Natalie Alms
Modernization
Senate panel outpaces House in tech spending plans, including TMF
The Senate's General Government and Financial Services appropriation includes a $25 million plus-up for the nearly depleted Technology Modernization Fund.
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
Education says a new system will help borrowers — lawmakers aren’t so sure
“This new system lacks transparency,” four senators told the Department of Education.
- By Natalie Alms
Featured eBooks
Digital Government
Senate Democrats push an accessibility refresh
A new bill would revamp the decades old law requiring the government be accessible online, where many agencies are still falling short
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
The White House thinks better tech could speed up permitting
The White House’s Council on Environmental Quality says in a new, congressionally mandated report that better tech could help the permitting process, but it's unclear whether new efforts are in the offing.
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
OMB touts 'time tax' reductions for government services
Sam Berger, associate administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, spoke with Nextgov/FCW about progress made and what’s next.
- By Natalie Alms
Modernization
Treasury looks to help the financial sector move to the cloud
Among the potential risks: market concentration among cloud service providers.
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
As GSA turns 75, one of its leading technologists reflects on the agency's mission
Ann Lewis, director of the Technology Transformation Services, talks implementation, money and more.
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
Jobless aid programs get a facelift under a bipartisan Senate proposal
The bill responds to asks from the oversight community, in addition to instituting requirements for states administering the funds.
- By Natalie Alms
Artificial Intelligence
Trump pledges to ax Biden’s AI executive order
The newly adopted Republican platform calls the executive order “dangerous.”
- By Natalie Alms
Modernization
Transportation’s working capital fund is missing controls for cost recovery, IG warns
The watchdog’s findings include an accidental overbilling by upwards of $16,000.
- By Natalie Alms
People
TMF names new director
The fund’s current deputy executive director, Larry Bafundo, will be taking the helm of a program facing down budget and authorization challenges in the coming months.
- By Natalie Alms