Author Archive
Natalie Alms
Staff Reporter, Nextgov/FCW
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.
Artificial Intelligence
New White House policy mandates safeguards for federal AI use
The White House also announced new hiring goals for AI talent, a request for information on the procurement of AI and more.
- By Natalie Alms and Alexandra Kelley
People
NAPA's Terry Gerton to step down
The longest-serving president of the influential public policy group is leaving at the end of the year.
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
SSA needs funding to address its ‘customer service crisis,’ commissioner says
Applicants have to wait eight months on average for an initial disability decision.
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
TMF, USDS hit with cuts in 2024 funding bill
The Technology Modernization Fund alone is slated for a $100 million clawback of American Rescue Plan Act funding under the appropriations package released Thursday.
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
House Democrats say they’re still concerned with CBP One
The app is part of the administration’s push to encourage migrants to use legal pathways to enter the U.S.
- By Natalie Alms
People
Tech, AI feature in new White House order to advance women's health research
First Lady Jill Biden argued a lack of such research has led to healthcare practices that are largely “based on men.”
- By Natalie Alms
Exclusive
Cybersecurity
OPM pitches Congress on a federal cyber workforce revamp
Agencies are competing for talent because of an uneven landscape of authorities, according to the personnel agency, which says its proposal can change that.
- By Natalie Alms
Modernization
IRS has some of the oldest tech in government — it’s trying to change that
Agency leadership views the “historic funding” provided under the Inflation Reduction Act as an opportunity to get out from under the list of needed tech improvements that have long plagued the IRS.
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
Biden seeks more than $500M for CX in 2025 budget
New digital service teams and a focus on the "voice of the customer" are among the customer experience funding requests in the FY2025 budget request.
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
Tech questions at the border
Critics say the Customs and Border Protection app CBP One is glitchy and unfair to migrants.
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
IRS touts launch of Direct File pilot
The pilot, which allows eligible taxpayers to file directly with the IRS for free, marks a new free option from the IRS, which has for decades relied on private companies to field free options for Americans.
- By Natalie Alms
Featured eBooks
Artificial Intelligence
Civil Rights commission digs into government use of facial recognition
The tech poses “serious threats to our fundamental rights,” the chair of the commission said during a Friday briefing.
- By Natalie Alms
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers try again with FISMA reform
The House Oversight and Accountability Committee passed a FISMA modernization proposal on to the full floor on Thursday.
- By Natalie Alms
Artificial Intelligence
House Oversight leaders introduce government AI transparency bill
This isn’t the first proposal that would require agencies to notify individuals when government decisions are influenced by AI.
- By Natalie Alms
Exclusive
Digital Government
White House stalls on digital identity mandate, despite billions in fraud
President Biden previewed an executive order in his 2022 State of the Union meant to address identity theft and fraud in public benefit programs. As Biden gears up for his 2024 address, the order still hasn’t been released.
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
Lawmaker proposes strict transparency regime for GSA’s tech service
The new legislation comes in response to an ongoing House Oversight and Accountability Committee investigation into what Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, described as an “unaccountable organization.”
- By Natalie Alms
Digital Government
IRS Direct File to be fully available March 12
The tool is a new way for eligible taxpayers to file directly with the IRS online for free.
- By Natalie Alms
People
SSA taps White House tech official for CIO post
Marcela Escobar-Alava will be starting as the CIO of the Social Security Administration on Monday.
- By Natalie Alms
Artificial Intelligence
Using AI to fight fraud is paying off, Treasury says
The tech has helped recover over $375 million since Treasury began using it over a year ago.
- By Natalie Alms
Artificial Intelligence
OPM gives agencies an AI hiring playbook
The latest workforce guidance from the Office of Personnel Management covers the existing pay, leave and workforce flexibilities agencies can use to attract and keep AI talent.
- By Natalie Alms