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.”
People
TTS director tapped to serve as Labor CIO
Thomas Shedd, a former Tesla engineer, will continue to lead the Technology Transformation Services, a General Services Administration spokesperson confirmed.
Digital Government
SSA head’s 3-month plan touts workforce reductions while calling for identity and AI investment
The acting commissioner at SSA said that he has “made some mistakes” and promised to learn from them in an email to staff Tuesday.
Modernization
IRS is evaluating its tech investments and modernization
The agency has been trying to update a tax processing system that uses an outdated programming code for over a decade.
Exclusive
Modernization
SSA weighs axing payments to 170,000 beneficiaries
The move to cease making payments to people without Social Security numbers would imperil the benefits of thousands of immigrants’ children with disabilities.
Breaking News
People
DHS taps Antoine McCord for top tech post
McCord is a former Marine and is excited about the use of AI in the agency, people familiar say.
Updated
Digital Government
Shrinking tech team endangers a nationwide disease tracking system at CDC
The CDC was in the middle of updating a public health surveillance system when the Trump administration started shedding workers. What happens next could exemplify the impact to key government programs and systems when tech teams are cut.
People
Lawsuit outlines how DOGE pushed for access to Social Security systems and data
Democracy Forward and unions are asking courts to block DOGE’s access to the troves of personal data held at the agency.
People
GSA continues slow drip of RIFs, nearly wiping out entire offices
More cuts are coming. Staff in the Technology Transformation Services were told Thursday that their team will be cut by 50%.
Digital Government
GSA preps code for shutdown of text service for government benefits
Though the agency did not confirm whether a Notify.gov shutdown was in the works, the agency’s Github repository shows code for an “end of life” banner for the service.
Policy
Social Security bans news access on government equipment
Employees were told Monday that “general news” will be blocked.
Digital Government
Login.gov is key to administration anti-fraud efforts, GSA official says
Early in the administration, some in Trump’s orbit had called for the single-sign on and identity proofing service to be gutted.
People
GSA eliminates 18F
The latest workforce action at the General Services Administration includes the elimination of an entire tech team of around 90 employees.
Breaking News
Acquisition
Trump administration asks agencies to cull consultants
A memo dated Wednesday asks agencies to review their contracts with 10 of the “highest paid” companies.
Breaking News
People