Modernization

OPM reduces the retirement backlog by one-third in 2023

The federal government’s HR agency’s work on improving the retirement application process for federal workers led to the agency shattering yet another longstanding record last month.

Modernization

How USPTO built a culture of trust in its automation efforts

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s use of automation has helped officials quickly address identified security vulnerabilities and software bugs, an agency official said.

Modernization

Ongoing ‘reset’ looks to put VA’s EHR deployment back on track

An agency spokesperson said VA is "committed to resuming the system rollout" but performance and productivity goals need to be hit before additional deployments are rescheduled.

Modernization

State Department restores passport processing to pre-pandemic levels

A hiring surge and mandatory overtime has brought passport processing down to its lowest level in years.

Modernization

TMF’s planned cost savings have been ‘minimal’ in reality, GAO finds

The original intent of the revolving fund anticipated repayments on finished projects replenishing the pool for new ones. In reality, such repayments have been slow and slim.

Modernization

NDAA includes bill backing new data center standards

The measure would require the General Services Administration to set new resiliency, cybersecurity, availability and sustainability expectations for federal data centers.

Modernization

OPM retirement backlog hits six-year low for third time this year

The number of pending federal employee retirement claims fell under 16,000 for the second time since 2017 in November.

Modernization

SSA restructures tech shop to center on the CIO

Be on the lookout for a vacancy announcement for the SSA CIO position.

Modernization

How a push to the cloud helped a Ukrainian bank keep faith with customers amid war

Ukraine’s largest bank preserved economic stability for 20 million customers amid an ongoing war with Russia.

Modernization

There’s a ‘big disconnect’ between users and developers of VA’s new EHR, lawmaker says

A 2023 survey of VA employees using the Oracle Cerner electronic health record system found that just 26% did not have issues with system availability.

Modernization

FBI’s new headquarters plan was not influenced by the Trump White House, watchdog says

An inspector general report four years in the making found that FBI officials nixed a plan to move its headquarters to suburban Washington, D.C., for reasons not related to alleged political pressure from the Trump administration. 

Modernization

'Give us the data,' oversight and anti-fraud experts tell lawmakers

Expert witnesses again implored lawmakers to make an existing data analytics center permanent and set up new data powers to combat fraud.

Modernization

OPM puts data at the center of human capital modernization

Contractors should focus on data standards as they develop solutions, a senior Office of Personnel Management official says.

Modernization

State CIOs look ahead to a collaborative, automated future

A survey of state technology leaders found that the CIO role has evolved from one concerned with building a state’s own tech infrastructure to one focused on acting as a broker of services. The change comes amid increasing automation, use of AI and cybersecurity challenges.

Modernization

CHIPS Act implementation at risk as November shutdown looms, Raimondo warns

The shutdown would be “massively disruptive” for ongoing efforts to boost semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S., Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said Wednesday.

Modernization

Commerce updates semiconductor supply chain alert system

Commerce and the International Trade Administration encouraged public and private organizations to submit reports on disruptions in the microelectronics’ supply chain.

Modernization

GAO urges EPA to make a plan for its ‘difficult’ and ‘outdated’ air quality IT systems

The systems in question are each nearly 30 years old and can be "difficult to maintain, access and use."

Modernization

DHS issues new IT plan to tackle workforce, AI and CX challenges

The department is planning to establish a DHS IT Academy with training and upskilling for its workforce.

Modernization

Connolly releases new FITARA scores without usual committee hearing

“We could not allow a lapse in the scorecard,” Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., said of the Tuesday roundtable discussion held without Republicans.