Defense
DOGE now has approval authority for defense IT, consulting contracts
A new memo from the Defense Department's acquisition leader spells out what agencies and components have to inform the Department of Government Efficiency before proceeding on certain contracts.
Management
Funding for further EHR deployments ‘vitally important,’ VA secretary says
VA Secretary Doug Collins said failing to modernize the agency’s electronic health record system “hurts our community care process because our doctors cannot communicate with the community [or] our doctors internally.”
Workforce
Trump administration debuts permitting modernization plan, even as staff cuts could jeopardize it
The new plan builds on Biden-era work, but how implementation goes during Trump-era workforce reductions remains to be seen.
Workforce
Fired GSA 18F employees appeal to have jobs reinstated
The Trump administration has endeavored to streamline the agency’s contracting and procurement processes while putting in mechanisms to shed its workforce.
Defense
The DOD’s tech agency braces for 10% workforce cut
The agency hopes to bring some staff back in a “surgical rehiring,” said Lt. Gen. Paul Stanton, head of the Defense Information Systems Agency.
Management
USDA wants to modernize farmer services, even as staffing cuts could hurt the effort
The department plans to digitize farmer-facing applications that are still on paper.
Tech
Reconciliation text includes $500 million for modernization and AI at Commerce
The text also includes a prohibition on state-level enforcement of AI laws and regulations.
Tech
Trump administration unveils multi-billion dollar plan to modernize air traffic control system
“To do it in three or four years, we need all of the money up front,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said about the White House’s push to upgrade antiquated air traffic control technologies across the U.S.
Tech
Meet the former feds organizing against purported DOGE ‘destroyers’
We the Builders, a group of current and former federal employees, is trying to spread information and support feds under Trump 2.0.
Tech
USPS plans to use AI to enhance customer service
USPS Vice President for Customer Experience Marc McCrery said the agency is looking to switch its call center platform to a cloud-based application this summer, which he said will be “the start of our AI journey.”
Management
Social Security bans news access on government equipment
Employees were told Monday that “general news” will be blocked.
Transition
Tech is power in Musk’s campaign to roll over federal civil servants
COMMENTARY | Instead of brigades of men with guns storming government buildings, President Trump and billionaire Elon Musk are deploying young men with zip drives to infiltrate federal agencies, argues one observer.
Management
OPM asks to dismiss email server lawsuit, citing misinterpretation of law
The agency notably released a privacy impact assessment for the dubious email server used to mass-message federal employees about a deferred resignation offer on the same day as the legal dismissal request.
Tech
Gregory Barbaccia named federal CIO
The Palantir alum has also served in the Army and as an intelligence analyst.
Management
‘Over half’ of federal websites got better in the past year, OMB official says
Metrics released by the Office of Management and Budget offer insight into how agencies are implementing the 21st Century IDEA Act.
Tech
Agencies still struggle with online accessibility, GSA says
The landscape under Trump 2.0 isn’t clear, either.
Management
OPM CIO announces retirement
Guy Cavallo is the agency’s longest serving CIO in the past decade.
Tech
VA plans to restart EHR rollouts in mid-2026, despite viability concerns
VA Secretary Denis McDonough previously told Congress that the department was looking to end its pause on new deployments of the Oracle Cerner software in fiscal year 2025.
Tech
OMB releases its federal technology impact report as the Biden administration winds down
Clare Martorana, the federal CIO, says she expects federal IT to stay bipartisan.
Tech