Tech

OPM Gives Agencies Guidance for a New Program to Rotate Cybersecurity Employees

The guidance seeks to implement the Federal Rotation Cyber Workforce Program created by lawmakers last year as a way to foster new critical skills.

Workforce

Reciprocity Remains As Key Clearance Issue

Intelligence community elements appear to have adopted a wait-and-see posture over efforts to construct a common platform that allows for agencies to treat security adjudications as a shared service.

Tech

IRS Plans to Approve Use of Login-dot-gov as Tax Day Nears

The tax agency intends to add Login this filing season—and as early as next week—as the integration is in final rounds of testing.

Tech

White House Mulls Scaling up Login-dot-gov to Reach Every American

A draft of a long-awaited executive order covering digital identity includes a push to make government-owned Login-dot-gov an option for most federal benefits programs.

Tech

IRS Names Advisors on Possible Government-Run Direct Filing System for Taxpayers

The IRS tapped New America to report on the feasibility of a free, public-facing IRS-hosted tax filing infrastructure for ordinary taxpayers.

Management

The Labor Secretary Is Set to Leave His Post for the NHL Players Union, Reports Say

The news comes as some House Republicans set their sights on oversight for fraud in pandemic-era benefits programs including enhanced unemployment insurance.

Oversight

GAO Pegs Unemployment Insurance Fraud Tally at More Than $60 billion

At the same time, the congressional watchdog cautioned that governmentwide fraud estimates are potentially dicey.

Management

Taxpayer Advocate Pushes For IRS to Make Its Own Free, Direct e-File System

A new report calls the current e-file program, a collaboration between private tax prep companies and the IRS, greatly underutilized and advises the agency to develop a new system.

Workforce

OPM Pushes to Rebrand Government and Capitalize on Tech Layoffs

The Office of Personnel Management is co-hosting a tech job fair on Wednesday. It’s one example of ongoing efforts to rebrand the government as an employer.

Workforce

Feds Mull Changes to Cannabis Questions on Vetting Forms

A plan to modernize intake forms for candidates for government service could include revisions to the type of questions asked about marijuana use.

Tech

Omnibus Spending Bill Includes a Ban of TikTok on Government Devices

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., told FCW on Monday that Congress might have more work to do regarding national security implications of the popular video-sharing app TikTok in the next session of Congress.

Tech

Improved Data Sharing Between SSA and USDA Could Streamline Benefits Delivery

Online application pilots are on the horizon with a new data-sharing update between the Social Security Administration and Agriculture Department.

Management

Bill to 'Stop the Government Speak' in Agency Documents Clears Senate

The proposal would expand and update an existing law on plain language requirements for agencies.

Defense

Gillibrand Ditches Military-Services Style Cyber Academy Idea for DOD Scholarship Program in NDAA

The new plan proposed by the New York senator would offer cyber scholarships to students at colleges and universities, followed by DOD service.  

Management

For Federal Customer Service to Work, Congress, the White House and Agencies Need 'Fundamental' Change, Report Says

A new report from the Partnership for Public Service and Accenture Federal Services outlines the systemic barriers to customer experience, and the collaboration between Congress and the executive branch needed to address them.

Management

A Cybersecurity Agency Has Hired Its First 'Chief People Officer'

NASA's Elizabeth Kolmstetter will be charged with aligning talent recruitment efforts at the cybersecurity agency during an increasingly tight labor market.

Oversight

Former Tax Chiefs Urge the Senate to Quickly Confirm Biden's IRS Nominee

The new commissioner should be a part of setting priorities and making plans, say former tax agency heads.

Management

DOJ Looks to Improve the FOIA Experience With a New ‘Wizard’

A new FOIA search tool is under development, while forthcoming shared business standards aim to streamline case management systems.

Pay & Benefits

OPM's Ahuja Gets an Earful from Agencies Over Enhanced Pay for Cyber Talent

The director of the Office of Personnel Management is navigating the intense competition among federal agencies for in-demand cybersecurity workers.

Tech

'Mixed Progress' So Far for the Office of Federal Student Aid's Modernization Push

A new report from the Government Accountability Office says that the Office of Federal Student Aid doesn't have reliable cost and schedule estimates for the project.