Author Archive

Natalie Alms

Staff Reporter, Nextgov/FCW

Natalie Alms
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.
Contracts

Inside the IRS push for digital transformation

IRS employees at an Austin, Texas processing center must still sort through heaps of paper documents. But digitization tools are being powered on to help.

Contracts

Federal buyers have a new 'co-pilot' to get good deals for government

The new Procurement Co-Pilot brings data together from across the government — something that’s historically been difficult to do.

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House panel advances bill to make federal contracting easier to understand

The Plain Language in Contracting Act would require agencies to use easy-to-understand language for certain procurement notices pertaining to small businesses.

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New rule cements sustainability mandate for federal buyers

A new update to the Federal Acquisition Regulation is meant to help the government meet goals for net-zero procurement by 2050.

Exclusive Contracts

Senate bill looks to chop through red tape in procurement

The bipartisan legislation aims to both expand access to special acquisition authorities and give new, innovative contractors more opportunities to work with the government.

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New White House policy mandates safeguards for federal AI use

The White House also announced new hiring goals for artificial intelligence talent, a request for information on the procurement of AI and more.

Podcasts

WT 360: NextGov/FCW's Natalie Alms on modernization challenges

Our NextGov/FCW colleague Natalie Alms jumps in to overview the government's ongoing challenges in artificial intelligence and customer experience.

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TMF, Digital Service hit with cuts in 2024 funding bill

The Technology Modernization Fund alone is slated for a $100 million clawback under the appropriations package released Thursday.

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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.

Companies

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.

Companies

The people problem behind the government’s AI ambitions

A White House official calls workforce gaps “one of the biggest barriers” for agencies as they look to fulfill requirements laid out in President Biden's executive order on artificial intelligence.

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IRS hits key digitization goal months ahead of schedule

The tax collection agency now says that around 94% of individual payers will no longer have to mail anything.

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On the heels of Biden's executive order, agencies get White House directive on implementing AI

Agencies will be on the hook for tapping chief AI officers, adding risk management practices to AI like independent evaluations and more.

Contracts

White House looks to ramp up contract spending with small disadvantaged businesses

Last year, the federal government awarded small disadvantaged businesses over 11% of contracting dollars. Now, it’s aiming for 13%.

Companies

FDA forms new committee to advise on health tech

The FDA is taking nominations for the Digital Health Advisory Committee, which is expected to begin work next year.

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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.

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Former officials sound off on the challenges of managing through a shutdown

“The big thing that happens..is lots of lawyers weighing in on what activities are actually exempt," one former official said.

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OPM has a plan to take its tech 'from the Flintstones to the Jetsons'

The personnel agency recently released its first IT strategic plan in nearly a decade.

Contracts

TMF adds guidance for IDEA Act proposals

Agencies have until Sept. 22 to send in submissions for funding.

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Government proposes a sustainability update for contracting regulations

Although the White House said the proposed update to the Federal Acquisition Regulation will help the government meet its zero-emissions goals, some stakeholders want it to go further.