Nextgov
OPM Wants AI Bots To Decipher Government Legalese
The agency wants natural language processing bots that any employee can customize and deploy without significant tech skills.
Management
One Chart Shows the Unprecedented Turmoil at Homeland Security
Nearly a dozen top-level vacancies have left the Homeland Security Department in flux.
Tech
Sorry, Florida, Looks Like You’re Not Getting U.S. Space Command
Despite lobbying, Sunshine State left off shortlist for command’s new headquarters.
Management
IRS and Private Partners Tout Success in Combating Identity Theft
Numbers of reported taxpayer victims fell 71 percent from 2015 to 2018.
Nextgov
The Private Sector is Trying to Bring More Cyber Experts to Government
Mastercard, Microsoft, Workday and the Partnership for Public Service launched an initiative that would place highly qualified grads in cyber jobs at federal agencies.
Management
Watchdog Questions NSA’s $636 Million in Award Fee Incentive Contracts
Justifications of costs and benefits may not have served government’s interests.
Oversight
Congress Is About to Ban the Government From Offering Free Online Tax Filing. Thank TurboTax.
A bill supported by Democrats and Republicans would make permanent a program that bars the IRS from ever developing its own online tax filing service.
Tech
The US Army Wants AI to Read Soldiers’ Minds
A new study from the Army Research Lab may help AI-infused weapons and tools better understand their human operators.
Route Fifty
An Economic Development Package for a Major Tourist Attraction
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Different and escalated citations for homeless people in Sacramento ... Rethinking fare evasion in Philadelphia ... Changes for drones in a New Jersey town.
Route Fifty
Local Law Against Obstructing Sidewalks Survives Another Round in Federal Court
The District of Columbia statute has been criticized for how it has been enforced against black residents in the city.
Management
Trump Upends Homeland Security Department in Mass Removal of Top Staff
Experts and former officials call the bulk turnover unhealthy, unprecedented and "enormously disruptive."
Route Fifty
Thousands of Bridges In 'Urgent Need of Repairs'
Twenty-three percent of Rhode Island's bridges are structurally deficient, while Iowa has 4,675 bridges in the state that should be rehabilitated, according to a new report.
Management
Analysis: Kirstjen Nielsen Shows Why It’s Impossible to Restrain Trump
If anyone was going to moderate the president’s worst impulses, it was an expert and a bureaucrat like the former DHS secretary. Instead, all she did was sacrifice her own reputation.
Pay & Benefits
Federal Retirement Claims Continue to Surge in March, But Backlog Is Down
The annual spike in claims bled into a third month this year, after the 35-day partial government shutdown delayed the filing and processing of new retirement requests.
Oversight
Several Agencies Fall Behind on Steps to Ensure Scientific Integrity
GAO gives good report for most in carrying out policies to prevent politicization.
Management
Trump's New DHS Pick Faces Legal Uncertainty
2016 law appears to block the president from naming current Customs and Border commissioner to replace Kirstjen Nielsen.
Nextgov
NASA Makes First Award on GSA’s Massive $50 Billion Telecom Contract
With security authorizations trickling in, the space agency awarded a $10.5 million contract to support its core services.
News
Nominations Open for New Government Leadership Awards
We'll be naming an all-star team of officials who have gone above and beyond to serve the American people.
Defense