Streamlining Government with a Back-to-Basics Approach

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Building efficiencies into government requires more than adopting new technologies that automate processes. It also involves updating how the government procures those technologies, as well as other goods and services. Several Executive Orders (EOs) have addressed improving the procurement process across government. In response, some recent updates and guidance show progress is being made in revisiting the requirements companies must meet to sell to the government.

OneGov

The General Services Administration (GSA) was created as a centralized function for the administration of government. This included managing procurement, office space, supplies, and records. Over time, these functions have migrated back into individual agencies for a variety of reasons, a key one being (ironically enough) efficiency. Many agencies started their own contracting vehicles and took on more procurement activity because they felt they could better serve the needs of their workforce and missions themselves. In some cases, this was true, but the spread of responsibility led to great duplication in effort and weakened the government's buying power. Continue reading →

How to Win at AI

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The Administration's overarching AI guidance, Winning the Race: America's AI Action Plan, was developed to ensure the United States maintains a competitive edge in AI technology development and deployment. The plan and accompanying Executive Orders (EO) focus on three core priorities:

  • Building AI-ready infrastructure
  • Establishing and promoting a U.S.-technology export regime
  • Defining "bias" in models to ensure use of unbiased large language models in government

This plan follows a January executive order that pledged delivery of an AI Action Plan within six months. Continue reading →

The History of Labor Day: Honoring the American Worker

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Each year, Americans observe Labor Day on the first Monday in September--a federal holiday that signifies more than just the unofficial end of summer. For over a century, Labor Day has stood as a national tribute to the achievements of American workers and the strength of the U.S. labor movement.

But what's the true origin of Labor Day in the United States, and why is it so significant?

The Beginnings of the Labor Day Holiday

The history of Labor Day in the U.S. traces back to the late 19th century, a time of rapid industrial growth. During this period, American workers faced harsh conditions--long hours, low wages, and unsafe work environments were the norm. As industrialization accelerated, so did the call for better labor standards and protections. Continue reading →

Improved Technology Means Improved Citizen Service

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A focus on government efficiency should benefit citizens by yielding improved service and better stewardship of tax dollars. Efforts have been underway across government for decades to improve service to the citizen. With the government embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and new security paradigms, the digitization of government continues to accelerate in support of citizen service.

Paperwork Reduction

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 kicked off the government's focus on reducing both paperwork and manual effort. Now a new piece of legislation may accelerate efforts further. The ePermit Act was introduced to create an interagency data system to serve as a single point for tracking real-time data on environmental reviews. Currently, agencies have siloed systems that make it difficult to share information, even though permitting often spans multiple agencies. This act responds to the administration's desire to streamline regulatory compliance, easing burdens on industry. Continue reading →

Blockchain’s Role in Blocking Fraud

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Blockchain technology has gained traction across the U.S. government as a practical tool for multiple diverse purposes. From streamlining procurement to preventing fraud, agencies are increasingly exploring how blockchain can enhance transparency, security, and efficiency in federal operations. However, with innovation comes risk. The government is also looking into how to ensure the technology is not misused to conceal illicit activity, commit fraud, or obscure accountability.

Fraud Prevention

Since every transaction in a blockchain is recorded permanently, malicious actions are traceable, which increases accountability. Each transaction is unique and chronologically linked, meaning a record cannot be copied, altered, or duplicated without triggering detection. This level of traceability allows governments to confirm that payments are going to the intended recipients. For foreign aid, payments can be tracked not just to the intended country but as they continue on from there. In terms of domestic benefits, blockchain can verify the identities of welfare recipients, while simultaneously confirming their eligibility. Continue reading →