The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has been testing several systems to authenticate the identity of individuals using their online systems to access information. The agency has pursued several authentication tools in the last few years and has now announced a sole-source contract with BioCatch for a proof-of-concept that would incorporate behavioral analytics into the agency’s eAuthentication (eAuth) system.

In the Merit Systems Protection Board’s (MSPB) September Newsletter, Office of Policy and Evaluation Director James Read made note of the current shortfalls of the performance appraisal system and encourages agencies to make improvements. Director Read used the results of the 2016 Merit Principles Survey (MPS) as a guide for getting more out of annual reviews.

In a memo released to agencies on Friday from the Office of Personnel Management, OPM Acting Director Margaret Weichert outlined ways agencies can change their hiring practices to better evaluate candidates. A key pillar of this plan is involving subject matter experts in the decision-making process.

Members of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs wrote the president last week urging him to fill vacant inspector general (IG) positions in the federal government. The letter outlines current vacancies and expresses the importance of stable, permanent leadership.

At a summit hosted on Monday, the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy gathered tech leaders from across the federal government to learn about current uses of artificial intelligence (AI) and discuss the technology’s future. The event focused on how the federal government invests in research and development, collects and provides vast data resources, and regulates the new technology.

Last week the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) program awarded seven individuals who have assisted the program in ushering in a new generation of workforce employees. During the event, PMF Director Arianne Gallagher discussed future prospects for the program and Senior Executives Association (SEA) Executive Director Jason Briefel discussed new approaches to human capital management.

In a letter to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate, President Trump has endorsed a pay increase for all federal employees with no locality pay increase. This plan goes against the president’s previously proposed pay freezes for federal employees. Congress must now pass funding measures to determine the exact pay increase federal employees will receive.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Weill Family Foundation to cooperate on Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects as they relate to multidisciplinary and translational research of neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other priorities.

Federal Chief Information Officer Suzette Kent has boasted the success of the first graduates of the Cyber Reskilling Academy. The academy was started as a pilot to gauge interest and ability to reskill sectors of the federal workforce to prepare for increased cyber needs. Attendees gained two certifications as a result of their participation in the program.

Following a report from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Inspector General Office (IG) regarding veteran suicide, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs Chairman is calling upon the VA to take agency wide action to mitigate the problem. The president has also spoken up on the issue and called for increased resources to VA facilities to combat depression.

A State Department Office of Inspector General (OIG) report released this month reviewed allegations of mismanagement at the Bureau of International Organization Affairs (IO). The report details “deficiencies and mistreatment” of career employees by leadership and management within the department.

A report from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) found that several agencies are making good use of student loan repayment programs as a tool for recruitment and retention. The report details the average amounts given to employees as well.

The State Department’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a report this month assessing the impact of a hiring freeze within the department. The report found the freeze to have wide ranging negative impacts, particularly on the Trump administration's long term reform goals. The challenges continued after the freeze was lifted.

Last week, 53 college students completed a 10-week fellowship with the federal government called Coding it Forward, where they worked within agencies to improve data and technology projects. During their final presentations, several students discussed the importance of attracting young people to public service and opportunities for the government to improve their recruitment strategy.