FedScoop

Nominations for the 2025 #FedScoop50 Awards are officially open! Each year, FedScoop honors the most influential leaders, programs, and innovations driving progress in federal IT and digital transformation. From visionary government executives and trailblazing technologists to rising stars and standout industry partners, the FedScoop 50 celebrates those who are shaping the future of government through technology. If you know a person, project, or organization making a meaningful impact in federal tech, now is the time to recognize their contributions. ?? Submit your nomination today: https://hubs.li/Q03dH7CK0

Marcus Alzona is no longer the chief information officer of the Small Business Administration. It’s not completely clear what happened to the role. A person familiar with the situation said the Trump administration technology executive was let go last week and an employee within the agency told FedScoop that they learned the old CIO had been let go and that a new acting CIO had been appointed. But the Small Business Administration did not respond to a request for comment about the circumstances of Alzona’s departure. https://hubs.li/Q03f0gMp0

The Department of State is continuing to expand its artificial intelligence chatbot known as StateChat, including working toward a mobile version and the ability to query internal messages called cables, a department official involved in that effort told FedScoop. John Silson, director of analytics in the State Department’s Center for Analytics, said the agency is “working on building out StateChat as a mobile application that our team members can use on their government phones.” Silson, who was speaking on a panel at Scoop News Group’s SNG Live event Thursday, said those efforts will continue to ensure security, but will also put the technology into “diplomats’ hands as they’re walking around, and taking meetings, and working with individuals.” https://hubs.li/Q03f098Z0

Matt Bracken with the big Saturday news out of IRS

The Internal Revenue Service on Friday placed around 50 IT staffers on administrative leave, according to two sources familiar with the situation, the latest in the Trump administration’s gutting of the tax agency during the heart of filing season. https://hubs.li/Q03f0gNN0

President Donald Trump is asking new Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios to “blaze a trail to the next frontiers of science,” writing in a Wednesday letter that he wants to see the country become an “unrivaled” global leader in emerging tech. In the letter, Trump pointed to four “long years of weakness and complacency” under the Biden administration and pushed Kratisos to revitalize America’s science and tech enterprise while ensuring that science and tech innovation fuel economic growth. https://hubs.li/Q03f0bBN0

Karen Evans, a longtime government IT official who previously held the role that preceded the creation of the federal chief information officer, was nominated this week to serve as undersecretary for management at the Department of Homeland Security. Evans, whose nomination has been referred to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, joined the Trump administration earlier this year as executive assistant director for cybersecurity at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Evans’ role at CISA was one of the most prominent cyber jobs in the federal government, leading the agency’s “mission to protect and strengthen federal civilian agencies and the nation’s critical infrastructure against cyber threats,” per an official description of the position. https://hubs.li/Q03f0hDz0

?? It’s that time of year — nominations for the 2025 #FedScoop50 Awards are now open! For over a decade, the FedScoop 50 Awards have celebrated excellence in federal IT by spotlighting the leaders, innovators and change agents moving government forward. Whether it’s a federal CIO modernizing legacy systems, a rising leader solving critical mission challenges, or a private-sector partner delivering real impact — help us honor those driving innovation across the public sector. Nominate your picks now and help us recognize the best in government tech. ?? Submit here: https://hubs.li/Q03dHCzd0

The rapid acceleration of artificial intelligence is transforming industries, but what does responsible AI innovation look like? #AIWeek 2025 convenes AI pioneers and decision-makers to explore the latest breakthroughs, discuss policy and regulatory challenges, and uncover new AI-driven opportunities. Across hundreds of interactive sessions, lightning talks, and networking events, this week-long festival provides the platform to shape AI’s future. Whether you are focused on AI strategy, ethics, security, or implementation, AIWeek 2025 is where the national AI conversation takes place. Be part of it: https://hubs.li/Q03dGK0F0 #AIWeek2025

Marcus Alzona, who assisted with the Trump inauguration, briefly served in the position. https://hubs.li/Q03d-4gJ0