Tech Talks
The GSA CTO team hosts in-depth Tech Talks. This is where GSA IT presenters discuss technology topics affecting the agency. They are 30 minute informal meetings for internal GSA members. Demonstrations are often provided along with follow-up Q&A.
Register for upcoming events here and enjoy content from past events. You can reach out to the presenter via contact information in the slides or through this site's feedback mechanisms.
For questions about the content of the Tech Talks not publicly available, please contact the GSA CTO team at cto@gsa.gov.
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Tech Reentry Tech Talk
Jan 20th, 2022, 1:00pm - 1:30pm ET
Objective
It’s been a while since you’ve been physically in the office.
Do you remember how to reserve a workstation? How to access your favorite printer? Do you know
how to make an appointment at the IT Insider Live! store?
Get answers to these and other reentry-related tech questions at our next Tech Talk on January 20. GSA IT is here to support your safe and successful return to the office!
Location
Virtual for GSA Internal
Who
Gwendolyn Gardner Veal and Jay Brosch
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SAP Business Objects
Jan 13th, 2022, 1:00pm - 1:30pm ET
Objective
Business Objects has been used for over 15 years as an integral part of financial
reporting services for GSA (PBS, FAS, CFO, HR) and external users.
Business Objects has the capability to be able to retrieve data from a variety of data
sources through Extract, Transform and Load processes.
GSA offices can request a Business Objects data set or report be built.
This presentation will include an overview of Public/Corporate Reports available and
how to request access to Business Objects.
Location
Virtual
Who
Kathy Harvel and Marnie May
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New Software Service Request 508/ACR Process Tech Talk
Dec 8th, 2021, 1:00pm - 1:30pm ET
Objective
Following-up on the revised Software Review Request process we introduced in September, this Tech Talk focuses on the accessibility requirements. People who are requesting software must provide an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR), the vendor’s self-assessment regarding how well their products meet the 508 requirements for accommodating people with disabilities.
Please come to this tech talk with any questions\concerns
Location
Virtual
Who
Karl Hebenstreit
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Zero Trust Tech Talk
Nov 16th, 2021, 11:00 - 11:30pm ET
Objective
Nov 16 Zero Trust Tech Talk with Bo Berlas
The President’s Executive Order (EO) on “Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity (14028)” charges agencies to raise the cybersecurity bar, moving away from traditional perimeter-based, compliance oriented cybersecurity to a Zero Trust Architecture. This session will detail GSAs zero trust vision to connect GSA staff and devices, anywhere, to GSA managed environments/applications securely following ZTA principles in support of GSA’s mission.
Location
To be determined virtual
Who
Bo Berlas
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Cisco DNA Spaces
Oct 27th, 2021, 1:00pm - 1:30pm ET
Objective
Cisco DNA Spaces is a location-based analytics tool that can be used on wireless networks for asset management, enterprise application integrations, and location-data APIs.
Please join our next TechTalk to learn more about how GSA piloted DNA Spaces at our 1800 F Street location.
Location
Virtual
Who
Erik Williams
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New IT Standards/ Software Review Request (SRR)
Sep 30th, 2021, 11-11:30a ET
Objective
Introduction of the refreshed Software Review Request within the ServiceNow Self Service Portal, starting officially Oct 1, 2021!
The existing intake form and workflow is migrating from Salesforce Request Tracker to ServiceNow.
Presentation shall include a demo, overview of the workflow, as well as Accessibility and Security prerequisites.
Please come to this tech talk with any questions/concerns.
Who
Sean Zerges
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IT Systems Architecture in the Future
Sep 15th, 2021, 1-1:30p ET
Objective
IT systems must account for ever-increasing sophistication of business expectations and demands.
To satisfy them, we must think in terms of AI/ML, RPA, Dynamic BPM etc. But what does it mean to embed these capabilities into the architectures that we are designing and/or modernizing?
What are the practical considerations for designing robust, future-proof architectures? And is there a specificity for doing so within a Government-based IT organization?
That’s what we’ll attempt to address.
Who
Edward Meyman, Dept of Labor
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CUI
Aug 18th, 2021, 1-1:30p ET
Objective
Many of us could use a little help in understanding some of the more technical aspects of the new “Controlled Unclassified Information” (CUI) program that GSA implemented July 1st.
Would you like to know more about how the new CUI program works, and what makes it different from SBU, FOUO, Confidential, Sensitive, and other markings that were used in the past? Do you need a little clarification understanding all of the different CUI categories and not sure which one to use for your data?
Our CUI PMO will offer a Tech Talk to help kick-start you in the right direction so you can do your part as a valued GSA employee to help protect our data.
Who
Karen Overall and Andy Riordan
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GraphQL
Jul 15th, 2021, 11-11:30a ET
Objective
GraphQL is a query language for your API, and a server-side runtime for executing queries.
This tech talk will be an introduction to GraphQL, which will include core concepts like GraphQL Schema, Queries and Mutation.
We will also look at how GraphQL compares to other API technologies and finally touch up on how GraphQL fits into microservices architecture.
Who
Judewin Gabriel
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Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
Jun 24th, 2021, 1-1:30p ET
Objective
GSA’s RPA Program acts as the RPA Center of Excellence (COE) and the primary RPA Factory for GSA. The RPA Program is actively building and supporting automation efforts across GSA to include all CXOs. To date, the RPA Factory has delivered 90 automations and has a very healthy pipeline of automation projects. One unique feature of the GSA RPA Program is that the majority of the development is done by Government employees that have completed a rigorous training and certification program to “UpSkill” their capabilities and take advantage of this existing RPA technology.
The Federal RPA Community of Practice (CoP) was established to promote cross-government collaboration and the acceleration of the adoption of emerging technologies. We are focused on the aggregation and redistribution of federally based RPA “Best Practices and Lessons Learned”. In addition, we openly collaborate with Federal RPA Programs to address many common implementation hurdles, process challenges and technical barriers. All in an effort to provide knowledge based, foundational support for Agencies to help them navigate their respective RPA journeys.
Who
James Gregory
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Data Platforms
May 19th, 2021, 1-1:30p ET
Objective
The CDO office is working with various GSA stakeholders on a strategy and roadmap for data-related initiatives and investments.
Such GSA wide efforts will among others address data integration across the enterprise, analytics modeling and computing, data governance, and other opportunities that will allow GSA to avoid duplications and use data as a strategic asset. In this talk, Payman will present the core elements of the data strategy, vision for a GSA-wide data platform, and some of the related work that is already underway.
Who
Payman Sadegh
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10X De-risking Guide
May 11th, 2021, 11-11:30a ET
Objective
De-risking Guide.
Guidance for delivering successful custom technology projects in government.
Government software projects fail at an alarmingly high rate.
The de-risking guide was written to provide actionable guidance to the public sector for delivering custom technology projects successfully.
This research is based on 6 years of consulting with over 100 federal agency programs trying to modernize their information technology, written by 18F’s digital consultants, and was funded by 10x.
Who
Vicki McFadden and Randy Hart
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Google Scripts
Apr 20th, 2021, 11-11:30a ET
Objective
Google Apps Script, also know as Google Scripts, is a free programming language mostly based on an earlier version of JavaScript.
It includes built-in libraries for Google Workplace apps, but it’s flexible enough to bridge other development platforms, an example being HTML. This is a free of cost solution and no installation is required since the code editor is web-based. Many GSA employees use Google Scripts on a daily basis to enable data automation; in a way, it’s our in-house “robotics” solution.
Who
Rolo Sierra
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Authentify
Apr 14th, 2021, 1-1:30p ET
Objective
The Identity Portfolio in GSA’s Technology Transformation Services continues to advance best in class identity capabilities within government.
One area of focus is expanding the capabilities the government has today in determining if the user at the keyboard is the same person requesting government services.
One mechanism under pilot is with Early Warning Services, a company that is owned by multiple financial institutions, where a currently banked customer can attest to their identity through their bank.
We will talk about what this could mean for government identity verification and answer any questions the group has regarding this potential capability.
Who
Phillip Lam
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FITARA
Mar 17th, 2021, 11-11:30p ET
Objective
When the Federal Information Technology Act (AKA FITARA) came on the scene in December of 2014, its goal was to eliminate duplication and waste in information technology acquisition for the federal government.
Agencies were challenged not just to SAY what they were doing, but to literally SHOW quarterly how they were doing those things.
GSA’s been leading the way as the highest ranked agency for FITARA for several years now.
Come see how, and how FITARA impacts your day to day work in ways you might not have realized!
Who
Monica Fitzgerald and Mary Brockenborough
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10X Ideas/Projects
Feb 25th, 2021, 1-1:30p ET
Objective
The 10x program crowdsources ideas from federal employees all across the government and turns them into technology projects that improve the public’s experience with government.
10x will be funding new projects in April, which means now is a good time to submit your ideas.
At this tech talk, Will Cahoe will give a brief overview of how 10x works, discuss the specific topic areas that 10x wants ideas around, and give some advice for writing excellent submissions.
Who
Nico Papafil and William Cahoe
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Leveraging DevOps for AI Adoption
Jan 21st, 2021, 11-11:30a ET
Objective
Introduction to what MLOps and AIOps are and why they are important to drive AI adoption.
As the government looks towards AI as an enabling technology to inform decision making and drive mission outcomes, it is important to understand how AI fits into the existing IT framework.
Given the nature of AI development, understanding how it fits with agile methodologies and DevOps is critical for successful adoption.
Who
Krista Kinnard and Joseph Raetano
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10K Devops for Privacy Offices
Jan 7th, 2021, 1-1:30p ET
Objective
Building Tools to Help Privacy Officers Better Protect Personal Information.
Protecting the privacy of Americans is an essential function of our government and every agency has dedicated professionals who ensure that their agency is responsible for collecting and maintaining private information in its systems.
The problem is that many of these folks, called privacy officers, are not equipped with modern tools and many rely on paper-based processes to do their important work. This is a problem that seemed ripe for 10x investigation.
Over four phases of research and engineering, all while working closely with privacy offices across government, 10x has been able to address this gap by building a custom dashboard that allows privacy officers to do their jobs more quickly and more efficiently by quickly locating over 5,884 records based on the types of private information that is held in systems across government.
Who
Andrew Hyder and Nico Papafil
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AI/ML Challenge
Dec 9th, 2020, 1-1:30p ET
Objective
The OCTO team worked with FAS IT Category staff to conduct an online challenge on the challenge.gov platform during summer 2020.
We asked teams to use Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) to improve the process of reviewing End User License Agreements (EULAs).
The challenge received 20 submissions from individuals, companies, and students.
Ryan Day of the OCTO will share what we learned about the technology and data science methods from these solvers.
Who
Ryan Day
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Deep Analytics
Nov 18th, 2020, 1-1:30p ET
Objective
We are used to destination analytics; that is, going to some place called “My Dashboards” (or similar) and playing with datasets. We will touch upon some of these considerations.
But how about having the information “jump at you” in the context of your business transaction, adapted to a specific issue you are working on addressing? Just in time when you need it and precisely the way you need it.
This calls for deep analytics and entails a number of architectural approaches one should consider when designing and modernizing the IT systems.
Who
Edward Meyman, Dept of Labor
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Challenge.gov
Nov 5th, 2020, 1-1:30p ET
Objective
The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 provides the head of any federal agency with the authority to carry out prize competitions that have the potential to stimulate innovation and advance the agency’s mission.
Challenge.gov is the central hub of all federally sponsored prize competitions and has hosted over 1150 prize competitions from over 100 hundred agencies over the past decade.
We’ll discuss how federal agencies are using prize competitions as an open innovation mechanism to source technology from a diversity of participants by reducing barriers to participation.
Who
Jarah Meador
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Trello
Oct 28th, 2020, 1-1:30p ET
Objective
Trello is a recently FedRAMPED productivity, task management, and project management tool.
While similar collaborative Agile tools are geared towards IT teams, Trello has a much broader application.
This tech talk will introduce Trello basics, teach you how to get started, and show you some real-world examples at GSA. We’ll also briefly address the ‘why’s’ behind Trello, and when your team should consider its use.
Who
Andrew Politi
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OSCAL
Oct 21st, 2020, 1-1:30p ET
Objective
The Open Security Controls Assessment Language (OSCAL) enables automation of the authorization to operate (ATO) process. OSCAL is an emerging NIST standard for exchanging ATO package information in a machine-readable format.
The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) is enabling stakeholders to create and submit their packages in OSCAL.
In this tech talk you will learn more about the benefits of OSCAL, what is available today, how it applies to both cloud and legacy data center ATOs, and how you can get started.
Who
Brian Ruf
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ServiceNow Self Service Portal
Oct 7th, 2020, 1-1:30p ET
Objective
The self-service portal recently got a makeover and we’d like to show you these cool features!
Curie: The new name for Virtual Agent, honoring the innovative Marie Curie.
My Workbench: See your tickets, approval requests, and assigned equipment all in one place.
Supervisor’s Workbench: See your approval requests and your employees’ tickets and assigned equipment all in one place.
Favorites: Save your favorite articles and requests for easy access.
And more…
Who
Peter Blaney and Steve Gillespie
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GSA IT Collaboration Tools Professionals
Sep 9th, 2020, 1-1:30p ET
Objective
Different teams communicate in different ways. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution that meets the needs of every business and operational need.
So how are folks supposed to know what’s best for their activity? GSA IT’s service catalog includes a robust offering of Communications and Collaboration tools.
This Tech Talk provides a high level overview of the current offerings as well as touches on things to consider when determining what’s best for your team.
Who
Sean Zerges and Paul Powell
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Professional Development for IT Professionals
Sep 1st, 2020, 1-130p
Objective
Some people have ten years of experience, and other people have one year of experience ten times.
Are you intentional in your development as an IT Professional, or is your career simply happening to you? Rachel Surick and Ryan Day will share some strategies for Professional Development for IT Pros.
Learn about the new Cyber Career Pathways Tool, Intentional Development, Personal Branding, and becoming a T-Shaped Person.
Who
Rachel Surick and Ryan Day
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GSA Acquisition Fax Solutions
Jul 23rd, 2020, 1-130p
Objective
GSA, do you still need the ability to fax? GSA IT (IQ) has the solution for you. Using FoIP and our Gmail we can assist you with your faxing needs.
Faxing is still widely used between GSA and its user community. It is, for the most, part reliable and inexpensive to communicate. Many of our business partners still use this protocol to send and receive information.
Teleworking has created the need for “Virtual Faxing” and GSA employees can now send and receive faxes from their laptops. Physical fax machines are becoming a thing of the past.
The combination of FOIP and Gmail has allowed GSA users to now send and receive faxes. Faxing has always been a low cost portal for communication between GSA and its Faxing trading partners.
Who
Christine Palko
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10x
Jun 25th, 2020, 1-130p
Objective
What problem are you trying to solve?
10x is an incremental investment program within GSA’s Technology Transformation Services (TTS). 10x funds, supports, and develops ideas from federal employees about how technology can improve the public’s experience with the government.
Our approach to IT innovation is based on modern venture capital practices and is designed to spend fewer taxpayer dollars while ensuring the best products and services are funded.
10x spends the smallest amount of funding necessary at each stage of a project to determine whether or not it’s worth pursuing.
These iterative investments save money while ensuring that the products and services meet a real, verifiable need in the federal marketplace.
Who
Nico Papafil
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Digital Signature Solutions Docu Sign Federal
Jun 10th, 2020, 1-130p
Objective
DocuSign Federal, GSA’s new digital signature solution went live on October 1, 2019.
DocuSign is an intuitive, 508-compliant option that is sure to improve your overall user experience. This digital signature solution offers a robust menu and more drag-and-drop options making it easier than ever to sign and send your documents.
DSS also offers several APIs options which we are going to review during this Tech Talk.
Who
Sudhathi Suthrave
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Google Flutter
May 27th, 2020, 1-130p
Objective
Flutter is Google’s UI toolkit for building beautiful, natively compiled applications for mobile, web, and desktop from a single codebase.
Introduced in 2017, it is a growing platform that helps ease cross-platform application development.
It has brought a large number of noteworthy changes to the procedure of application development, which we are going to review during this Tech Talk.
Who
Brian Miguel
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Security Considerations with ATOs
May 20th, 2020, 1-130p
Objective
The Federal Assessment and Authorization (A&A) process and the requirements to achieve an Authorization to Operate (ATO) can seem so complicated.
Join Bo Berlas, GSA’s Chief Information Security Officer, to make sense of it all and review GSA’s Agile and risk-based approaches to ATO.
Who
Bo Berlas
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IDT Reorg
Apr 30th, 2020, 1-130p
Objective
The GSA IT Office of Digital Infrastructure Technologies (IDT), formerly the GSA IT Office of Infrastructure and Operations (IDI), is in the process of reorganizing in order to shift from project-based stovepipes into product-based plan/build/run or intake/broker/integrate/orchestrate teams.
The strategic value of this new business model lies in leveraging existing technology, resources and vendor relationships in a new utility service environment, while improving access and quality of services to clients, and reducing costs of delivery.
This Tech Talk will drill down into what Digital Transformation means to IDT, what benefits and changes customers can expect, and the activities IDT is initiating in order to innovate IT for tomorrow.
Who
Brian Muolo
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HSPD-12 vs. GACA
Apr 22nd, 2020, 1-130p
Objective
As GSA IT has expanded IT tools offerings and options for external access, questions have arisen about when HSPD-12 is required for vendors, and what alternate methods or mechanisms (e.g. GACA) can be used to share information? What are approved NIST 800-63 B Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) methods to be used for vendors and/or federal customers?
Join us for the upcoming Tech Talk for a Q&A session on this topic with Phil Klokis, Associate CIO for the Public Buildings IT Services, and Bo Berlas, the GSA Chief Information Security Officer.
Who
Phil Klokis and Bo Berlas
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Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) at GSA
Mar 31st, 2020, 1-130p
Objective
Learn more about how the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) are being used to modernize GSA applications. Hear about completed projects and projects on the horizon.
The goal is to transform agency systems from proprietary technologies to open source.
Transformation will simplify integrations with other systems; enable greater agility, resiliency, scalability, and performance, reduce the risk of scarce resource/talent pool and in long term lower the cost of operations, improve the quality of product, and help drive cultural change.
Who
Jason Donow and William Wales
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Zero Trust Road Map
Mar 18th, 2020, 1-130p
Objective
Traditional approaches to IT network security are based on the castle-and-moat concept. In castle-and-moat security, it is hard to obtain access from outside the network, but once inside the network, users are more or less considered trusted.
The problem with this approach is that once an attacker gains access to the network, they have more free reign over everything inside.
Zero Trust Network (ZTN) security is an IT security framework that requires strict identity verification for every person and device trying to access resources on a private network, regardless of whether they are sitting within or outside of the network perimeter.
No single specific technology is associated with zero trust; it is a holistic approach to network security that incorporates several different principles and technologies. In this tech talk, we introduce Zero Trust Network and GSA’s roadmap towards this security framework.
Location
Rm 5007
Who
Nadeem Ahmed and Armando Quintananieves
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AWS WorkSpaces
Feb 27th, 2020, 11-1130a
Objective
Amazon WorkSpaces enables the provision of virtual, cloud-based Microsoft Windows or Amazon Linux desktops for GSA user community, known as WorkSpaces. Amazon WorkSpaces eliminates the need to procure and deploy hardware or install complex software.
We can quickly add or remove users as the needs change. Users can access their virtual desktops from multiple devices or web browsers.
Amazon WorkSpaces provides the flexibility of either monthly or hourly billing for WorkSpaces. For Windows desktops, there’s an option to bring your own licenses and applications or purchase them from the AWS Marketplace for Desktop Apps.
Location
Rm 6324
Who
Kishore Kakani
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Historic Building Documentation Resource (HBDR)
Feb 13th, 2020, 1-130p
Objective
This talk is an overview of the Historic Building Documentation Resource (HBDR), also known as the BPP transition project. PBS-IT is currently managing the development of the HBDR interface for use by both the Center for Historic Buildings and supporting project teams assessing and rehabilitating historic buildings.
The goal is to offer a simplified solution for management of BPP data and related supporting documents while leveraging the power of the EDMS Alfresco environment.
We will review several of these capabilities today designed in Alfresco for the HBDR interface which contribute to the ease of BPP management and increased productivity for users.
Location
Rm 5321
Who
Hugo Martinez
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Privacy
Jan 29th, 2020, 9:30-11a
Objective
To mark Data Privacy Day, on January 29th, GSA will host a Privacy Tech Talk featuring the Chief Privacy Officer of the National Security Agency (NSA), Becky Richards and Technical Director of the NSA Privacy Office, Akbar Siddiqui. They will share guidance on how to ethically use Artificial Intelligence within federal agencies.
Richard Speidel, who is the Chief Privacy Officer at GSA, will also provide an introduction to this Tech Talk.
Who
Richard Speidel (GSA), Krista Kinnard (GSA), Becky Richards (NSA), and Akbar Siddiqui (NSA)
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Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Jan 14th, 2020,
Objective
Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence are terms that have received quite a bit of attention in recent years.
GSA is in the early phases of deploying machine learning to provide business value.
In this tech talk, we will discuss some examples of how machine learning is being used in industry and at GSA.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 2232
Who
Ryan Day
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BPM
Dec 12th, 2019,
Objective
In this first of upcoming BPM related Tech Talks, you will learn about optimizing your organizational processes through simulation with Trisotech, an enterprise tool suite.
Author and Enterprise Architect practitioner Dr. Joshua Fuehrer will discuss how you can use Trisotech to model and simulate to-be changes to business processes in order to examine if desired changes will make an impact. Josh will dive into Trisotech capabilities for simulation and provide an in-depth look at how you can lead within your organisation to help transform their business model; from both an efficiency and effectiveness perspective.
We are looking to continue this BPM topic in future tech talks which will include case management, capability or strategic management, and decision modeling.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 5213
Who
Dr. Joshua Fuehrer
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Records Management
Nov 21st, 2019, 11-1:30a
Objective
As technology has evolved and federal space has been reduced, the need for managing both physical and electronic records has grown in scale and complexity. In response to these challenges, EDMS Record Management Module helps GSA comply with federal records management statutes and regulations.
The Records Management Module (RMM) is a fully integrated component of the EDMS application and has already been utilized to declare over 3 million GSA documents as records, and growing.
On the tech Talk, there will be a demo of the RMM module, how content is declared a record and also what has been declared a record and how the RMM aligns with the NARA RM initiative.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 7119
Who
Hugo Martinez and Robert Chambers
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GSA API Strategy
Nov 14th, 2019, 1-1:30p
Objective
Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are a valuable method to share data with mobile apps, websites, and computer systems. GSA publishes many Public APIs for use outside of GSA. We also have many Non-Public APIs that are used to share functionality or data between GSA systems.
There is even a group inside GSA named the “GSA API Guild” that is dedicated solely to API best practices.
This tech talk will give a brief overview of APIs, along with an update on the agency’s activity with APIs in 2019 and goals for 2020.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 4232
Who
Ryan Day
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Open Source
Oct 10th, 2019, 1-1:30p
Objective
Code.gov is the federal government’s primary platform for aggregating Open Source Software.
With over 6000 OSS projects made available, Code.gov offers you the opportunity to discover and use thousands of available projects.
Join Code.gov director, Joe Castle, and lead engineer, Sara Cope, to learn more about Open Source Software, the Federal Source Code Policy, and updates to the Open Source Pilot Program.
This talk will also include a walk-through of the Code.gov platform.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 6324
Who
Joe Castle and Sara Cope
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USWDS
Sep 26th, 2019, 1-1:30p
Objective
The Rules of Play: Creativity and Constraint in the US Web Design System.
Designing and building a new government website or digital service requires both coherence with a practical, consistent baseline of user-friendly experience across government and the flexibility to adapt to the specific needs of your mission and audience.
The U.S. Web Design System (USWDS) is a digital design toolkit that helps teams achieve both these goals. We’ll take a look at how a design system like USWDS makes agile, iterative development faster, cheaper, and even more fun.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 2232
Who
Dan Williams
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JAMF Pro
Sep 12th, 2019, 1-1:30p
Objective
Jamf Pro is a comprehensive management suite for the Macintosh computer platform, and we use it at GSA to manage all our Macs.
The objective of this talk is to introduce you to Jamf Pro, to show you what it does, how it works, and how we utilize it at GSA to manage our Macs.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 3211
Who
Zachary Nilsston
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Email Management
Aug 22nd, 2019, 1-1:30p
Objective
GSA IT, working in partnership with the Office of Administrative Services, developed a solution in support of email records management (ERM).
ERM is important because maintaining messages beyond the records retention period poses a risk to the agency through eDiscovery.
The ERM working group developed a procedure of expunging from the GSA email system messages that are older than seven fiscal years.
So that users may preserve any of those older messages for personal reference use, GSA IT developed a Chrome extension that allows users to save those message outside the GSA email system–in this case Google Drive.
The Chrome extension saves messages as PDF documents and includes any attachments in their native form.
Without this tool users will have to print each message as PDF and manually combine with any attachments to store outside GSA email system.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 3211
Who
Amar Singh
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Mulesoft
Aug 8th, 2019, 1-1:30p
Objective
The Mulesoft Anypoint Platform focuses on unlocking data and building an application network via an API driven approach.
The Anypoint Platform is a suite of tools that allows users to develop, deploy, manage, secure and collaborate on APIs.
GSA is currently leveraging Mulesoft for Salesforce provisioning and there are projects underway in PBS and OGP.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 4232
Who
Joe Lawless
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Activiti
Jul 30th, 2019, 1-1:30p
Objective
Activiti, part of the EDMS platform, is an enterprise Business Process Management (OA) solution with the flexibility and scalability to handle a wide variety of workflow processes within GSA.
It provides a powerful suite of end user tools and integrates with a range of enterprise systems to allow for cross team/cross platform workflows.
Teams such as Occupancy Agreements (OA) and Digital Signatures (DSS) rely on Activiti as it’s workflow engine. Close integration with Alfresco allows workflows to drive compliance and records activity.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 6324
Who
Hugo Martinez
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Sprint-Based Requirements
Jul 18th, 2019, 1-1:30p
Objective
Provide an overview of Sprint-based Requirements and how the Platform Solutions team (ICPA) applies it to development projects.
Sprint-based Requirements allow IT teams to work closely with their customers to collect requirements and create user stories following a typical agile sprint format that run for two weeks with defined business topics and scope to discover during the sprints.
This format ensures that the ICPA team has a proper understanding of how to setup Salesforce standard objects, configure workflows, and setup reports / dashboards based on the needs of the business line.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 4232
Who
Anne Egan
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GRACE
Jun 27th, 2019, 1-1:30p
Objective
This talk is an overview of the GSA Readily Available Computing Environment (GRACE).
The GRACE is a cloud broker, designed for DevSecOps teams with a high level of technical proficiency.
We will go over GRACE capabilities today.
Also we will go over what will be improved, and what GRACE will be sharing with the greater community in the future.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 3232
Who
Bryan Alexander
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Alfresco
Jun 13th, 2019, 1-1:30p
Objective
Alfresco is the software behind EDMS.
The Tech Talk will be about the Upgrading of Alfresco to Version 6.0 and the additional attributes we gain by using it.
Tentatively scheduled for release later this summer.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 3022
Who
Richard Shaw
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GitHub
May 23rd, 2019, 1-1:30p
Objective
A Tour of GitHub for Non-Developers: GitHub is a collaboration platform where users can work on open source projects together.
In this session, we’ll take a look at the many GitHub features and get you up to speed with version control terminology.
We’ll also take a look at a few workflows in GitHub for contributing to open source projects without coding.
This is a beginner friendly session for someone who has little to no experience with GitHub.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 7115
Who
Sara Cope
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Google Design Sprint
May 1st, 2019, 1-1:30p
Objective
Identifying the right problem to solve is often overlooked when planning a new project. Problems are often framed as, we need to achieve compliance with “X” rather than our solution should make it easier to comply with “X”.
Going about this process in a systematic way can be a challenge, it’s not every day that you work to tackle the big problems within an organization.
Sprint is a book written by two ex-Googler’s who undertook many such challenges when working with clients to transform the way they work.
Sprint focuses on a 5 day, intensive set of sessions to break down issues, center the team on the right problems to solve, and produce prototypes quickly.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 4341
Who
Mark Vogelgesang
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Mac Attack
Apr 16th, 2019, 1-1:30p
Objective
Mac computers have become the go to tool for analysts and developers throughout GSA.
The Mac Attack Tech Talk will be centered around providing a current overview of Macs in the GSA environment and how they are supported, recent end user survey results, and the User Acceptance Testing process.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 6324
Who
Sean Zerges
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GSA API Strategy
Apr 4th, 2019, 1-1:30p
Objective
Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are a valuable way to share data with mobile apps, websites, and computer systems. GSA publishes many APIs for use by the public and GSA programs.
But how do we make sure that GSA’s APIs are high quality, secure, and consistent with each other? And how do we help people find and use our APIs?
This presentation will share the details of GSA’s API Strategy, and the three areas we are focused on to make it a reality: External Customer Experience, Internal Engagement, and Technical Architecture.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 6213
Who
Ryan Day
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GEAR Manager
Mar 21st, 2019, 1-1:30p
Objective
Many of us use the GSA EA Analytics and Reporting (GEAR) site as a source of rich information pertaining to GSA business application, FISMA systems, and IT standards.
However, any data is only reliable if it is regularly reviewed and updated. For this reason, the Enterprise Architecture team has created the GEAR Manager page, which provides an intuitive interface for users to quickly edit and update their data in GEAR and see these updates on the site in real time.
Please join us in this Tech Talk as the EA team discusses everything about the GEAR Manager page, from requesting access to making your first edits.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 6213
Who
Jonah Hatfield
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Agile Basics and Control
Mar 12th, 2019, 1-1:30p
Objective
This tech talk will cover two related topics:
First we’ll discuss Agile basics and how to get started in adopting Agile practices, as well as some of the benefits.
Second, we’ll outline some ways in which Agile practices can enhance accountability and transparency.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 3334
Who
Andrew Politi
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Qualtrics
Feb 7th, 2019, 1-1:30p
Objective
Qualtrics is a customer experience management platform that allows users to create surveys, dashboards, and graphics, in addition, to analyze and synthesize data.
This presentation will focus on Qualtrics as a platform and how to effectively create a survey. Surveys should be built with the user in mind, utilizing best practices based on behavioral science research.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 3211
Who
Sheev Dave
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NAAS
Jan 31st, 2019, 1-1:30p
Objective
Responding correctly to the National Alert and Accountability System (NAAS) notification messages is important for GSA’s accountability.
This tech talk will discuss details of notification types and your responsibility in responding.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 3211
Who
Buddy King
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Salesforce Lightning Experience
Jan 24th, 2019, 1-1:30p
Objective
Lightning Experience is Salesforce’s intuitive, intelligent interface, designed to support the way you work and help you be more productive.
With Lightning users can find insights more quickly, work more efficiently, and be connected across all devices.
During the Lightning Experience Tech Talk, Annie Egan from the ICPA team, will provide an overview about what Lightning is, highlight new and exciting features of the interface and discuss the Salesforce COE’s strategy for transitioning GSA to Lightning.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 3334
Who
Anne Eagan
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Account and Network Security for teleworks
Dec 6th, 2018, 1-1:30p
Objective
This presentation will focus on account and network security for teleworkers.
We’ll discuss keeping your networks and accounts safe.
We will also provide Information on the measures that should be in place as a teleworker.
Join us for some basic home user tips on remaining data aware and keeping the cyber criminals out.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 2143
Who
Stephanie Dillon
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Google Hangouts Closed Captioning
Nov 14th, 2018, 1-1:30p
Objective
Google Hangouts Closed Captioning and related features Tech Talk.
Learn how to close caption a video to post to InSite or gsa.gov.
Learn a shortcut using Google Drive and Caption Colorado if distributing via email.
Join us for this informative tech talk.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 5213
Who
Mark Buchko
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Use of a Mobile Device while Teleworking Security
Nov 1st, 2018, 1-1:30p
Objective
This presentation will focus on how the home user can work safely using their GFE mobile device as well as their BYOD and personally owned mobile device.
We will also discuss some of the basic requirements in operating these devices in the various operating environments.
Please join us for some basic mobile device safety tips to help protect GSA’s data as well as your own.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 2213
Who
Debra Smith
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IT Standards
Oct 25th, 2018, 1-1:30p
Objective
What’s new with IT Standards?
The IT Standards team is back!! We want to share updates, proposed changes, and tips to make the approval process easier.
Did you know that not all IT requests need to go through the approval process? How are we working to improve the GEAR IT Standards list? Can I search for an approved software by using the Category?
The IT Standards team wants to hear from you! Please join us at the Tech Talk and bring your questions.
We look forward to seeing you on October 25th!
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 3232
Who
Cindy Smith & IT Standards Team
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Use of a Computer while Teleworking Security
Oct 4th, 2018, 1-1:30p
Objective
This Tech Talk presentation will focus on how the home GSA user can work safely on their computers; both Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) and personally owned computers.
We will discuss the ways in which you can connect safely to GSA’s network and applications while remaining data aware.
Join us for some basic home user tips to aid you in working safely and keeping the cyber criminals out.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 4232
Who
Tamara Woodcock
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Geographical Information System (GIS) TechTalk
Sep 13th, 2018, 1-1:30p
Objective
Did you know?
Use case of GIS enterprise tools: GSA Publishes First Map of Executive Branch-owned and Controlled Real Property.
GSA published recently a geographic information system (GIS)-enabled map of the federal government’s centralized inventory of real property.
The Federal Real Property Profile (FRPP) Management System data, lists property under the custody and control of executive branch agencies, and is posted in accordance with the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 and represents the federal government’s inventory as of September 30, 2017.
The interactive map includes search and filter capabilities to view and assess the federal government’s real property holdings.
The public can use the tool to search for federal property in a certain geographic area, sort by federal agency and access information including whether the property is utilized, underutilized or not utilized.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 3232
Who
Horatio McDowney and Michael Hartung and Patricia Cheng
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Robotic Process Automation (RPA) TechTalk
Sep 5th, 2018, 1-1:30p
Objective
Robotics Process Automation (RPA) is automation of a manual process that is largely rules based, structured, and repetitive using software robots (bots).
There are two pilots being conducted at GSA right now.
Come join us to learn more about this technology and how GSA stood up a working solution for a pilot and learn where we are headed next!
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 6232
Who
Jasmeen Bowmaster
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Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) Taxonomy Maintenance
Aug 23rd, 2018, 1-1:30p
Objective
Learn more about how the Taxonomy is used and managed within the GSA EDMS (Electronic Document Management System). We will pick up the discussion where we left off in the previous EDMS Tech Talk and Taxonomy Tech Talk.
During the presentation, we will focus on the EDMS Team’s taxonomy governance process by showing how changes to terms and structure are identified and implemented.
Finally, we will discuss how GSA can readily use and share existing taxonomies and authority control sources to enhance metadata and achieve interoperability.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 1147
Who
Sara Mooney and Angela Pitts
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GSA's Electronic Document Management System (EDMS)
Aug 9th, 2018, 1-1:30p
Objective
Learn more about the GSA’s EDMS system and how you can use it to help formalize the way you manage documents and electronic records.
During this presentation, we will explain what an EDMS is and how it can help your organization be more efficient. We will also explain the difference between EDMS and Google Drive and when you should use each tool.
Finally, we will show the process for moving your content onto the EDMS so that you can prepare to work with the EDMS team if you are interested.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 3232
Who
Dean Grady and Joe Hilger
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Battle of Bots
Jul 31st, 2018, 1-1:30p
Objective
Have you ever been interested in machine learning but didn’t know how to start? Lindsay Young will share her tribulations in making a simple machine learning app.
She’ll go over how it works and what code libraries are available for exploration. You will get an understanding of what situations make for good machine learning opportunities, and how to evaluate your options to know if you should use it for a given task.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 4232
Who
Lindsay Young
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Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)
Jul 17th, 2018, 1-1:30p
Objective
The Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) Program is coming to GSA! This new program, to be implemented across all Executive Branch agencies, will standardize the way agencies mark, handle, and share information that is unclassified but requires protection. Types of information that will be affected include PII, SBU, legal info, contracts, bids, etc. Tune in July 17th to learn more about the program and implementation plans for GSA.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 3334
Who
Karen Overall
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Grace IaaS Cloud
Jun 26th, 2018, 1-1:30p
Objective
GRACE is the new GSA enterprise cloud platform offering. The platform offers near full automation of IaaS capability to quickly on-board new tenants and empower them with self-provisioning capability.
So, what is it, how does it work, and how can you get started with it? Kishore from the CTO team will provide information on the core principles, architecture details, automation workflow, and core components of the GRACE platform.
We will talk about “why GRACE?” and compare it with other GSA’s IaaS offerings. We will also briefly touch on “incremental ATO process”, which is being developed in collaboration with the security team to build GRACE platform.
This is another interesting Tech Talk related to the topic of the Cloud!
Location
Virtual and 1800F Rm 3334
Who
Kishore Kakani
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Section 508 Testing for Developers
Jun 14th, 2018, 1-1:30p
Objective
Andrew Starling (IAE) and Dan Perkins (GSA IT Section 508 team) have worked together in conducting Section 508 testing during the design and development of beta.sam.gov.
This Tech Talk will provide an overview of their Section 508 testing processes and how they complement each other.
Mark Buchko (GSA IT Section 508 team) will also give an overview of the automated testing tool AMP (Accessibility Management Platform by Level Access) that is available to everyone in GSA.
This is the second tech talk related to the topic of IT Standards.
Location
Virtual and 1800F
Who
Andrew Starling, Dan Perkins, and Mark Buchko
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Cloud.gov Quick Start and Whirlwind Tour
May 24th, 2018, 1-1:30p
Objective
Cloud.gov is the TTS-operated platform-as-a-service for the federal government.
So, what is it, how does it work, and how can you get started with it?
Peter with the cloud.gov team will walk you through deploying a database-backed web application, and illustrate how cloud.gov is different from other cloud offerings.
In particular, the Cloud Foundry-based PaaS offloads much of the work that IaaSes require for security and compliance – saving you money and vastly speeding up time to delivery.
Location
Virtual and 1800F
Who
Peter Burkholder
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Cloud Strategy
May 10th, 2018, 1-1:30p
Objective
Everyone talks about the Cloud and how it is important in the present and the future. Have you ever wondered where GSA IT is headed in the area of the Cloud?
Do you know that GSA will be using SaaS, IaaS and PaaS?
Navin will explain where we are and where we are heading in this technology frontier.
Come join us for the unveiling of the GSA-IT Cloud Strategy!
Location
Virtual and 1800F
Who
Navin Vembar
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IT Standards Team
Apr 26th, 2018, 1-1:30p
Objective
Have you ever needed a new software loaded onto your work laptop?
Where do you start, who do you contact, what information do you even need to begin?
Never fear the GSA IT Standards team is here!!
We will take you through the steps of acquiring the software you need. We will start in GEAR searching through GSA approved software that can be used, to searching GEAR for an alternative that may meet your need.
We will discuss our ‘New Software’ request form, talk about why we ask the questions we do, and how your responses can assist us in moving your ticket through the approval process.
We want to share with you the steps we must complete, the reviews that are required, and the approvals that must be acquired.
We also want to hear from you, so join us on April 26th and bring your questions.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Room 4232
Who
Cindy Smith and Gokul Ramamoorthy
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Parametric and Logical Types for Programming and Architecture
Apr 16th, 2018, 1-1:30p
Objective
Below is this Tech Talk’s Objective. All are welcome, but it is a more Technical topic than most Tech Talks
Milner’s slogan “Well typed programs can’t go wrong” characterizes type-safe computation
Strongly typed languages with static type checking allow both parametric polymorphism and lifting their logic to the type system. This constructive logic is sound and complete. UML templates allow us to represent such type-safe computation in a technical architecture.
Rick will introduce parametric and logical types for programming and architecture with examples from both Java Generics and UML templates. Participants are encouraged to read Rick’s paper “Parametric and Logical Types for Model-Driven Engineering” before the talk.
We will discuss the results of industrial research on static type systems used by Facebook (Flow) and Microsoft (TypeScript) with JavaScript. We will identify adoption risk of weakly and dynamically typed languages such as Perl, PHP and Python.
Paper: Parametric and Logical Types for Model-Driven Engineering
Location
Virtual and 1800F Room 2002
Who
Rick Murphy
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Digital Signature Solutions
Mar 22nd, 2018, 1-1:30p
Objective
Digital Signatures Solutions (DSS) is THE enterprise wide secure signing solution in GSA today!
This tool that is used to incorporate digital signatures on all paperless transactions is known as e-SignLive.
We offer vanilla out of the box solutions to those who need it, as well as customized and integrated and API driven solutions for those who require more specific customization depending on their use case.
As of today, we have 3000+ users.
We offer informal, need based individual training to user groups. These meetings are held using Adobe meeting space and can have a number of attendees ranging from 2 to close to 200. Come to the Digital Signature Solutions Tech Talk to learn more about how this product can help you and your organization.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Room 3022
Who
-
GSA IT Strategy with Balanced Scorecard
Mar 8th, 2018, 1-1:30p
Objective
Have you ever read an IT Strategic Plan with jargon and buzzwords that left you scratching your head and saying, “What did I just read?”. When was the last time you referenced an IT Strategic Plan and remembered the goals, mission, or vision? An IT Strategic Plan should be clear, concise, and understandable to all audiences.
For our latest GSA IT Strategic Plan (FY 2018-2020,) GSA IT used a new strategic planning approach based on the industry best practice, Balanced Scorecard. The Balanced Scorecard is a system that connects an organization’s strategy with performance management and simplifies how we communicate what we are trying to accomplish. A key principle of the Balanced Scorecard is how we view our IT strategy through four perspectives - customers, stewardship ($), internal processes, and organization growth (our people, tools, and technology).
This TechTalk will discuss the new strategic planning process we took to develop the GSA IT Strategic Plan and involve over 75+ employees in the strategy sessions.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Room 3143
Who
Peter Lenentine and Roland Chan
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Everything You Always Wanted to Know about SLACK But Were Afraid to Ask
Mar 1st, 2018, 1-1:30p
Objective
Slack is a chat client that provides a centralized way to communicate in channels that you want–about projects that matter to you–without overloading your inbox. The name is actually an acronym for “Searchable Log of All Conversation and Knowledge”. It will not replace our current tools such as gmail, hangouts, google docs, Chatter etc… In fact, within Slack you can share links to content from those tools in a seamless way, to work directly with team members on specific projects. For example, if you work with a core group of people on a project, you can work within a specific channel (that you can request be created) to converse, share documents, and have a searchable log of all of your activity.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Room 5115
Who
Monica Fitzgerald
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Manufacturing your infrastructure with Terraform with Aidan Feldman
Feb 8th, 2018, 11a-11:30a
Objective
“Ok, to set up this system, go to the EC2 page in the Console, then click ‘New Instance’. Oh, sorry, that button moved - go to the Instances page first. Go ahead and create- wait, you made the subnets already, right? What about the Security Groups?”
Sound familiar? Manual setup and configuration of infrastructure can be time-consuming, tedious, confusing, and error-prone. Computers are really good at following instructions - why don’t we let the computers follow the instructions for us? Better yet, what if there were a tool where we tell it what we want the infrastructure to look like, and it magically figures out how to build it?
This talk will make you wonder how you ever lived without infrastructure as code, and show how Terraform can be used to turn your devops up to 11.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Room 4232
Who
Aidan Feldman
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Taxonomy with Angela Pitts
Jan 25th, 2018, 1p-1:30p
Objective
In the world of Knowledge Management, Taxonomy is a discipline focused on the building of classically structured hierarchies of terms that are used to represent defined concepts. Typically, the hierarchy which is leveraged within a system is also called a taxonomy. The system employs the taxonomy to classify documents, digital assets and other information. In addition to categorizing content to improve findability (navigation and search), a taxonomy also allows content to be discovered. In these fast-paced times, taxonomies are expanding beyond the classic hierarchy to include semantic networks (often referred to as ontologies), thesauri and established lexicons (controlled vocabularies). Leveraging new tools, taxonomy development and maintenance can ideally fit into any Continuous Improvement plan. The use of new strategies and tools also promotes interoperability and improves the flow of information through enterprise systems. As a result, organizational barriers continue to be broken down so information can be more effectively used and reused.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Room 4143
Who
Angela Pitts
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Conducting an Agile Project with Alicia Cyrus
Jan 11th, 2018, 1p-1:30p
Objective
Are you looking to increase cross-functional communication and transparency, while better engaging end users and showing progress more rapidly for your projects or pilots? Depending on the nature of the effort, an Agile approach can help you achieve your goals! Join us as Alicia Cyrus presents the CTO Office recommendations and resources for conducting an Agile project.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Room 4113
Who
Alicia Cyrus
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Privacy with Richard Speidel
Dec 7th, 2017, 1p-1:30p
Objective
Heard about the Equifax breach? Were you affected by it or any other recent cyber security or privacy incident? Ever wonder what GSA IT is doing in the area of information privacy? Come to the Privacy Tech Talk and listen to Richard Speidel and the privacy team talk about the importance of Privacy here at GSA IT and get answers to any questions you may have.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Room 2213
Who
Richard Speidel
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Github with Sara Cope
Nov 16th, 2017, 1p-1:30p
Objective
A Tour of GitHub for Non-Developers: GitHub is a collaboration platform where users can work on open source projects together. In this session, we’ll take a look at the many GitHub features and get you up to speed with version control terminology. We’ll also take a look at a few workflows in GitHub for contributing to open source projects without coding. This is a beginner friendly session for someone who has little to no experience with GitHub.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Room 3211
Who
Sara Cope
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TBM with Megan Sikora
Nov 2nd, 2017, 1p-1:30p
Objective
Ever find yourself always trying to answer the question of why IT costs what it does or a cost per user? Do your customers want more information as to what drives the cost of the services GSA IT delivers, but you find yourself answering questions with more question? What if there was a standard taxonomy and model that once loaded with the copious amounts of data that we possess that could answer those questions? In fact, what if those questions could be answered and we could drive both ourselves and our users to more efficient and effective uses of our IT? This answer does exist within our Cost Transparency Initiative, utilizing Technology Business Management. Please join us for this TechTalks to learn more about cost transparency and how we can shape business demand and deliver value for money.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Room 3334
Who
Megan Sikora
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GEAR with Chris Campbell
Oct 26th, 2017, 1p-1:30p
Objective
Maybe you’ve heard someone talking about GEAR, and want to know what it’s all about. Or maybe you’ve used GEAR to check if a certain technology is approved at GSA. Did you know you can export all of these reports? Do you know how to see which applications belong to a single 2-letter office? Do you know how to get incorrect information updated? The EA team will provide a demo that will walk through the basic lists managed within GEAR, as well as some less-well-known ways to search for your favorite information. Come and see how much information is already available at your fingertips!
Location
Virtual and 1800F Room 3334
Who
Chris Campbell
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Data Sciences October 5th with Amirah Aziz
Oct 5th, 2017, 1p-1:30p
Objective
Opportunities for data scientists—one of today’s hottest skills—are rapidly growing in response to the exponential amounts of data being captured and analyzed. Data scientists are needed in GSA to find insights into this data and to solve meaningful business problems within the agency. In this talk, we’ll explore what it means to be a data scientist as well as data science process workflow, tools, technology, and upcoming GSA training in Data Science.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Room 5213
Who
Amirah Aziz
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Salesforce Lightning for Gmail with Prerana Bhatt
Sep 21st, 2017, 1p-1:30p
Objective
Salesforce Lightning for Gmail is a brand new way to experience Salesforce right from within Gmail for CRM customers. Lightning for Gmail provides ability to integrate Salesforce with Google G Suite email and calendar applications. Salesforce team will provide demo to highlight how users can perform various actions in Salesforce from within Gmail which helps to increase productivity, efficiency and eliminates duplicate efforts.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Room 2213
Who
Prerana Bhatt
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Google App Scripts to the Rescue! With Mark Vogelgesang
Sep 7th, 2017, 1p-1:30p
Objective
Recently, Google App Scripts were made available for development by everyone at GSA. App Scripts yield tremendous power and can help automate many tasks that previously required manual intervention. For instance, do you want to automatically send calendar invites based on form responses? Or perhaps you want to scan a particular team folder to ensure that sharing settings are as expected. With a little bit of javascript knowledge, you can quickly start producing scripts for use by yourself and your team. In the talk, we will cover some app script basics, talk about the approval process for their use at GSA, and a quick example app.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Room 2213
Who
Mark Vogelgesang
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DevSecOps – A Case Study (D2D migration to Cloud) with Kishore Kakani
Aug 17th, 2017, 1p-1:30p
Objective
The objective of this tech talk is to explain the use of DevSecOps framework to migrate application workloads to cloud. The CTO team is collaborating with various teams (incl. IDI, security, and application development leads) to define and build DevSecOps framework to help migrate application workloads to cloud. The goal is to ‘develop/deploy/operate’ through automation. As part of this journey, the CTO team worked closely with the D2D team to migrate D2D applications to cloud by building some of these automation pieces and work towards that final goal of developing automated CI/CD pipelines. In this presentation, we will go over the D2D migration steps in detail and understand how DevSecOps automation process can help build repeatable infrastructure/application deployments with minimal manual intervention, and shorter provisioning times.
Location
Virtual and 1800F Room 3334
Who
Kishore Kakani
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Creating InSite pages with Joy Gatewood
Aug 10th, 2017, 1p-1:30p
Objective
Have you ever wondered how to create InSite pages? And perhaps why? And how you could maximize your InSite pages to improve acceptance of your program? Maybe you’ve wondered how you could create self help pages that for your customers - that also cuts down on phone calls, emails and meetings?
We’ll quickly walk through how to request an InSite page. Then provide a quick overview of GSA’s style guides that include federal guidelines and laws that you must keep in mind when creating online content.
Finally, we’ll show how helping customers complete their tasks on your InSite pages can improve customer satisfaction, and improve productivity and efficiency.
Slides will be shared that will go into more depth and include:
analyzing InSite page visits with Google Analytics analyzing searches and using the results to understand your customer’s keywords improving your InSite pages’ Search Engine Optimization (SEO) using a shortcut - like insite.gsa.gov/myprogram - as an easy way to communicate with your customers and improve your branding using customer feedback - like “Rate This Page” to continuously improve your Insite pages by using the voices of your customer If you’re mystified by InSite and don’t know where to start this talk is for you.
Location
Virtual and 1800F room 4143
Who
Joy Gatewood
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Data-to-Decisions (D2D) & GSA with Kris Rowley
Jul 26th, 2017, 1p-1:30p
Objective
D2D is a GSA-wide initiative and cultural shift to bring GSA datasets together, ensure consistency of reporting, and empower employees at all levels with the outcome of building a data-driven organization. It is a capability used to aggregate data, store data securely using modern cloud technology, and develop flexible reports for your customers. During this tech talk, Kris Rowley, GSA Chief Data Officer, will present D2D’s portal capabilities, offer discussion around what D2D can do to help better support our daily jobs, and answer any data related questions specific to the business. The D2D team hopes to continue contributing to the to the improvement of GSA’s overall customer experience by helping reach insights quickly, collaborate meaningfully, and build a community around data.
Location
Virtual and 1800F
Who
Kris Rowley, GSA Chief Data Officer
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Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and GSA
Jul 20th, 2017, 1p-1:30p
Objective
Do you ever wonder how applications are synced across multiple devices? How you are able to receive instant updates to your mobile apps? This is possible because of Application Programming Interfaces, or APIs. APIs are software programs that enable computer programs and systems to talk directly to each other.
If you would like to understand how APIs work, then this Tech Talk is for you! Ryan Day and Joe Castle of IC and the GSA Digital Service team are going to explain APIs with particular focus on data transfer over web protocols and RESTful design with considering endpoints, nouns, and verbs. They will also demonstrate popular commercial and GSA examples while discussing the value they provide to the Agency and end consumers. Furthermore, information will be provided about GSA’s API strategy, API inventory, and API standards for those wanting to create APIs.
Location
Virtual and 1800F
Who
Ryan Day and Joe Castle
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Application Performance Monitoring within GSA's PBS IT
Jun 20th, 2017, 1p-1:30p
Objective
IT applications are getting more robust and complicated each year. Applications developers are expected to deliver more features while improving application performance for end users.
This can be a challenging endeavor without the right tool to baseline and track application performance and identify where the bottlenecks are occurring.
During this tech talk, Phil Klokis and Allen Samuel will present how PB-ITS has used Riverbed ARX to improve application performance and identify usage of the application in supporting application rationalization activities.
Location
Virtual and 1800F
Who
Phil Klokis and Allen Samuel
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The Agile Product Owner: Beyond the Books & Classrooms
Jun 6th, 2017, 1p-1:30p
Objective
As organizations embark on Agile transformation, many traditional project managers or business and technical leads are often assigned the Product Owner role with limited (or no) training or even an understanding of what the new role truly entails. In the midst of changing environments, conflicting mindsets, and other change-related issues, they are expected to start operating within a Scrum team after a few days of CSPO training and perhaps some reading. So, what are some of the tools and real-life experience required from a Product Owner?
During this Tech Talk, Alicia Cyrus will explore the differences between product ownership and traditional project management, and share some approaches on how Product Owners can effectively manage relationships and the responsibilities of their new role.
Location
Virtual and 1800F
Who
Alicia Cyrus, CTO Office
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Internet of Things & GSA/PBS
May 17th, 2017, 1p-1:30p
Objective
Did you know that PBS at GSA uses The Internet of Things for Their Smart Buildings? The next Tech Talk on May 17th at 1 pm will have GSA-PBS IT’s Charles Matta and Andrew Vanjani sharing their insights into this very exciting topic.
They will talk about PBS and smart buildings, and The Internet of Things within the building industry, PBS, Federal Facilities and the real estate industry. How it works, Applications, Risks/Rewards, Cybersecurity, Contracting, Innovation and Opportunities will all be discussed.
Location
Virtual and 1800f
Who
Charles Matta and Andrew Vanjani
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Version Control and GitHub
May 9th, 2017, 1p-1:30p
Objective
Version control software allows multiple people to manage changes to a project at the same time without getting in each other’s way. At GSA, we use it to help share and collaborate on open source software but it can be used for many other things as well. In this session, we’ll talk about the basics of version control, look at how you might use it on your projects and take a tour of the GitHub ecosystem. This is a beginners session and no coding experience is required.
Please join Sara Cope from the CTO Office in this Tech Talk for a friendly introduction to Version Control and GitHub.
Location
Virtual
Who
Sara Cope, CTO Office
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DevOps
Apr 25th, 2017, 1p-1:30p
Objective
DevOps is a growing collection of practices that unify software development, QA, IT operations, and security. These practices are primarily focused on two areas: cultural change and process automation. By applying DevOps principles to our IT products, we can realize better product quality, lower costs, shorter lead time to release changes, increased reliability, and happier customers.
Please join Jeff Fredrickson from the CTO Office for this Tech Talk to learn more about DevOps and how GSA can benefit from it.
Location
Virtual and 1800F
Who
Jeff Fredrickson, CTO Office
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Solutions Strategy
Apr 11th, 2017, 1p-1:30p
Objective
Like most organizations, GSA IT is embracing the shared services model to optimize common IT functions to more efficiently meet GSA’s mission of delivering best value in real estate, acquisition and technology services. This means re-evaluating the way GSA IT defines and creates IT solutions and investment strategies for the enterprise.
In 2016, GSA IT established Solutions Strategy Division within the Office of the CTO to partner with you to innovate, guide and architect IT solutions that fit your needs and support GSA IT’s shared services model.
Please join Akanksha Sharma from the CTO Office in this Tech Talk to learn more about how Solutions Strategy is helping GSA move to a shared services model. Furthermore, she will explain how to engage with the division for assistance with your current and future projects.
Location
Virtual and 1800F
Who
Akanksha Sharma, CTO Office
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Agile Behaviors
Mar 30th, 2017, 1p-1:30p
Objective
Like most organizations, GSA is embracing Agile to more effectively respond to rapid market opportunities, and is investing in approaches that facilitate the delivery of business value and quality products to its internal and external customers.
So, is there a “right” way to becoming Agile? Should an organization care about “going” Agile or better business results?
Please join Lulit Tesfaye and Alicia Cyrus from the CTO Office in this Tech Talk. They will discuss what Agile behaviors look like at the Team, Program and Organization level; enabling a supporting environment and share resources from coaching pilot Agile teams across GSA organizations.
Location
Virtual and 1800F
Who
Lulit Tesfaye and Alicia Cyrus, CTO Office
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GSA Digital Services
Mar 14th, 2017, 1p-1:30p
Objective
Technology in the federal sector is rapidly changing with focus on new technologies to meet emerging customer and end user needs. Design elicitation, rapid and continuous software deployments, open source technologies, sprint management cycles, etc., are the new norm. This talk will provide insight into Digital Services at GSA, how it started, its focus, and current projects.
Location
Virtual and 1800F
Who
Joseph Castle, Digital Service Team, CTO
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Open Source at GSA
Feb 28th, 2017, 1p-1:30p
Objective
In this Tech Talk, Joseph Castle and Jeffrey Fredrickson from the Digital Services Division provided an overview of the OMB and GSA policies, discussed implementation and measurement, and discussed the importance of OSS to the agency.
Location
Virtual and 1800F
Who
Joseph Castle and Jeffrey Fredrickson, Digital Service Team, CTO
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A Look into the CTO's Office
Feb 21st, 2017, 1p-1:30p
Objective
The Office of the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is responsible for driving innovation and modernizing technologies for GSA. In this Tech Talk, Navin Vembar, GSA CTO, provided the CTO vision for the future of technology at GSA, what services the office provides, and information about the projects currently underway.
Location
Virtual and 1800F
Who
Navin Vembar, GSA Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
