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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IT Systems Architecture in the Future
September 15, 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
August 18, 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
July 15, 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)
June 24, 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 19, 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 11, 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
April 20, 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
April 14, 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
March 17, 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
February 25, 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
