18F is a government digital services organization within GSA that focuses on improving interactions between government and citizens through user-centric solutions. With over 1,200 repositories, they specialize in developing digital tools like analytics reporting systems for government programs.
GSA has eliminated 18F, a government tech consultancy team of approximately 90 employees, declaring it 'non-critical' under White House-directed workforce reductions. The decision impacts a decade-old office that completed 450 government tech projects, including the IRS Direct File system and ada.gov redesign. The closure aligns with broader Trump administration efforts to reduce federal workforce and consulting functions.
Federal employees share their experiences building digital tools that millions of Americans use daily for government services. These builders have worked behind the scenes to improve accessibility to tax filing, veterans' benefits, and various crisis-response initiatives, while emphasizing their commitment to public service over political entities.
DOGE employees have been ordered to stop using Slack while the agency transitions from the Office of Management and Budget to the Executive Office of the President, potentially limiting public access to records under FOIA. The move raises concerns among government experts about transparency and accountability, as records would only become accessible years after a president leaves office under the Presidential Records Act.