GSA shutters 18F digital services unit amid federal workforce reductions

GSA has disbanded its 18F digital services unit, effective immediately, as part of the Trump administration's broader initiative to streamline government operations and reduce expenditures, according to Reuters. The decision, communicated in a late-night email by Thomas Shedd, Director of GSA's Technology Transformation Services (TTS), aligns with directives to eliminate "non-essential consulting" functions within federal agencies.

Established in 2014 under the Obama administration, 18F functioned as an internal consultancy, collaborating with various federal agencies to enhance digital services and implement technological solutions. Notably, the team played a pivotal role in developing Login.gov, a centralized authentication system utilized across multiple government platforms.

The shutdown affects approximately 90 employees, including product managers, engineers, and designers. This move is part of a series of workforce reductions at GSA, which has been directed to cut spending by half impacting personnel, payroll, and contracts.

The closure of 18F has elicited strong reactions from former employees and industry observers. Carter Baxter, a former 18F staff member, expressed on LinkedIn that the team was "absolutely driven to make government work better," lamenting the abrupt termination as detrimental to governmental efficiency.

The dissolution of 18F raises concerns about the future of ongoing digital transformation projects within the federal government. Agencies that relied on 18F's expertise may face challenges in advancing or maintaining technological initiatives aimed at improving public services. ​