United States Digital Service

We’re solving big problems

Millions of people use Federal Government services every day. Veterans apply for health care. Immigrants apply for naturalization. Too often, outdated tools and complex systems make these interactions cumbersome and frustrating.

To improve these services, USDS hires top technologists into term-limited ‘tours of civic service.’ By working alongside civil servants, they help build better tools for the people.

Learn about our mission

Shipping code, delivering services

Our small, highly empowered teams use their expertise to develop human-centered solutions to the Federal Government’s most pressing technical challenges. Explore a few of our projects.

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Cross-agency Changing how the government hires technical talent

We helped develop a process that allows HR to leverage subject matter experts to evaluate candidates for specialized roles. The result restores fair and open access for all applicants, shortens the hiring timeline, and ensures applicants are truly qualified.

Health and Human Services Modernizing the Medicare Payment System

Eight million lines of COBOL and 2.5 million lines of assembly running on 15 mainframes. 4.5 percent of the entire American economy is fueled by Medicare payments and 53 million people depend on it for their healthcare.

Veterans Affairs Helping Veterans upgrade their Discharge Status

A customized, plain language tool gives Veterans step-by-step guidance for submitting a strong application to upgrade their discharge status.

Health and Human Services Empowering beneficiaries with their own health data

Leveraging CMS APIs, providers can view of their patients’ full healthcare history without patient intervention. Providers save valuable time that they can better spend talking to patients and preventing conflicts or gaps in care.

Veterans Affairs Simplifying Veteran‑facing services through VA.gov

Each month, over 10 million people attempt to access the digital tools and content at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and have historically struggled to find what they’re looking for. Digital modernization efforts needed to focus on improving the user experience.

Department of Homeland Security Helping schools keep students safe

A website that empowers emergency managers and K–12 administrators with the information they need to improve school safety.

Cross-agency Improving how the government buys technology

As the pace of innovation has accelerated, the government’s ability to meet people’s expectations of functional digital solutions has not kept pace. To meet this demand, we created an immersive development and training program to improve digital services acquisition expertise across government agencies.

Health and Human Services Implementing a new, quality-based Medicare payment system

The Quality Payment Program API makes it easy for clinicians to submit quality metrics to CMS and for the government to review and return feedback promptly, which leads to greater health outcomes for patients and a more positive experience with value-based care for providers.

By the people, for the people

Every person, from all walks of life, interacts with their government. We hire technologists from diverse backgrounds to improve the services that millions rely on. Meet a few staff members who have signed on for tours of civic service.

Meet more staff

Alum / Engineering Robbie Holmes

“I am intrigued to see what will be able to engage me and feel as impactful as my time here!”

Alum / Engineering Tracy Chou

“Serving a tour of duty with USDS is not only good for the country but also a great opportunity for you as a technologist.”

Staff / Product Fatima Noor

“I love that we prioritize delivering the most meaningful impact to communities that need it the most.”

Alum / Engineering David Holmes

“It’s not about how can we maximize digital ad space or make conversion rates better, but how we can use technology to really make a difference in someone’s life.”

Alum / Product Kasia Chmielinski

“Making responsible decisions about complex issues requires representation at the table where the decisions are being made.”

Alum / Communications David Kaufman

“But when you serve at USDS, you wake up every day, serve your country, and have the opportunity to change the lives of millions of Americans.”

Alum / Engineering Matt Might

“Everyone I worked with at USDS brought talent, a can-do spirit and a belief that together we could make the country better.”

Alum / Product Kelly Taylor

“If you are thinking about totally disrupting your comfortable lifestyle and moving to Washington, D.C., for a family adventure like we did...”

Staff / Design Jenn Noinaj

“USDS’ value is in delivery and building capacity. We’re able to work on projects to take an idea to implementation, and guide teams on best practices for how to continue this momentum even after we’re gone.”