Grams will be working with NIST director Bill Jeffrey and the NIST team to support the President's American Competitiveness Initiative, according to a statement e-mailed to Computerworld.

"The CFO position at NIST is a perfect match at this point in my life - both professionally and personally," Grams said in the statement. "I will have the opportunity to lead NIST's business systems, budget, finance, procurement, and grants."

Grams joined the IRS in February 2001 as CFO after more than two decades at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Office of Management and Budget. His leadership at the agency helped the IRS obtain its first-ever clean financial opinion from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the IRS said. In June 2003, Grams was selected for the CIO job, which involves overseeing a staff of about 7,000 people and a budget of US$1.8 billion.

"Todd has made an invaluable contribution to the agency since he became [CIO] three years ago," said IRS Commissioner Mark Everson in the statement. "He brought credibility to the IRS modernization effort, and he helped oversee successful implementation of several key programs. He also helped recast the IT organization, achieving greater efficiencies and hiring more technical professionals."

It was not clear exactly when Grams will take over his new duties at NIST, and the IRS said Wednesday no date has been announced for his departure.