The Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) – administered by the General Services Administration (GSA) – has issued its fiscal year (FY) 2023 Impact Report, offering a detailed look into the fund’s investments over the past year and a look ahead to what’s in store for 2024.
The TMF was created in 2017 under the Modernizing Government Technology Act to provide money to Federal civilian agencies to undertake IT modernization projects. The fund received a $1 billion cash infusion from Congress in 2021 through the American Rescue Plan (ARP).
Notably, the new report says all TMF projects in FY2023 were made with ARP funding, with a grand total of $177 million invested in 18 new projects across 17 agencies.
The TMF Program Management Office (PMO) found that 95 percent of its investment partners would recommend TMF to their colleagues. Additionally, the TMF PMO said it reduced the average initial transfer time from FY2022 to FY2023 by 17 business days.
“The TMF Board scaled our investment and program impact, focusing on customer experience, data protection, and accessibility of systems,” the report says. “Cybersecurity was also a top priority for us. We invested in 10 projects that advance cybersecurity protections across the Federal enterprise and supports agencies in adopting a zero trust architecture.”
For cybersecurity, the TMF said it invested $114.2 million in 10 projects in FY2023. One cyber project the report highlights is the $2.5 million investment for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to add contractor personnel and resources to modernize and secure the agency’s Analytical Radiation Data System (ARadDS).
As for modernizing high-priority systems, the TMF invested $7.7 million in two projects. One of those projects includes the nearly $2 million investment to modernize the U.S. AbilityOne Commission’s Procurement List Information Management System (PLIMS) software.
The final category the report highlights is public-facing digital services investments, in which the TMF said it invested $55.5 million across six projects. For example, the report highlights the $7.4 million investment for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to digitize forms at scale – streamlining veterans’ access to services such as health care and disability benefits.
Although many of the TMF’s FY2023 investments are still underway, the TMF Board said it has already seen its approach result in improved outcomes and mission delivery.
As it looks to the future, the report says that the TMF will continue to make “strategic investments to accelerate IT modernization” while strengthening cybersecurity and enhancing Americans’ digital experience.
“Every day we are working to transform the way agencies deliver accessible, secure, people-first services to the American public,” the report concludes. “We are focused on getting to great proposals faster, and ensuring the success of our investments.”
