How to help agencies fund critical IT modernization projects

gettyimages.com/primeimages

Contractors have an important role to play in shaping proposals that go before the Technology Modernization Fund board. Here's what you need to do.

Fending off immediate cybersecurity threats by bad actors is a priority for all government agencies. Consequently, there is a dire need for IT modernization products and services. IT modernization is not only critical to agency mission, but a key category in Congress’ FITARA scorecard.

Unfortunately, agencies often don't have the appropriated funds to acquire the necessary IT to meet their missions. Enter the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF).

TMF aims to bridge the gap between the critical need and the true IT modernization solutions that agencies want to implement and what Congress expects. The TMF has received over $1 billion through the American Rescue Plan and the annual budget. In the last several months alone, the TMF board has approved seven new projects totaling over $300M in new funding.

Suppliers working with agencies to address immediate security and capability gaps – or to respond to immediate public needs – need to understand how the TMF approval process operates. They then can help customers be successful in securing TMF funds. Suppliers can do this by outlining how their products and services map to agency and TMF priorities, and how those products and services provide solutions to address their most pressing IT issues. 

Understanding the TMF – Shaping the proposal

TMF is an "innovative funding vehicle" authorized by the Modernizing Government Technology Act of 2017. It provides agencies with resources to secure systems and data, and to deliver services to citizens.  

The Technology Modernization Board of TMF evaluates project proposals, provides funding recommendations and monitors progress and performance of approved projects. Project proposals are submitted through a two-phased approval process, consisting of an Initial Project Proposal (IPP) and a Full Project Proposal (FPP). 

Getting these proposals right is the difference between securing timely funding for agencies’ critical projects and having to put their most-needed project on hold. To prevent projects from ending up on the TMF's cutting room floor, the first step is to strategically complete the IPP. 

The TMF has identified four special emphasis categories:  Modernizing High Priority Systems, Cybersecurity, Public-Facing Digital Services and Cross-Government Collaboration/Scalable Services. Clearly articulating how the project fits into these special emphasis categories is critical in ensuring that a project makes it to the FPP stage.

Interestingly, we are seeing a focus on security in recent project selections, with five out of seven approved TMF-funded projects including a cyber component. Projects that help agencies address immediate security gaps, improve the public's access to government services, or engage in shared services with other agencies have the best chance to catch the TMF Board's attention. 

Other attention-getting project plans might detail an urgent problem that may not otherwise be solved or would provide a significant risk to an agency. Persuasive plans might include outlining commercial capabilities, showing sponsorship by agency leadership, detailing key milestones for project success and clearly demonstrating any cost savings that may result from the proposed project. The more detailed and targeted an agency IPP is when it comes to meeting selection criteria, the better its chances are of making to the next round.

Repayment terms: Be clear about value

Another key consideration revolves around repayment terms. Historically, the TMF has operated under a full repayment model with flexible terms that typically apply to single agency investments. However, the TMF board is increasingly aware that full repayment may be difficult or impossible for some projects that otherwise align with TMF priorities. For these special projects, the TMF Board will consider partial and minimal repayment options.

The key for obtaining the most flexible payment options is clear communication. If a project addresses an urgent cyber problem that leaves agency or citizen data vulnerable to outside attack or provides a solution to meet an immediate citizen need, the potential risk of not moving forward with the project should be carefully explained.

Supporting an IT project proposal with all the essentials (such as cost breakdown, project schedule, acquisition strategy, approach to agency deliverables and proposed outcome metrics) will go a long way in helping ensure a project captures TMF board attention. The TMF board also is willing to review proposals that do not have a financial return that will allow for full repayment – if they are aligned to identified special emphasis categories and clearly demonstrate impactful outcomes, with a map to achieving success.

The best odds for hitting the mark when it comes to TMF proposals are those that are mapped to designated special emphasis categories, with all the necessary supporting data and metrics to readily demonstrate the urgency of the project. For example, accelerated funds may help an agency fast-track its goals to meet zero trust architecture security requirements, to help meet agency compliance obligations and avoid costly data breaches. 

TMF can be a real win-win for agencies and suppliers alike, if both can do their homework and come to the table prepared to demonstrate the value.

Tara Franzonello is program development manager at Arrow’s public sector practice, operated as immixGroup. She can be reached at tara_franzonello@immixgroup.com.

X
This website uses cookies to enhance user experience and to analyze performance and traffic on our website. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. Learn More / Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Accept Cookies
X
Cookie Preferences Cookie List

Do Not Sell My Personal Information

When you visit our website, we store cookies on your browser to collect information. The information collected might relate to you, your preferences or your device, and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to and to provide a more personalized web experience. However, you can choose not to allow certain types of cookies, which may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings according to your preference. You cannot opt-out of our First Party Strictly Necessary Cookies as they are deployed in order to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting the cookie banner and remembering your settings, to log into your account, to redirect you when you log out, etc.). For more information about the First and Third Party Cookies used please follow this link.

Allow All Cookies

Manage Consent Preferences

Strictly Necessary Cookies - Always Active

We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting our cookie banner and remembering your privacy choices) and/or to monitor site performance. These cookies are not used in a way that constitutes a “sale” of your data under the CCPA. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work as intended if you do so. You can usually find these settings in the Options or Preferences menu of your browser. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org to learn more.

Sale of Personal Data, Targeting & Social Media Cookies

Under the California Consumer Privacy Act, you have the right to opt-out of the sale of your personal information to third parties. These cookies collect information for analytics and to personalize your experience with targeted ads. You may exercise your right to opt out of the sale of personal information by using this toggle switch. If you opt out we will not be able to offer you personalised ads and will not hand over your personal information to any third parties. Additionally, you may contact our legal department for further clarification about your rights as a California consumer by using this Exercise My Rights link

If you have enabled privacy controls on your browser (such as a plugin), we have to take that as a valid request to opt-out. Therefore we would not be able to track your activity through the web. This may affect our ability to personalize ads according to your preferences.

Targeting cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.

Social media cookies are set by a range of social media services that we have added to the site to enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They are capable of tracking your browser across other sites and building up a profile of your interests. This may impact the content and messages you see on other websites you visit. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to use or see these sharing tools.

If you want to opt out of all of our lead reports and lists, please submit a privacy request at our Do Not Sell page.

Save Settings
Cookie Preferences Cookie List

Cookie List

A cookie is a small piece of data (text file) that a website – when visited by a user – asks your browser to store on your device in order to remember information about you, such as your language preference or login information. Those cookies are set by us and called first-party cookies. We also use third-party cookies – which are cookies from a domain different than the domain of the website you are visiting – for our advertising and marketing efforts. More specifically, we use cookies and other tracking technologies for the following purposes:

Strictly Necessary Cookies

We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting our cookie banner and remembering your privacy choices) and/or to monitor site performance. These cookies are not used in a way that constitutes a “sale” of your data under the CCPA. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work as intended if you do so. You can usually find these settings in the Options or Preferences menu of your browser. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org to learn more.

Functional Cookies

We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting our cookie banner and remembering your privacy choices) and/or to monitor site performance. These cookies are not used in a way that constitutes a “sale” of your data under the CCPA. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work as intended if you do so. You can usually find these settings in the Options or Preferences menu of your browser. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org to learn more.

Performance Cookies

We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting our cookie banner and remembering your privacy choices) and/or to monitor site performance. These cookies are not used in a way that constitutes a “sale” of your data under the CCPA. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work as intended if you do so. You can usually find these settings in the Options or Preferences menu of your browser. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org to learn more.

Sale of Personal Data

We also use cookies to personalize your experience on our websites, including by determining the most relevant content and advertisements to show you, and to monitor site traffic and performance, so that we may improve our websites and your experience. You may opt out of our use of such cookies (and the associated “sale” of your Personal Information) by using this toggle switch. You will still see some advertising, regardless of your selection. Because we do not track you across different devices, browsers and GEMG properties, your selection will take effect only on this browser, this device and this website.

Social Media Cookies

We also use cookies to personalize your experience on our websites, including by determining the most relevant content and advertisements to show you, and to monitor site traffic and performance, so that we may improve our websites and your experience. You may opt out of our use of such cookies (and the associated “sale” of your Personal Information) by using this toggle switch. You will still see some advertising, regardless of your selection. Because we do not track you across different devices, browsers and GEMG properties, your selection will take effect only on this browser, this device and this website.

Targeting Cookies

We also use cookies to personalize your experience on our websites, including by determining the most relevant content and advertisements to show you, and to monitor site traffic and performance, so that we may improve our websites and your experience. You may opt out of our use of such cookies (and the associated “sale” of your Personal Information) by using this toggle switch. You will still see some advertising, regardless of your selection. Because we do not track you across different devices, browsers and GEMG properties, your selection will take effect only on this browser, this device and this website.