President Biden’s new “skinny budget” request includes $500 million for the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF), a funding vehicle for federal IT modernization projects. That money would be on top of the $1 billion the fund got in the last coronavirus stimulus bill.
- Former U.S. Deputy Chief Technology Officer Nick Sinai said he and others have urged the administration to relax requirements for agencies to pay back money received through the TMF, explaining that there are other ways to demonstrate project value.
- Sinai said some agencies have refrained from putting forth projects over the life of the fund because they did not agree with the reimbursement component.
- Sinai said there is enthusiasm from Congress and the Office of Management and Budget about the additional TMF funding, which will unlock numerous agency applications.