Technology Modernization Fund announces investments to modernize Tribal school websites, campaign finance software, federal HR system

June 18, 2024

WASHINGTON — The Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) unveiled its latest investments aimed at improving services for political campaign filers, tribal communities and public servants. These initiatives encompass a wide spectrum of improvements, including streamlining the Department of Energy’s (DOE) human resources system, updating the Federal Election Commission’s (FEC) outdated campaign finance reporting software, and modernizing - or in some cases creating - websites for up to 183 Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) funded schools. These investments underscore TMF’s commitment to delivering essential services and support for all Americans.

“Technology is a powerful tool, and these investments underscore how the TMF is capitalizing on emerging technology and our expertise to help agencies deliver simple, seamless, and secure digital experiences for all,” said Larry Bafundo, Acting TMF Executive Director. “At the heart of every TMF investment is people. The TMF, and the agencies we partner with, are devoted to making improvements to services, systems and programs that make government more accessible for everyone, from federal workers supporting clean energy to children attending schools in underserved areas.”

“These investments demonstrate a commitment to using technology as a force for positive change – increasing government transparency, improving access to human resources data, and creating more equitable opportunities for underserved communities,” said Clare Martorana, Federal CIO and TMF Board Chair.

The TMF is on track to soon award all of its American Rescue Plan funding. “GSA is committed to the TMF’s long-term success as a proven model for driving effective, impactful, and cost-effective IT modernization governmentwide,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “It is essential that Congress provide resources to allow the TMF to continue to meet the growing demand for investments which address constantly evolving technology needs, threats, and advancements so that government can deliver better for the American people.”

Federal Election Commission: Modernizing FECFile

FEC’s mission is to protect the integrity of the federal campaign finance process by providing transparency and fairly enforcing and administering federal campaign finance laws. Per statutory mandate, FEC provides free software that allows filers – individuals running for office and more than 9,000 political committees – to meet their campaign finance disclosure requirements.

FECFile is legacy software released in 1997. It operates exclusively on Windows-based PCs and is not compatible with other popular operating systems. This limitation restricts accessibility, security, and functionality for users who use non-Windows-based computers.

With $8.8 million, FEC aims to modernize FECFile Online – a cloud-based, web-accessible, intuitive software for filers that improves data quality and enhances security. Beyond fulfilling FEC’s statutory mandate to provide free filing software, this project is driven by the filing community’s needs for usable software, and serves the public interest in ensuring data quality and availability for public disclosure. Additionally, this project aims to create an open-source product for vendors and state agencies to use in their own development efforts.

“Every year, the Federal Election Commission publishes millions of self-reported transactions from candidates and political committees to ensure transparency and accountability in political campaigns,” said FEC Chairman Sean Cooksey and Commissioner Dara Lindenbaum. “With the Technology Modernization Fund’s critical investment to replace outdated reporting software, the FEC can continue to fulfill its disclosure mission for the American public.”

Department of the Interior: Improving services for tribal communities through modernized school websites

The Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Bureau of Indian Education is dedicated to improving communication and access to essential education and related support services for Tribal communities and schools. A pivotal aspect of this commitment is an initiative to modernize the websites for BIE-funded schools.

Many of the schools funded by the BIE, including BIE-operated and Tribally controlled schools, either lack websites or operate with an outdated online presence. This deficiency hinders effective communication with parents, families and community members. By modernizing these websites, parents and guardians will gain reliable, straightforward access to crucial information such as school events, schedule changes, bus routes, lunch menus and school applications. Enhancing access to school information and related support services is vital for enabling Tribal community members to meaningfully engage in the education of their Native American students.

“Upgrading our digital infrastructure will allow our schools to enhance communication and access to essential education and related support services while promoting educational equity,” said BIE Director Tony Dearman. “Ensuring BIE schools have support to advance their communications capabilities in a secure online environment allows equal access to critical educational resources, eliminating a significant barrier to participation for students and families in our Tribal communities.” 

The BIE aims to accelerate the website modernization project with $5.86 million in TMF funding. This investment is vital to bridge the digital divide between BIE schools and other educational institutions, allowing for better dissemination of information about school activities and resources. With this investment, 55 bureau-operated schools and up to 128 Tribally controlled schools aim to have websites compliant with Section 508 accessibility standards and U.S. Web Design System standards providing users with a more consistent, accessible, and trustworthy experience. Additionally, funding aims to enable an expanded website hosting environment with enhanced security and increased support for website maintenance and content development to ensure information is relevant and up-to-date. This investment also aims to help address educational disparities, contribute to the long-term success of BIE students, and increase engagement in the surrounding community, aligning with the bureau’s commitment to equity and educational opportunities for all.

Department of Energy: Human resources information technology modernization

DOE plays a pivotal role in ensuring America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges. Despite the cutting-edge work DOE does to meet this mission, its outdated HR infrastructure does not meet business needs. With the last significant investment occurring over two decades ago, DOE’s HR technology struggles to support its workforce and poses risks. Furthermore, the system’s reliance on customization results in ‘freeze’ periods that hinder operations. 

With $17 million in TMF funding, DOE aims to transition to a Software as a Service platform, integrating multiple HR systems into one cohesive solution. This effort aims to better support DOE managers, HR practitioners, system administrators, general employees, and contractors - nearly 40,000 in all. The goal is for users to experience easier access to the modernized HR system, improved data integrity, and reduced time and effort to manage HR functions. DOE also anticipates the streamlined operations and automation processes will drive cost savings.

“We very much appreciate the support of the Technology Modernization Fund in our effort to transform the Department of Energy’s human capital information systems,” said DOE Deputy Secretary David Turk. “This project will have a profound impact on how our employees and managers use these systems, which are fundamental to work accomplishment and employee engagement. Further, our step into the world of Software-as-a-Service will mean that DOE’s human capital solutions are future-proofed and will keep pace with global standards. We’re excited for what this means for DOE and the federal government as a whole. Launching this project on the ambitious schedule we’ve set would have been impossible without the support of the TMF.” 

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About the TMF: The Technology Modernization Fund is working to transform the way the government uses technology to deliver for the American public in an equitable, secure, and user-centric way. The TMF invests in technology projects across government, providing incremental funding, technical assistance, and oversight throughout execution to ensure the success of its investments.

The TMF is overseen by the Technology Modernization Board, which is composed of government IT leaders representing proven expertise in technology, transformation, and operations. TMF investments have supported projects ranging from modernizing the payment system used by the government’s second largest revenue-collecting agency to helping to develop a new customer relationship management platform to maintain crucial international partnerships. For more information, visit tmf.cio.gov.

About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing over $100 billion in products and services via federal contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.