Technology Modernization Fund announces targeted investments to improve security at NASA, Department of Labor

April 09, 2024

WASHINGTON — The Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) announced two new investments in NASA and the Department of Labor (DOL) addressing security vulnerabilities and improving agencies’ ability to deliver excellent, equitable, and secure services and a better customer experience to the American public. These investments aim to avoid future costs associated with cyber threats and mitigate risks associated with processing sensitive employee data.

“It is our responsibility to protect high-priority systems and enable our federal workforce to deliver on their agency’s mission seamlessly and securely,” said Clare Martorana, Federal CIO and TMF Board Chair. “These TMF investments demonstrate the diversity and reach of the TMF in driving innovation and impact forward for the American public – from strengthening NASA spacecraft control to supporting injured and ill workers through DOL’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs.” 

“Unlocking the potential of government through technology modernization requires strategic investment and a commitment to driving meaningful change,” said Larry Bafundo, Acting TMF Executive Director. “TMF is pivotal in enabling federal agencies to invest in their own ability to adapt, evolve, and better serve their citizens in a rapidly changing world.”

NASA: Accelerating network cybersecurity and performance improvements in benefit to agency missions 

NASA operates with a sizable workforce spread across its centers and facilities, comprising over 18,000 civil servants and 66,000 contractors. NASA’s IT infrastructure enables the agency to collaborate with international space agencies and researchers worldwide. However, the infrastructure currently faces significant security threats due to the value of its data, making it a prime target for hackers and other entities.

To counter these threats, TMF will invest $5,872,492 into NASA, accelerating key initiatives aimed at enhancing cybersecurity and operational efficiency. Specific initiatives include automating network management, modernizing legacy infrastructure, standardizing network configurations across all NASA locations, and collecting additional telemetry data to align with federal cybersecurity mandates.

“NASA’s IT infrastructure plays a critical role in every aspect of NASA’s mission, from enabling collaboration to controlling spacecraft to processing scientific data. Therefore, protecting and effectively evolving NASA’s information technology infrastructure remains a top Agency priority,” said Jeff Seaton, NASA CIO. “This TMF funding will help the Agency to accelerate critical cybersecurity and operational upgrades two years earlier than originally planned.”

Department of Labor: Streamlining support for injured workers 

The Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) is undertaking a significant modernization effort to replace the outdated Integrated Federal Employee Compensation System (iFECS). This initiative aims to revolutionize services and benefits for injured and ill workers, making processes faster, more efficient, and less prone to cybersecurity, operational, and financial risk. 

“IFECS services the entire federal government as the processor of all workers’ compensation claims filed by federal workers,” said Nancy J. Griswold, Deputy Director, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs. “As such, improvements in iFECS that will allow for the faster processing of claims will have an impact not only on the claimants themselves, but also their federal employers, as studies have shown that faster payment of claims results in a faster return to work for many claimants.”

Currently, iFECS serves a vast number of workers and processes a substantial volume of new cases annually. However, its aging infrastructure and complex workflows contribute to delays, hindering effective case management.

TMF has allocated $42 million to support this endeavor and aims to overhaul iFECS by transitioning to a modern, cloud-based architecture and leveraging automation technologies. This shift promises to reduce claim adjudication times, enhance customer interactions, and bolster data security, particularly crucial given the sensitive nature of federal employee health records and annual claims.

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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. To date, the TMF has received $225 million through the annual budget process and $1 billion through the American Rescue Plan to fund modernization projects. 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.