- Provide adequate funds to modernize IT systems used by agencies working on the front lines of this pandemic and future emergency responses. Such funding should be made available for expenditure over multiple years;
- Establish and fund a mechanism that provides federal financial support to state and local government agencies in need of IT modernization and upgrades that, in turn, will enhance the speed and effect of relief efforts for citizens, business, hospitals, and organizations in direct need during the COVID-19 and subsequent emergencies;
- Support the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) at an appropriations level that would allow for meaningful investment in cross-agency IT modernization initiatives; and
- Ensure that IT modernization efforts include focused attention and investment on strengthening cybersecurity, workforce training, and process transformation.
[1] see: Warmbrodt, Zachary. “Small business loan program stumbles as SBA system crashes.” Politico. Apr. 6, 2020. available at: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/06/small-business-loan-program-system-crashes-169614 and Palmer, Ewan. “Hundreds of Florida Residents Line Up for Unemployment Benefits as Electronic Systems Crash.” Newsweek. Apr. 8, 2020. available at: https://www.newsweek.com/coronavirus-florida-unemployment-apply-benefits-1496794 [2] see: Faler, Brian. “IRS official: Virus outbreak making it hard to implement key business tax provision.” Politico. Apr. 2, 2020. available at: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/02/irs-coronavirus-tax-refund-162244 and CDC. “Information for Health Departments on Reporting Cases of COVID-19.” Website. available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/reporting-pui.html, accessed: Apr. 8, 2020. [3] see: Mazmanian, Adam “Legacy systems crumble under high demand.” FCW.com. Apr. 5, 2020. available at: https://fcw.com/articles/2020/04/05/legacy-tech-hinders-gov-covid19.aspx and Mersol, James “The Cybersecurity Challenges in Government-wide Move to Telework.” GovernmentCIO. March 25, 2020. available at: https://www.governmentciomedia.com/cybersecurity-challenges-government- wide-move-telework [4] For example, the Modernizing Government Technology (MGT) Act (PL 115-91) and the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (PL 115-336). [5] “Principles for Federal IT Modernization in Response to the Covid-19 Outbreak”