DOJ and OPM get TMF boost to modernize aging IT

The Justice Department and the Office of Personnel Management will receive cash infusions to modernize immigration case management and federal retirement systems, respectively, according to an announcement from the General Services Administration on Tuesday.

The Technology Modernization Fund awards a total of $19.67 million and enables the DOJ’s Executive Office for Immigration Review to modernize a legacy case management system and back-end databases that share information with Department of Homeland Security agencies and supports OPM in moving away from legacy IT to reduce costs and provide an improved user experience.

“If only 13% of traditionally funded IT projects are successful, the Technology Modernization Fund’s 80% success rate shows it is a preferred funding model,” Clare Martorana, federal CIO and TMF board chair, said in a statement Opinion.

The DOJ will use $1.34 million to begin automating document ingestion and explore creating an “integrated change of address system that shares information between key (DHS) agencies.” The agency expects the effort to improve efficiency while providing cost savings for itself and DHS.

Currently, EOIR relies on manual processes for “critical tasks” such as document receipt and physical address changes.

Joshua Lashbrook, EOIR’s chief information officer, said that by adopting document capture automation, “we are giving our team the opportunity to reclaim valuable time and focus on important tasks that advance our mission. Efficiency drives innovation.”

OPM is using its $18.3 million in funding to continue the transition from legacy systems and enable a “comprehensive modernization of the agency’s core infrastructure.” The agency expects this will improve the experience of 2.8 million federal pension recipients and survivors.

OPM said in the GSA press release that its current pension systems rely on outdated software that is both expensive and a security risk.

OPM CIO Guy Cavallo said in a statement that federal government employees are “the largest workforce in the country, yet the technology that supports that workforce is aging and slowing us down.” Modernizing the OPM mainframe is critical for supporting the job seekers, employees and retirees of today and tomorrow.”