From a GAO report evaluating the overall Technology Modernization Fund operation:
The Farmers.Gov Portal project was originally intended to update and modernize the conservation financial assistance and payment operations at the Farm Services Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service in order to improve the services through the portal. The scope of the project was updated in August 2020 after the agency determined that additional process re-engineering would be required prior to further development of the technology solution for common enrollment processes for the two agencies. While the project developed tools to help reduce manual data entry, and developed a proof of concept for the system, the project was closed out prior to implementation in May 2021.
I wonder whether the closing of the project was due to its not meeting expectations or perhaps because of "not invented here" thinking by the new administration? I don't remember what I initially thought of the project--probably somewhat skeptical (since I wasn't involved, :-)
GAO includes this rationale:
Agriculture leadership determined that additional process re-engineering would be required prior to further development of the technology solution for common enrollment processes.
USDA had two other TMF initiatives which seem to be continuing, although perhaps with reductions in scope and/or expectations.
GAO's report is critical of GSA's management of the TMF; it wasn't specifically directed at the agencies with projects which received funds.
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