The fund is doling out a total of $45 million in this first round.

The combination of the three categories took agencies from a potential spread of five As, 14 Bs and 5 Cs to only three Bs, 12 Cs, eight Ds and an F.

The Federal CIO says the freedom should extend to "technology direction, authority to hire skills that are needed, authority to manage the budget and the opportunity to sit at the table with agency and government leadership."

Rethinking digital transformation to become more agile, flexible, innovative and customer-focused can help agencies from falling behind in IT modernization.

Emily Murphy told House appropriators she thinks it's the right amount as "a proof of concept."

IT experts point to the MGT Act as a possible remedy when budget quarrels on Capitol Hill impact agencies.