Here's a hint: It's all about the business case, Roat says.

Cybersecurity projects are the focus, followed by those modernizing critical systems, providing public-facing digital services and encouraging cross-governmental collaboration with scalable services.

Administrators must consider increasing staffing levels, adjusting project selection criteria and reconsidering repayment terms for agencies, according to their letter.

The Department of Labor received $9.6 million to modernize its enterprise data platform, in a win for the agency and the funding vehicle.

The prominent leader in the federal IT space leaves the Small Business Administration, where she has had first-hand experience with the pressures on federal IT created by the coronavirus pandemic.

The executive branch requested $150 million for fiscal 2020 as well, but ended up getting $25 million.