Streamlining funding requests (aka scaling eAPD)

[stvnrlly]

Context

The goal here would be to use technology to improving the funding request process so that funding agencies and requesters can focus on outcomes and important information rather than manually calculating finances and searching for project details in long documents.

We could focus on scaling the use of CMS's existing funding request streamlining tool, eAPD, which was developed with support from 18F, to other agencies that rely on the state-federal funding request process like ACF & FNS to expand the benefits even further.

Why we're prioritizing this

While the focus here is admittedly more internal agency-facing (vs public-facing), there is already a fully formed product in use at CMS which states and CMS funders rave about as a massive time-saver (currently in use by 12+ states and 18F/CMS have received requests from additional states and federal agencies eager to use the tool). CMS does not have the mandate to scale it to other programs, however, so we're well positioned to help in that arena.

Relevant references:

• eAPD Github repo/Readme
• @nkkl, @ecayer, or @mgwalker would all be good references to talk about the impact of eAPD and the opportunity inherent in expanding its use across other benefits agencies/programs

Product canvas

https://app.mural.co/t/gsa6/m/gsa6/1640042631366/81bc523977f2d4b362c945295a2a2a7fc67c2385