SPECIAL NOTICE
99 -- IRS-EDCMO-RFI-UPDATE
- Notice Date
- 1/8/2021 4:01:02 PM
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- Contracting Office
- NATIONAL OFFICE - PROCUREMENT OBO NEW CARROLLTON MD 20706 USA
- ZIP Code
- 20706
- Solicitation Number
- IRS-EDCMO-RFI-UPDATE
- Archive Date
- 12/15/2021
- Point of Contact
- Shawnna Sims, Phone: (240) 613-9387, Analeatha Simmons Rollins, Phone: (240)613-3662
- E-Mail Address
-
Shawnna.L.Sims@irs.gov, analeatha.l.simmonsrollins@irs.gov
(Shawnna.L.Sims@irs.gov, analeatha.l.simmonsrollins@irs.gov)
- Description
- The purpose of this Special Notice / Request for Information (RFI) is to provide an update regarding the status of the FY21 program support need for the Enterprise Digitalization and Case Management Office (EDCM) of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).� Specifically, this posting will: 1) Provide context around general themes the RFI responses indicated, as well as the number of responses; 2) Provide additional information regarding the scope of work pertinent to the general themes of the RFI responses as well as updates from EDCM; 3) Provide the current acquisition strategy for the requirement; and, 4) Provide a list of future industry partner engagement efforts.� This posting pertains only to EDCM�s Digitalization portfolio and associated program support needs. General Themes Indicated by RFI Responses:� In general, individual RFI responses did not address the entirety of the four portions/scopes of work, suggesting that at least some firms may not have the capability, expertise, or business model to adequately support the entirety of the requirement without significant levels of teaming.� Additionally, some responses indicated a focus on software development activities and custom-coded/bespoke tools, which is not part of the scope of work for this requirement.� Comparably, some responses combined, and at times conflated, the scope of work for this requirement (Digitalization) with other EDCM efforts that are primarily directed at supporting Enterprise Case Management.� EDCM received 38 responses to the RFI.� We understand this represents a substantive amount of resources expended by the industry partner community, and we would like to express our appreciation and thanks. Scope of Work and Additional Context Based on General Themes Indicated by RFI Responses: As noted in prior postings, there are four general efforts that make up the potential requirement.� Additional context and information around those four areas, based on more recent information and general themes indicated by the whole of the RFI responses, is provided below.� Some may find that this information appears to be very similar or even duplicative to prior postings; notwithstanding, based on the nature of the responses to the RFI, EDCM believes it is important to share this information. � Consolidating and Distilling Opportunities for Digitalization Projects Across the Agency, Adhering to and Enhancing an Existing Strategic Framework: As part of the consolidation and distillation of digitalization projects across the agency, there are three concepts/structures that are important to emphasize.� First, EDCM does not only address technology issues or needs � it also tackles business process and policy issues, either by themselves or in conjunction with technology issues.� For instance, retention periods or methods for certain forms or documents is more of a policy issue, although it would certainly be affected by business processes and perhaps existing technology capabilities.� Second, as part of selecting digitalization projects, EDCM works to ensure there is a mix of incremental, adjacent, and transformative projects.� Incremental is a near-term activity which requires a relatively low level of resources and time to pursue, and generally works within existing constructs and tools with little adjustment or change.� Adjacent is a mid-term activity which likely requires moderate levels of time/resources and expands the use of or slightly modifies existing policies, business processes, or technology.� Transformative is frequently a long-term activity which requires significant levels of time/resources and represents a fundamentally disparate approach to solving a problem.� These concepts can frequently easily be applied to technology projects (i.e., incremental would be using an existing technology/tool in a different manner, adjacent would be expanding the capability or functionality of that tool, and transformative would be replacing/consolidating that tool), but can also be applied to business process and policy projects.� Third, EDCM will not pursue projects in a waterfall fashion, in that it will not expend excessive amounts of effort or cost to identify each individual task which needs to be completed before pursuing those efforts.� Near-term projects will both inform and be governed by existing strategic frameworks, and EDCM does not expect to be successful in all individual projects as it �swings for the fences�.� As a result, focused and intentional program/project management efforts and a rigorous Return on Investment methodology will be very important.� � Supporting Program and Project Management Needs for Multiple Near-Term Pilot Projects and the Finalization and Application of Performance and Return on Investment (ROI) Metrics for the Purposes of Portfolio Management, as well as Scaling and Expansion Activities for Successful Pilot Projects:� As noted previously, EDCM is not a software development office nor is this requirement a software development or coding activity.� At times, it may participate in projects which rely on these activities, but they will likely be the exception, and when they are pursued, EDCM will continue to rely on the guidance and authority of its IT partners and leaders (as it will for the COTS solutions it is far more likely to utilize).� Similarly, in order to be successful EDCM will need to continue to engage with other offices within the IRS (finance, procurement, enforcement, legal, etc.), which is what a significant portion of the program and project management needs will include.� Additionally, although they have not been finalized, EDCM is currently contemplating releasing multiple requirements via a procurement structure similar to Pilot IRS to test potential solutions in three technology areas or verticals: 1) approaches to gaining access to information on low resolution images (i.e., Optical Character Recognition (OCR) or OCR-like solutions); 2) high-speed scanning of paper documents (including as a service model); and, 3) Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning / Robot Process Automation approaches to streamlining efforts and shifting from low-value to high-value work.� Managing existing projects, as well as future/intended projects like these three, will be a primary area of focus for efforts in this area.� Furthermore, developing and updating an ROI methodology will be important from both a portfolio management approach, as well as individual project management activities. � Supporting Program and Project Management Needs for Broader, More Long-Term Acquisitions Led by EDCM: It is important to note that at least some of these efforts will be �fed� by pilot projects.� For instance, if an approach to high-speed scanning leads to a concept that can be scaled across the enterprise, efforts in this area would support any necessary acquisitions.� � Supporting Sequencing and Alignment Activities Relative to Case Management and Other Strategic Efforts: It is important to note that although there will be significant areas of connection to the IRS�s Enterprise Case Management efforts, not all Digitalization activities will directly or immediately feed into that system.� For instance, a policy decision to change a retention period for documents will not directly lead to a change in case management activities. Acquisition Strategy:� Given the nature of the RFI responses and guidance from the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer, EDCM currently anticipates issuing an unrestricted competitive solicitation under an existing multiple award vehicle � however, it is currently anticipated that this unrestricted solicitation will include language supporting and requiring substantive small business participation, to include evaluation factors.� Neither a full-and-open solicitation nor a short-term contract is currently under consideration.� EDCM will leverage acquisition streamlining approaches (i.e., engagement with industry, oral proposals, etc.) to prudently accelerate the award timeframe. From a timeline perspective, EDCM anticipates a solicitation being issued at the end of Q2 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 (i.e., March), with an award in Q3 of FY21. Future Industry Partner Engagement Efforts: EDCM anticipates providing a draft solicitation or requirements document once the acquisition vehicle has been determined.� Additionally, EDCM anticipates holding a Listening Session no later than February 5th where industry can observe conversations about the requirement and the EDCM office from IRS personnel, and have an opportunity to pose questions and make comments in real time.� EDCM does plan, as noted in the RFI, to meet with a subset of respondents to the RFI, as well as other industry partners, under the auspices of market research.� If a meeting is desired, EDCM will contact your firm by the end of January (please do not contact EDCM or IRS Procurement requesting a meeting). Please continue to monitor https://beta.sam.gov for updates. The IRS and EDCM appreciate your interest in our mission and look forward to engaging with you.
- Web Link
-
SAM.gov Permalink
(https://beta.sam.gov/opp/8ab38c33122e457cbd6c9b55f14d42d3/view)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Washington, DC 20005, USA
- Zip Code: 20005
- Country: USA
- Zip Code: 20005
- Record
- SN05887939-F 20210110/210108230101 (samdaily.us)
- Source
-
SAM.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's SAM Daily Index Page |