A1 - RFI Details CaseWare IDEA.docx

1. Background/Introduction:

GAO’s use of CaseWare IDEA extends back to 1992. Since that time, the use of CaseWare IDEA has become deeply ingrained in the GAO audit process and GAO has a continuing need for this software product. CaseWare IDEA continues to play a critical role in GAO’s arsenal of data analytics tools due to its ease of use and wide-ranging capabilities. It is the primary software product used by FMA to conduct financial and performance audits and FMA has developed team-based training to support its continued use of this product on such audits. However, other GAO mission teams, such as ARM and FAIS, also use CaseWare IDEA. The use of this product is very specific and well-defined.

CaseWare IDEA provides certain functionalities and ease of use that do not exist within any other software products available on the market. New staff, with no prior experience using the product, are able to become proficient in a very short period of time. CaseWare IDEA’s point-and- click interface allows non-programmers to perform relatively sophisticated tasks, such as joining and appending databases, as well as interrogating data via field manipulation, summarization, and extraction, with minimal instruction or supervision. Additionally, CaseWare IDEA allows users to easily select statistically valid samples using various sampling techniques, including monetary unit and random, as well as mine data for hidden patterns and relationships to identify unusual transactions or records requiring further analysis. Furthermore, CaseWare IDEA logs each task performed by users, which allows GAO auditors to easily and accurately document their analysis within their audit documentation sets. GAO’s use of this product, in terms of the number of licenses needed, has been stable for over a decade and there is not a need for expanding its footprint or for acquiring a larger scale enterprise license.

2. Purpose/Objective:

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is seeking to enter into a five (5) year contract agreement to procure the following salient physical, function, or performance characteristics and level of quality that will satisfy the Government’s technical needs:

1. Easy-to-use data analysis software designed for audit, accounting, and finance professionals

1. Does not require programming knowledge or skill

1. Import data from PDF, Excel, CSV, 50+ accounting packages, Python and more using file conversion capabilities

1. Analytical tools for audit tests using sampling, Benford’s Law, gap detection, predictive analysis, join or automated tests designed for financial audits

1. Reporting tools through visualization using interactive dashboards, export results to third party applications, and publish and share files

1. Document a project or generate scripts to re-run analytics or produce audit trail of all tasks

1. Analyze 100% of data with read-only access to the audit client source data

1. Unlimited help desk support

1. Upgrade and new release downloads

1. Free CPE opportunities

1. Active user groups for online or in person networking

3. Technical Response Details:

GAO is seeking information required to assist in the formulation of an acquisition strategy that includes determining the most desirable methods for performing this contract agreement.

GAO request a capability statement that identifies your company’s abilities to meet the abovementioned technical needs; including Government contracts for similar contract efforts (include contract number and Agency’s name).

4. Procurement Response Details:

(1) Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) – If applicable, indicate your GWAC(s) that would be available for the work to be performed for these services by including the Contract Number and Contract Expiration Date:

NASA Solutions for Enterprise Wide Procurement (SEWP) V

General Services Administration (GSA)

NIH Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center (NITAAC)

5. RFI Response Instructions:

It is emphasized that this RFI is NOT a Request for Proposal, Quotation, or Invitation for Bid. This RFI is for information and planning purposes only, subject to FAR Clause 52.215-3 titled "Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes," and is NOT to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contractual and/or binding agreement, nor will the Government pay for information solicited. The Government may request follow-on discussion with one or more respondents, at the Government's discretion, to obtain clarification or additional detail of the material submitted. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.

The Point of Contact (POC) for questions regarding this RFI is:

· Cedric M. Mitchener, mitchenerc@gao.gov , Primary POC

· Theresa Booker, bookert@gao.gov, Secondary POC

All responses to this RFI may be submitted via e-mail to mitchenerc@gao.gov and bookert@gao.gov by Monday, November 1, 2021, 12:00 PM EST. Files may be submitted in MS Word, PDF, or RTF format.

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Paper submissions will not be accepted. All responses should be no more than ten (10) pages including questions, graphs, charts, tables, illustrations, and other figures. A page is defined as one (1) sheet 8 ½ x 11 inches using a minimum of 12-point font size for text. The cover page is excluded from the page count.

Please provide the following information about your company:

· Company Name

· Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number / Cage Code

· Address/Location

· Size of business (large, small, small disadvantaged, 8(a), veteran-owned, service disabled veteran-owned and/or women owned or HUBZone, etc.)

· Years in business