II_4 20230922 1243 5000167065 Notice of Intent Sole Source Justification.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION FOR AN EXCEPTION

TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY

The IRS -Criminal Investigation (CI) office of Special Investigative Techniques (SIT) operate the National Backstopping Unit (NBU) that supports the undercover operations used conducted as part of criminal investigations. IRS-CI is seeking sole source justification for the used of the services and software provided by Applied Fundamental Consulting LLC (AFC). This action will result in a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) purchase or delivery order.

Period of Performance 09/30/2023 through 09/29/2026.

THIS PROCUREMENT IS LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE

This is a Sole Source Only Purchase

IRS-CI, SIT, NBU was created to develop, administer, and maintain a program to support undercover agents acting in alias, or “synthetic”, identities and covert operations. The NBU was established using technical, physical, documentary, oral, fiscal, and other arrangements to create and monitor synthetic identities for use in undercover operations while performing profile management, profile administration, due diligence, quality assurance, and analytical support throughout the identity lifecycle. A synthetic identification needs to provide a sufficient real-world heartbeat by having all the commonalities real life people have with each other such as various forms of documentation, a financial history, and an online footprint in both governmental and commercial information systems projecting the desired persona in the public realm. Backstopping is constructed on synthetic identities to withstand scrutiny ranging from the casual or unwitting general population to a targeted hostile adversary. Backstopping provides the appropriate verification and support of cover arrangements for an operative or operation in anticipation of inquiries or other actions that might test the credibility of its cover.

SIT synthetic identities were previously managed by an Other Government Agency (OGA), of whom specific identification is classified. The OGA stopped their assistance not only to SIT, but to all other Federal Law Enforcement Agencies due to limited resources but provided the information necessary for SIT to establish its own synthetic identity management and specifically identified AFC as the Sole Source provider for identity management along with the credit bureaus and data aggregator. IRS-CI is in the process of renewing the contract with the data aggregator.

IRS-CI, SIT, NBU program manager regularly works with other law enforcement agencies that operate a similar program and have all identified AFC as the only contractor identified to provide the software and services required. The goal of the NBU is to utilize the combined discreet operational expertise of the contractor with support from credit bureaus, data aggregators, and other sources to provide an effective synthetic mask for covert operatives and operations. This is the highest priority requirement due to the ever-evolving advancements in today’s information technology and cyber security environment being able to quickly verify or deny an identity. If a synthetic identity is not properly supported, it will be easily compromised and consequently place an agent at serious risk as well as the operation.

The requirement will be a direct solicitation to the vendor.

The NAICS code is 518210. This announcement is in accordance with FAR 6.302. The point of contact is Vincent Hill Contract Specialist, e-mail: vincent.j.hill@irs.gov.