RFI Q-A- sam-gov 02-05-2026.pdf

Q: Does the Government have an intended release date for the solicitation?

A: No, the Government is in early market research phase to include determining best solicitation approach to include mandatory sources.

Q: Although formal RFI questions are not due until January 23, we would like to submit the following for the Government’s early consideration, given that coordination and scheduling may take time. In reviewing the trends across the questions already submitted by industry, would the Government consider hosting a virtual industry engagement session prior to the RFI response due date? A session of this kind would allow the Government to share its goals, priorities, and current challenges related to the scope of work, while also addressing common areas of inquiry that multiple vendors appear to be raising. Shifting from written communication alone to a brief collaborative discussion would help ensure that industry gains a more accurate understanding of the requirement, resulting in more meaningful, tailored, and higher-value RFI responses.

A: No, due to time constraints, the Government will not hold an industry day prior to the deadline of the RFI. There may be an opportunity at a later date for an industry day.

Q: To support development of a realistic level of effort, please indicate whether the scope of work outlined in this RFI is currently being performed. If so, please identify the incumbent contractor(s) supporting this effort and provide any additional context the Government deems appropriate to support industry’s understanding of the requirement.

A: The incumbent is Integrated Finance & Accounting. Please note however, that the PWS for that requirement may have a narrower scope.

Q: The instructions state that the “Brief Overview of the Company and Core Capabilities Relevant to the Draft PWS” must be included on the Cover Page, which has a 1-page limit. Given the amount of information required, it is unlikely the overview can fit on the cover page alongside the other mandatory elements.

Could you please confirm whether:

1. The Brief Overview may be placed in a separate section immediately following the cover page, or

2. The intent is for the overview to be included within the 15-page technical limit?

Additionally, please confirm whether a capability statement may be included within the 15 pages, or if it is only acceptable as part of the overview/cover material.

Additionally, please confirm whether a capability statement may be included within the 15 pages, or if it is only acceptable as part of the overview/cover material.

A: The cover page is a quick biographical overview of the organization that is submitting a response. The core capabilities of your organization for this section should be brief for the cover page, but can be expanded upon in the subsequent 15 pages.

Q:

1. To support industry’s ability to assess technical capabilities and transition considerations for this requirement, can the Government please provide additional details regarding the current state of the Integrated Financial System (IFS)? Specifically, we request:

a. An overview of the current SAP/IFS implementation, including:

i. SAP version(s) and modules currently deployed (e.g., ECC, BW, FM, Asset Accounting, Project Systems, etc.);

A: See systems chart

ii. Major customizations, interfaces, and dependencies (e.g., RRACS, CARS, GTAS, IPAC, TIER);

A: See systems chart

iii. Hosting model and environment (on-premise, cloud, hybrid).

A: Private cloud SAP NS2 hosted

b. A description of the current operational state of IFS and current upgrade or enhancement initiatives.

A: In operations and maintenance only required updates will be made until IRS moves to Treasury OneFM consolidated financial system managed by Treasury in 2027/2028. IFS will be retired.

c. Clarification on whether the IRS has planned or anticipated modernization efforts related to SAP or other financial management systems (e.g., transition to SAP S/4HANA, new Treasury-driven interface requirements, data migration initiatives, or broader digital modernization priorities). If modernization activities are planned or underway, please describe expected timelines, scope, and whether these efforts will be incorporated into this solicitation or managed through other acquisition vehicles. See above response b

2. Acknowledging that significant reductions in IRS personnel have occurred, can the Government provide high level guidance on how these staffing decreases within the OCFO are expected to influence contractor support needs? Specifically, we seek clarity on which Financial Management functions have been most affected and what priority processes or risks the CFO expects vendors to address. This information will enable industry to consider staffing models, transition strategies, and operational approaches that effectively compensate for reduced internal manpower while ensuring continuity of financial operations, audit readiness, and compliance.

A: See this more task 1 response; N/A for systems Key areas affected by personnel reductions associated with this RFI include financial reporting, accounting standards, United States Standard General Ledger (USSGL), asset management, and data analysis (including automation and visualization).

3. Per the PWS, accounting policies, posting models, interfaces, and reporting crosswalks require regular updates. To assess appropriate level of effort, could the Government confirm whether these artifacts are current and require routine updates to existing processes and systems or are significant updates and development of processes and procedures needed?

A: Posting models, interfaces and reporting crosswalks artifacts are current.

Q: Referencing document "Fin Mgmt Audit Svcs PWS- RXD Draft 01-05-2026.pdf; - Section 7.0" - Section

7.0 references "Attachment X - Key Personnel Table". Will the government provide a draft Attachment X to vendors during this RFI phase? Providing a draft Attachment X will help vendors better refine the notional labor mix and estimated costs.

A: The PWS included in the RFI is a rough draft, and will be finalized for any future solicitation. The attachments/appendices indicated in the PWS are not yet available.

Q: 1. Set-Aside Status

Is the Government considering a small business set-aside for this requirement? If so, which socioeconomic categories are being evaluated (e.g., WOSB, 8(a), HUBZone)?

A: Uknown at this time, still in early stages of market research.

2. Contract Vehicle

Will this requirement be procured via GSA MAS (per the GSA rates request), or are other contract vehicles being considered?

A: Unknown at this time, still in early stages of market research.

3. Systems Support Level

For the IFS and SAP functional support requirements, what level of technical system configuration vs.

accounting/functional user support is anticipated?

A: Experience designing, developing, and implementing federal accounting practices, business processes, and reporting for appropriations, purchasing, travel, payroll, intergovernmental transactions, and miscellaneous federal funds in SAP financial management systems in accordance with federal accounting and related requirements. Should have experience designing, developing, and implementing G-Invoicing business processes and reporting. Designing, developing, and implementing federal accounting and reporting requirements in several SAP modules including: financial integration; funds management;

materials management; asset accounting; sales and distribution; project systems; cost accounting;

business warehouse; business objects; and procurement. Should have experience with: designing solutions for defects; systems monitoring; data quality control; user support and training; and system assurance testing. Knowledge of the current IRS financial management system is beneficial.

4. Effort Breakdown

What percentage of effort is anticipated for audit support vs. ongoing financial operations vs. financial systems support?

A: This requirement is in the market research stage- the percentage of effort is unknown at this time.

5. On-Site Requirements

Will on-site presence be required full-time, or is a hybrid model acceptable? What are the anticipated on-site presence requirements (e.g., days per week, number of personnel)?

A: Per Executive Order, the IRS is operating under a full-time in-person/office environment.

6. Performance Metrics

What performance metrics or Acceptable Quality Levels (AQLs) is the Government considering for measuring contractor performance in audit support, financial reporting, and systems support areas?

A: The Government is still conducting market research, and the AQL’s will be determined as the PWS becomes more finalized.

Q:

1. Responding to this RFI Section of RFI, (p. 3 of 4): Would the government please confirm the font size 11 does not apply to headers, footers, tables, and graphics?

A: Font size 11 is the minimum acceptable font size.

2. Responding to this RFI Section of RFI, (p. 3 of 4): Would the government please confirm the 16 page limit does not apply to front matter (e.g., disclosure statement, table of contents, cover letter)?

A: Responses shall be limited to the cover page plus the 15 additional pages as per the RFI notice.

This is not a solicitation for proposals, only intended for market research.

Q: Does the Government anticipate that all labor categories will be required to perform on-site full time, or does the IRS anticipate that certain functions or labor categories may routinely be approved for hybrid or offsite performance consistent with Section 8.0 of the Draft PWS? If so, please clarify which functions or roles are most likely to be eligible for approved offsite performance.

A: Per Executive Order, the IRS is operating under a full time in-person/office environment. There may be times when exigent circumstances necessitate working offsite in very limited circumstances.

Q: The RFI requests a rough order of magnitude (ROM) labor mix recommendation (not to exceed 15 pages) for delivering the task areas in the draft PWS under RFI Question No. 19. The RFI also specifies a 15-page limit plus a cover page (16 pages total) for responses to the RFI Questions and supplemental documentation, as well as a 16-page limit (15 pages plus cover) for the Capability Statement.

Please clarify whether the Government intends offerors to submit:

(a) a single, combined response (Capability Statement, RFI Questions, and ROM labor mix) within one overall page limit, and if so, what the total allowable page count (including the cover page) should be; or

(b) separate sections or documents, each with its own distinct page limit.

The RFI states that the cover page is limited to one page and must include a brief company overview, core capabilities, and a list of relevant GSA MAS contracts, GWACs, or other contract vehicles. Given the volume of information requested, please confirm whether offerors may include this information in a separate cover letter instead of the cover page, and if so, whether the cover letter would be subject to the same one-page limit or may be up to two pages.

A: Responses to the RFI should be limited to 16 pages max—1 cover page and 15 subsequent pages forming the body of the response. This is not a solicitation for proposals, and is only intended for market research.

Q: What level of background investigation and clearance will be required for contractor personnel (e.g., Public Trust, Moderate Risk, High Risk)?

A: Public Trust

Q: Will the Government provide a current or estimated baseline staffing level (by labor category) to support proposal staffing and transition planning?

A: This is an RFI to assist with market research and refine the Government’s requirements. You are welcome to submit a ROM with your suggested baseline staffing level.

Q: Does the Government anticipate surge periods during audit cycles (e.g., GAO, IG, fiscal year-end)? If so, should offerors plan for surge staffing?

A: Any need for surge staffing would occur from September through November for fiscal year-end, GAO audit support, and financial reporting requirements.

Q: Can the Government provide historical data on the annual volume of audit requests, PBCs, and data calls to help size staffing?

A: PBC volume within scope ranges from 350-400 deliverables. Data calls estimated 100+.

Q: Besides IFS, which other financial or feeder systems are in scope under this requirement?

A: IFS, Treasury systems – CARS, GTAS, TIER

Q: What version of SAP (ECC, S/4HANA, or other) is currently in use, and are any major upgrades planned during the period of performance?

A: ECC suite on HANA, in operations and maintenance only required updates will be made until IRS moves to Treasury OneFM consolidated financial system managed by Treasury in 2027/2028. IFS will be retired.

Q: What data classification levels will contractor staff handle (e.g., FTI, PII, SBU), and what specific safeguarding standards apply?

A: Will follow IRS IRM security standards and training requirements

Q: Will the Government define specific performance metrics, SLAs, or Acceptable Quality Levels (AQLs) in the final PWS?

A: The Government is still conducting market research, and the AQL’s will be determined as the PWS becomes more finalized.

Q: Will the Government provide a consolidated deliverables list with frequency (monthly, quarterly, annual, ad hoc)?

A: The Government is still conducting market research, and the deliverables and corresponding frequencies will be determined as the PWS becomes more finalized.

Q: Will the Government provide all required system access, software licenses, and tools, or should contractors include these in their cost assumptions?

A: Yes, no need to include

Q: Will this requirement be awarded as a single task order or multiple task orders by functional area?

A: The Government is in early stages of market research and will use the responses from the RFI to assist with crafting the finalized requirements.

Q: Does the Government anticipate a Cost-Plus, T&M, or Hybrid contract structure for this requirement?

A: The Government is in early stages of market research and will use the responses from the RFI to assist with crafting the finalized requirements.

Q: Is the Government considering a small business or socio-economic set-aside strategy based on market research results?

A: The Government is in early stages of market research and will use the responses from the RFI to assist with crafting the finalized requirements.

Q: What is the anticipated Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) structure for the base and option periods?

A: The Government is in early stages of market research and will use the responses from the RFI to assist with crafting the finalized requirements.

Q: Is travel anticipated outside the NCR, and if so, should it be priced separately?

A: For the purposes of this exercise, assume all travel is limited to the NCR.

Q: Are there required response-time SLAs for audit and data calls?

A: Yes, PBC due dates are determined in advance. General audit inquiry response time is three business days and could vary +/-. Data call due dates are established at the time request is received – could range from one day to several weeks.

Q: Please provide an estimated level of effort (LOE), historical labor hours, or a baseline staffing profile by task area or labor category to support offerors in developing accurate staffing and pricing assumptions.

A: This is an RFI to assist with market research and refine the Government’s requirements. Vendors are welcome to submit a ROM with suggested baseline staffing level.

Q: Does the Government anticipate any attestation or assurance requirements (e.g., agreed-upon procedures, management representation letters, or independent attestations) associated with the financial statements, annual financial report, or related information described in Section 5.1.3.5 of the Draft PWS? If so, please clarify the expected level and type of attestation.

A: Yes, limited support for attestation requirements, such as a management representation letter, would be included in the scope.