JOFOC - Architecture and Data Modernization Support

The Department of Education's Federal Student Aid office has awarded a sole-source task order to MITRE Corporation through the U.S. Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service's Center for Enterprise Modernization Federally Funded Research and Development Center, under contract TIRNO-99-D-00005, for Architecture and Data Modernization Support to advance the FSA Technology Modernization Initiative. The base award period is twelve months with an estimated value of $3.8 million, and a potential six-month extension under FAR 52.217-8 for a total estimated maximum value of $4.8 million.

The justification cites FAR 6.103-3 and rests on the determination that MITRE's CEM FFRDC uniquely provides the structural independence, freedom from conflicts of interest, vendor neutrality, and specialized expertise required for mission-focused technical guidance. FSA identified the FFRDC as the only option among 42 available FFRDCs specializing in civil government modernization, systems engineering and integration, data architecture and modeling, and artificial intelligence. The requirement encompasses seven task categories—system architecture, data modeling and integration, master data management, modern data technologies assessment, agentic AI integration research, AI tool piloting, and project management—supporting Digital Customer Care, Title IV Origination and Disbursement, and Unified Borrower Portal projects.

Commercial contractors, while possessing certain capabilities, cannot adequately provide the objectivity, conflict-free guidance, and trusted status necessary for work closely associated with inherently governmental functions without introducing significant mission risk. The FFRDC mechanism protects against vendor lock-in, ensures government ownership of deliverables, and provides broader data rights than commercial alternatives. FSA conducted market research through a July 21, 2025 request for information and August 22, 2025 industry day attracting over 88 responses from small and large businesses, but determined the FFRDC vehicle uniquely appropriate for this requirement.