Pilot IRS - EST Synthetic Data Initiative

PILOT IRS- Request for Information (RFI) 2032H5-20-N-00012

Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Enterprise Systems Testing (EST)

Synthetic Data Initiative

1.0 High-Level Summary

This RFI is part of the Pilot IRS Program. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Office of the  Procurement  Executive  is  requesting information about innovative, enterprise-wide  Artificial  Intelligence  (AI)  or  simulation engine systems that will allow developers and testers to  generate,  manage  and  control synthetic tax data. We are primary interested in: 1) an interactive prototype that simulates real- life events (similar to those that drive popular video games like ‘The Sims’) when its populated with statistical data about United States (US) household incomes and family sizes to create, track and generate output triggers for tax-related events; 2) a report/listing detailing the use of AI and/or non-AI Based data modeling and prototyping tools used in industry/government to simulate individual and household activities with tax impacts to drive an expanded synthetic data generation approach; and 3) a rough estimate of how much these tools would cost relative to  their return on investment (ROI).

2.0 Background

IRS Programmers and Testers are required to test new and updated Information Technology (IT) systems prior to production deployment. Enterprise Systems Testing (EST) staff support testing on more than 200 applications within IRS. Software testing requires meaningful data, and IRS policy allows limited use of copies of production data for pre-production development and

testing efforts. Production data does not ever contain ‘future’ conditions that will be coming in via new tax returns or payment types that are needed to test the application software. Production tax data, also known as Federal Tax Information (FTI) is highly sensitive and the use of such data in additional environments has a cost expressed as risk.

3.0 Specific Areas of Input Requested

IRS respectfully requests input from industry partners and other parties regarding the following inquiries/topics:

1. Provide summary background on any existing instances of AI and/or non-AI based data modeling/simulation tools and solutions in the federal space that you have deployed in government/industry to simulate individual and household activities with tax impacts to drive an expanded synthetic data generation approach for improved software testing. Address costs, implementation strategies used, challenges and impediments encountered, project timelines, and performance metrics
2. Are there known infrastructures/interfaces that will make this effort more difficult or easier if utilized? I.e., is the innovative solution not offered in a cloud /on-premise environment
3. Provide recommendations regarding our primary areas of focus, study, and provide recommendations on process improvement.
4. Provide any overarching recommended approaches for test data management and control technology in this space
5. Identify where a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) for contract cost to support this initiative would fall, with any notations for development, hosting, training and operations and maintenance
6. Provide potential ROI summary information that the IRS could reasonably expect to attain with the adoption and implementation of selected technologies in this space. 

4.0 Disclaimer

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. This notice should not be construed as a commitment by the Government for any purpose other than market research.  This announcement does not commit the Government to any contractual agreement. The Government is not seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this announcement or any follow-up information requests.

Respondents will NOT be notified of the results of the analysis. All data received in response to this Sources Sought synopsis that is marked or designated as corporate or proprietary information will be fully protected from release outside the Government. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly identified.  Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with all applicable Government regulations.  All documentation shall become the property of the Government and will not be returned.

The deadline for responses to this RFI is 08:00AM EST, April 23, 2020.  Responses should be forwarded via email to both the primary and secondary points of contact below.  Responses shall not exceed 5 pages and shall not contain any brochures, advertising or any other type of extraneous, graphic literature or documents that have not been requested and are not relevant or essential in demonstrating the company’s ability to provide the required services.  Vendors may provide links to relevant websites, as appropriate.

Vendors shall reference “RFI_Synthetic_Data” in the subject line of their response as well as in the subject line of any other e-mail correspondence referencing this notice.

** THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT RESPOND TO PHONE CALLS. **

Thank you for your interest.

Contracting Office Address:

IRS, 1111 Constitution Ave. NW

Washington, District of Columbia 20024

Primary Point of Contact:

Marcy Almeida

Marcela.a.almeida@irs.gov

202-317-4087

Secondary Point of Contact:

Mini Davis

Mini.Davis@irs.gov

240-613-3102