The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is enhancing its Technology Business Management (TBM) practices to support the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act Strategic Operating Plan and enhance its alignment with the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA). The objective is to improve IT portfolio management, cost transparency, and strategic decision-making by integrating TBM principles into existing systems and frameworks. The IRS seeks to leverage tools such as IBM Apptio and ServiceNow to drive better financial visibility, optimize IT investments, and accelerate technology delivery.

While continuing to meet its IT investment TBM reporting requirements from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Treasury, the implementation of TBM will allow IRS to mature its strategic planning and investment management efforts that support IT’s transformation efforts. The ability to accurately manage the IT portfolio across all CIO areas while partnering with business units service-wide will enable visibility into investment options, priorities and reporting. C

Under a Phase III SBIR, Forward Edge-AI is enhance the IRS’s analytics capabilities to support data-driven decision-making. This includes the development of advanced analytics tools, dashboards, and models that provide actionable insights into IT spending, performance, and strategic planning, leveraging current technologies and data sources.

Design and implement advanced analytics dashboards that aggregate data from multiple IRS systems. These dashboards should provide comprehensive insights into IT and business performance, facilitating better decision-making.

Develop a realistic, phased roadmap for enhancing the IRS’s analytics capabilities over time. This roadmap should outline steps for integrating more advanced analytics methods, such as predictive modeling, as the IRS’s data infrastructure matures. The focus should be on achievable goals within the current environment, with AI and machine learning considered as long-term objectives rather than immediate priorities.

Provide ongoing support for the development of custom reports and metrics that align with IRS strategic objectives and regulatory requirements. This includes maintaining and updating analytics tools as needed, ensuring they continue to meet the evolving needs of the IRS.

Enhance cost transparency within the IRS by implementing and maturing the TBM framework. This includes developing cost models, integrating financial data, and providing clear, actionable insights into IT spending and budget management. Including

Implement robust data management practices that ensure high data quality, consistency, and accessibility across all IRS systems. This includes integrating disparate data sources, automating data workflows, and ensuring that data governance aligns with TBM and other strategic initiatives.

Develop and implement a comprehensive data governance framework that supports consistent data quality and integration across key IRS systems that support TBM and other IRS IT and financial management reporting. The framework should enable accurate and timely decision-making by ensuring that data is clean, reliable, and accessible within the TBM platform and other IRS IT platforms.

Design and implement strategies for automating data collection, integration, and validation processes across IRS systems such as ServiceNow, Apptio, and other IRS systems. This will reduce manual intervention, enhance data accuracy, and ensure seamless data flow into the TBM reporting environment.

Provide detailed recommendations and implementation plans for resolving data quality issues and optimizing data management practices within key IRS systems. These plans should include the integration of legacy systems with cloud-based environments where applicable and outline how to leverage the TBM platform for comprehensive IT and financial reporting.

Develop and implement strategic planning and governance frameworks that guide the execution of TBM and data modernization initiatives. This includes the alignment of IT investments with IRS business objectives, and compliance with federal mandates.

Support enterprise architecture that aligns with IRS’s strategic goals and IT objectives, including integration with existing and future systems. This architecture will support the TBM framework and other modernization initiatives across the IRS.

Support the IRS in modernizing its technology infrastructure, including the replacement of legacy systems, adoption of cloud-based solutions, and the integration of emerging technologies such as AI and machine learning.

Ensure that all TBM and data modernization initiatives are fully compliant with federal security standards and regulations. This includes implementing robust security controls, conducting regular audits, and maintaining compliance with FITARA and other applicable frameworks.

Surge support of the ServiceNow tool across multiple parties to ensure the delivery and integration of the Technology Strategies and Roadmaps as outline in the Inflation Reduction Act Strategic Operating Plan Initiative .

Contract Number: FA864923P0345

Contractor Name: Forward Edge-AI, Inc.

Contractor Address: 10108 Carter Canyon, San Antonio, TX 78255

Expiration of SBIR Data: 11 November 2042

Protection Period: 20 years from award of contract on 01 November 2022

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