Census Bureau Transformation & Application Modernization (CenTAM) - Draft Solicitation Sections for Industry Review and Feedback

The U.S. Census Bureau has released draft solicitation materials for the Census Bureau Transformation & Application Modernization (CenTAM) requirement, inviting industry feedback prior to issuing a competitive Request for Quotations (RFQ) under the General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS). This solicitation is a total small business set-aside, only open to small businesses and eligible joint ventures holding the GSA MAS Information Technology Category SIN 54151S. The pre-solicitation phase encourages vendors to submit all questions and comments by May 11, 2026, using a prescribed feedback template to help clarify and refine the final solicitation. There will be no formal Q&A after the final RFQ is issued, although the government may elect to open another round of clarifications if deemed necessary. The contract contemplates providing IT project management, systems engineering, cloud migration, architecture design, security remediation, and operational support services consistent with federal IT compliance and governance standards. Performance work includes deliverables such as test plans, risk management documents, architecture designs, and monthly administrative reports, all electronically submitted to government repositories for review and acceptance. The base contract period is one year from September 22, 2026, with seven one-year options thereafter. The place of performance is primarily the Census Bureau facility in Suitland, Maryland, with authorized remote work under strict security conditions. Evaluation factors differ by BPA category but prioritize demonstrated technical experience, management briefings, and technical merit significantly over price. Key personnel must be identified with strict substitution controls, and the award will be made on a best-value basis without discussions. Special contract requirements impose stringent security measures, including mandatory Top Secret and SCI clearance eligibility for personnel, non-disclosure agreements, compliance with NIST 800-53 controls, and safeguarding of Controlled Unclassified Information. Organizational conflict of interest provisions, facility access protocols, and encrypted handling of government data underscore the security posture required. Vendor proposals must conform to detailed submission instructions covering format, page limits, and electronic delivery to designated contracting officers, underscoring the competitive and highly regulated nature of this acquisition.