The requirement supports the procurement software and associated support services for use by volunteer tax preparers under the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Electronic Tax Software Application (ETSA) project. The objective is to ensure reliable, secure,

The contract supports the procurement of electronic tax preparation and transmission software along with comprehensive support services for use by volunteer tax preparers in the IRS Electronic Tax Software Application (ETSA) project, ensuring secure, reliable, and efficient tax filing capabilities across approximately 12,000 domestic and 70 international sites. The base contract period runs from June 30, 2026, through June 29, 2027, with four optional one-year extension periods extending the potential term through June 29, 2031. Work includes development and delivery of desktop, web-based, and self-preparer software, live training sessions, help desk support, system documentation, and ongoing maintenance, all required to be operational by the 2027 tax season. Deliverables must comply with Section 508 accessibility standards, IRS IT security policies, Treasury formatting directives, and the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan, with performance metrics including 99% tax return processing accuracy and 95% help desk resolution rate. All data handling must enforce encryption at rest and in transit, and personnel accessing Sensitive But Unclassified information must complete IRS-mandated privacy and disclosure training, sign nondisclosure agreements, and comply with strict “need to know” access controls. The solicitation, numbered 2043FY-26-R-00007_V1, was posted on May 20, 2026, with responses due by May 28, 2026, and is open to all contractors without set-aside restrictions under NAICS code 541511 for IT services. Proposals must be submitted in two volumes—technical and price—with the technical volume capped at 25 pages across specified sections, formatted in Times New Roman or Arial, 11-point font, and submitted as .docx or PDF, while the price proposal must be in Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) format. Electronic submission is preferred with a 10 MB file limit, though physical media on USB drives may be mailed to an Atlanta address. The evaluation is based on a best value tradeoff, prioritizing technical capability (including relevant experience and software capability), past performance, subcontracting plan, and then price, with no use of lowest price technically acceptable. Contractors must comply with numerous FAR clauses including limitations on subcontracting, equal opportunity for veterans and workers with disabilities, biobased and recovered material certifications, and protections against contracting with