[Note:  Taxing Subjects normally focuses on issues related to management of tax and accounting services rather than internal procedures of the IRS.  However, this item may have a direct bearing on how well tax preparers are able to utilize the IRS computer systems in service to their clients.] 

Rep. Pete Roskam (R-IL), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee’s Oversight panel, has sent a letter to IRS Commissioner John Koskinen asking about the IRS decision to hire CGI Federal to provide “critical functions” related to the Affordable Care Act.  Under the contract, CGI Federal will be paid up to $4.5 million for its services. 

“As you know, in January 2014, the Department of Health and Human Services fired CGI Federal after its disastrous rollout of the HealthCare.gov website,” Roskam wrote. “Shortly thereafter, Massachusetts followed suit, firing CGI for its poor performance developing the state health exchange website.  Governor Deval Patrick called CGI Federal a ‘disappointing partner.’ 

“In August 2014, Vermont also fired CGI Federal for its ‘unacceptable’ work creating its state exchange website. I am concerned that just months after the HHS and Massachusetts firings, the IRS selected the same contractor to provide critical technology services related to the administration of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.” 

Roskam demanded that the IRS provide his subcommittee with the contract between the agency and CGI Federal, as well as the bids submitted by competitors, and the agency’s statement of the requirements for granting the contract. 

He also asked for “a description of when and how the IRS decided to hire CGI Federal, including the names of all IRS personnel involved in the decision-making process and a description of their roles in the process; all internal communications, including, but not limited to, e-mail correspondence and memoranda, regarding the IRS’s decision to hire CGI Federal; and a description of the controls the IRS has in place for this project to ensure that the problems associated with Healthcare.gov and the state exchange websites do not arise with this project.” 

Source: Rep. Pete Roskam at http://waysandmeans.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397945