IRS Releases New Request for Quote for Collection Contracts

On Friday, the Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), released its revised request for quote (RFQ) for the limited implementation phase of its Private Debt Collection program. The IRS intends to issue approximately three task orders for debt collection services to selected vendors from the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS), under the Financial and Business Solutions (FABS) Special Item Number 520-4. Currently, 94 collection agencies have a contract with GSA.

The original RFQ released earlier this year restricted bidders to only those GSA contract holders that also currently perform work for a Federal government entity under 520-4, limiting bidders to a select few of the total field of GSA contractors. Legal action prompted the withdrawal and subsequent re-release of this RFQ.

Nick Bernardo, principal of Net Gain Marketing, which advises collection agencies on how to pursue public sector contracting opportunities, noted, "Other than the explicit inclusion of all GSA vendors in the process brought about by legal action, not much has changed." He continued, "I would still caution many GSA contract holders to base their decision of whether or not to submit a bid for this phase on all available information and on all competitive forces surrounding this opportunity."

Proposals are due on November 15, 2005. To make awards, IRS will evaluate vendors' relevant experience and past performance information, technical approach, and management plan. Collection efforts under this limited implementation phase will begin in early 2006. The total period of performance will be 24 months.