IRS FFRDC leaders Gene Cross and Bill Hutzler (standing at the whiteboard) at work with part of their team. Clockwise from Bill Hutzler are Mike Yaphe, Dolly Greenwood, Mike Blom, Anne Cady, Mike Layne (standing), (unknown), Diane Schulte, Clark Readler

One primary function of MITRE's CEM is to assist the IRS in managing its prime contractor, Computer Sciences Corporation, in the overall modernization effort. In this capacity, MITRE has a key role in establishing a governance strategy for the day-to-day management of the IRS modernization program.

MITRE is also contributing to the development of near-term and long-term governance structures for managing many of the IRS Modernization programs and projects. In addition, MITRE is assisting with the development of an expenditure plan for the release of the Information Technology Investment Account (ITIA) money that Congress set aside to fund the IRS Modernization effort.

A second portion of MITRE's work within CEM supports the IRS in moving toward an efficient Electronic Tax Administration (ETA). In particular, the IRS has asked MITRE to assist the ETA program in developing security, best-practices solutions for ETA, security technology migration strategies, and security posture assessment and risk management. MITRE's project team is providing the support needed for the IRS to expand ETA in a rapid, yet secure, manner. This area is one where CEM draws upon the substantive IT experience of MITRE staff, particularly in the Information and Security Technical Center (G020) for additional IT expertise. By using corporate IT resources, MITRE can provide the IRS with best-practice solutions and unbiased evaluations of commercial products that the IRS can adopt to ensure the security of taxpayer data and other confidential information.

IRS Commissioner Rossotti compares modernizing the IRS to refurbishing a fine old house while still living in it. Well-crafted pieces already exist, but new improvements have to be blended seamlessly with existing elemts to turn it into a world-class home. To do this requires a team effort where MITRE, the IRS, and their contractors roll up our collective sleeves and get the job done with maximum payoff and minimal incovenience to the taxpayer community and the IRS family alike. Dr. Gene Cross, MITRE Senior Vice President and Executive Director of the IRS FFRDC

A third area of MITRE's work within CEM focuses on the development of a new architecture for IT systems. As an IT company that supports many government partners, MITRE is uniquely qualified to assist the IRS in building an IT architecture that can deliver the business capability required by such a large government organization.

A fundamental element in the development of a modern IRS IT architecture is upgrading existing IRS computer systems. MITRE staff took part in the Alternative Analysis Initial Project Team (AAIPT) task force effort that analyzed possible ways to migrate away from the current Master Files and Integrated Data Retrieval System (IDRS) to a modernized environment. This AAIPT task force recommended a segmented migration approach that would allow the modernized and legacy systems to run in parallel until the migration is complete. The modernization of the Master Files is a critical element in the modernization of all IRS tax administration systems and will result in improved service to taxpayers.

As these examples illustrate, MITRE is committed to assisting the IRS with the development and implementation of a number of different components to its Modernization program. By using the intellectual capital and multidisciplinary talents of MITRE staff, CEM is able to supply the IRS with effective and innovative solutions to many of its IT challenges. As the work program for the IRS develops further, MITRE's CEM will continue to respond with the resources necessary to facilitate the modernization of our nation's tax administration system and the transition to a state-of-the-art IRS IT enterprise.

Page last updated: August 31, 1999   |   Top of page