Accenture Federal Services was just named on a $2B contract with the IRS

Accenture Federal Services (AFS), the Arlington, Virginia-headquartered government tech branch of consulting giant Accenture, just landed a huge government contract.

AFS was awarded a contract position from the tax overlords (better known as the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS). The systems modernization blanket purchase agreement positions awarded to AFS have a collective ceiling value of $2.6 billion.

AFS declined a request for further comment on the news and the potential technology it will be developing.

“The IRS had the foresight and vision to create a contract vehicle with the ability to keep up with, or even ahead of, new legislative demands,” said Jessica Powell, a managing director at AFS, in a statement. “These reforms will result in faster processing of returns and quicker distributions of the credits and benefits that are vital to so many Americans. We’re thrilled to offer support to the IRS as they make these technology enhancements happen.”

With the contract, over 400 systems in the IRS’ development portfolio with be combined under one overriding agreement. The agency is looking to modernize its existing systems, develop its analytics and boost cybersecurity for taxpayers.

“We’re honored to support the IRS’ push to develop innovative ways for America’s millions of taxpayers to interact securely and effectively with the agency,” said Elaine Beeman, a senior managing director for the AFS Civilian portfolio.

This move follows another headline-making encounter between the IRS and a regional tech entity — albeit a more fraught one. Last year, DMV identity tech company ID.me was fielding privacy concerns following a deal to provide the agency with multi-factor authentication tech. According to ID.me CEO Blake Hall, the company’s federal partner ultimately offered a non-biometric verification pathway so users didn’t need to rely on facial recognition tech.