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"The no-bid contract, which pays $7.25 million, is listed as a “sole source” acquisition, meaning the IRS has determined Equifax is the only business capable of

"The no-bid contract, which pays $7.25 million, is listed as a “sole source” acquisition, meaning the IRS has determined Equifax is the only business capable of providing this service." If they are the only business capable why not make them bid anyway just in case?

rblatz 9y ago
Seriously? They are the only ones? What about Lexis Nexis, experian, transunion?
- dismantlethesun 9y ago
  Clearly only Equifax has the level of competence sorely needed by government sponsored work. Surely, if anything goes wrong---it will at least be the things the government wants to go wrong.
- djKianoosh 9y ago
  it is likely this identity service product equifax bought in 2010: https://investor.equifax.com/news-and-events/news/2010/10-04-2010a https://investor.equifax.com/news-and-events/news/2010/10-04...
mceoin 9y ago
Because the functions of government bids are supposed to be clear and transparent. Large bidders over time build increasingly customized software for the government until there is lock-in. The greater problem here is the theory of competition when it comes to government, since it is often the case that there is little or no competition, and entrenched monopoly providers of government services and services to the government (separate things). Obvious to me that certain functions and competencies must remain inside the government and outside the profit motive. The inevitable outcome of niche provision of government services tends to be a parasitic relationship between government and corporate provider, and this ultimately costs citizens more in the long run - and not just taxes!
IncRnd 9y ago
If the IRS thinks that Equifax is the sole source for identity verification, especially after their breach, then the IRS must have realized how bad their identity verification of taxpayers has been for years...

rblatz 9y ago

Seriously? They are the only ones? What about Lexis Nexis, experian, transunion?

dismantlethesun 9y ago
Clearly only Equifax has the level of competence sorely needed by government sponsored work. Surely, if anything goes wrong---it will at least be the things the government wants to go wrong.
djKianoosh 9y ago
it is likely this identity service product equifax bought in 2010: https://investor.equifax.com/news-and-events/news/2010/10-04-2010a https://investor.equifax.com/news-and-events/news/2010/10-04...

mceoin 9y ago

Because the functions of government bids are supposed to be clear and transparent. Large bidders over time build increasingly customized software for the government until there is lock-in. The greater problem here is the theory of competition when it comes to government, since it is often the case that there is little or no competition, and entrenched monopoly providers of government services and services to the government (separate things). Obvious to me that certain functions and competencies must remain inside the government and outside the profit motive. The inevitable outcome of niche provision of government services tends to be a parasitic relationship between government and corporate provider, and this ultimately costs citizens more in the long run - and not just taxes!

IncRnd 9y ago

If the IRS thinks that Equifax is the sole source for identity verification, especially after their breach, then the IRS must have realized how bad their identity verification of taxpayers has been for years...