eZ Audit Operations and Maintenance and Acceptability Services

The use of this authority is supported by the contractor’s unique qualifications. Collabralink Technologies, Inc., has employees that have operated and maintained the eZ-Audit system, for over 10 years. Collabralink is the only company situated with capabilities, experience, and the expertise needed to immediately deliver eZ-Audit O&M Support, perform acceptability reviews, and continue to meet scheduled releases without further training, IT System approvals, operations validations, or an interruption to service.

After a meeting to discuss the future plans of eZ-Audit, and its migration to the Partner Connect solution, it was determined that the integration of eZ-Audit would take at least 3 months to implement, based on a basic understanding of the requirements.

Also, due to surges in submissions during the peak seasons for audit reporting, with the next one expected June 30, 2025, without continued service by Collabralink, no other vendor would be able to be onboarded and in position to accommodate the influx as well as maintain the current support needed to keep the eZ-Audit system running effectively. Based on these factors, there is a need to continue with the incumbent vendor until the Next Gen Partner Connect environment is available and deployed.

FSA has determined a significant amount of risk and transition time would be incurred by having a new vendor assume operations and maintenance for the current configuration of the underlying system. The remaining period of performance for this order, does not allow time for a recompete and the necessary time needed to get another vendor onboarded. The eZ-Audit system and the review/analysis work performed by Collabralink are vital components in FSA’s oversight to its Title IV partners.

Failure to maintain the eZ-Audit system would prevent over 4100 partner entities from making their required audit submissions in accordance with the following regulations: Institutions - (34 CFR 600.20(a) or (b)), (34 CFR 600.20(g)), (34 CFR 668.23), (34 CFR 668.26(b)) Third Party Servicers - CFR 668.23(a) (3), 668.23 (c)(1) Lenders - CFR 428(b)(1)(U), 20 USC 1078(b)(1)(U) and 34 CFR 682.305(c) Lender Servicers - 34 CFR 668.23(d)(5) Guaranty Agencies - 34 CFR 682.410(b)(1) Guaranty Servicers - 34 CFR 682.416(e) eZ-Audit is a mission critical system which allows FSA to collect, track, analyze, and resolve audit submissions from its Title IV partners as well as identify potential risks to Title IV funds.

Loss of this system/order would severely impact the Department’s ability to resolve compliance audits within the required 180-day timeframe, hinder the Department’s ability to provide timely financial responsibility (composite score and 90/10 revenue attestation) data to Congress, and delay enforcement of current policies and regulations.