How to Win a CenTAM Contract: Rise to the Challenge

The Census Bureau is preparing to release the Decennial Transformation & Application Modernization (CenTAM) procurement in early 2025. CenTAM will provide the Census Bureau with a contract that can help manage various application modernization services. This is an excellent opportunity for prime contractors to get in on the ground floor as the Census Bureau ramps up operations in preparation for the 2030 Decennial Census.

Table 1 presents CenTAM facts, followed by a bid description and an analysis of what it will take to win a contract.

Table 1: CENTAM Facts At-a-Glance

Description of Work

The Census Bureau spent FY21 examining lessons learned and initiating the early planning phase. From FY22 to FY24, it entered the design selection phase. During the design phase, the Census Bureau tested research projects, created an integrated master schedule, and identified major innovations it wanted to pursue.

From FY25 to FY28, the Census Bureau is in the development and integration phase. During this phase, it will release its operational plan, conduct tests of field operations, and improve upon its supporting systems. Therefore, CenTAM’s scope will be broad. It will involve modernizing existing applications and developing new ones to support the varied 2030 Decennial programs. These systems will span IT automation, collaboration, research methodologies, security, and data management. Offerors will likely provide a combination of program and project management, systems engineering, applications management, testing, and data science services.

What it Takes to Win

The first step in winning a CenTAM contract is understanding the lessons learned from the 2020 Decennial Census, as documented in the 2020 Census: Lessons Learned from Planning and Implementing the 2020 Census Offer Insights to Support 2030 Preparations document. In addition, develop a strong team highly capable of supporting the varied Decennial tasks. Offerors should also consider these core concepts when preparing their offer:

• Demonstrate an Ability to Adapt to Budgetary Uncertainty: Offerors must understand the highly volatile funding associated with a Decennial Census and its effect on contract operations. Budgetary constraints were a significant challenge during the 2020 Census, leading to the cancellation of several planned tests and research activities. Therefore, contractors should develop flexible project plans that identify which features are critical to the project’s success and prioritize them in early phases. This approach ensures that the most essential elements are protected despite budget cuts. Finally, offerors should consider planning for phased implementation; this strategy helps manage costs and provides opportunities to add feedback and make necessary adjustments.
• Prioritize IT Development and Cybersecurity: The 2020 Census faced challenges due to delayed IT decisions and increased cybersecurity risks. To address this, contractors should highlight a clear roadmap for IT development that includes early decision points. They should also provide comprehensive cybersecurity strategies that protect against data breaches and ensure data integrity and privacy.
• Enhance Program Management Practices: Provide a thorough plan for managing costs and schedules, demonstrating the ability to stay on track even when conditions change. Identify potential risks early and propose detailed mitigation and contingency plans. Show how your team will proactively monitor risks and adapt plans to minimize impact.
• Leverage Local-Level Data: Design systems that can easily incorporate and analyze local data, enhancing operations’ accuracy and efficiency. Ensure that proposed systems are flexible enough to accommodate the diverse conditions across different geographic areas.
• Implement Innovative Testing Approaches: Propose using Agile frameworks that facilitate continuous testing and feedback loops. Also, emphasize the importance of gathering and incorporating feedback throughout the development process. This iterative approach ensures that the final product is well-aligned with user needs and operational requirements.

Conclusion

The CenTAM procurement offers prime contractors a significant opportunity to contribute to modernizing the Census Bureau’s IT infrastructure as it prepares for the 2030 Decennial Census. Success in this endeavor requires leveraging lessons from the 2020 Census, including developing flexible project plans, prioritizing IT development and cybersecurity, and enhancing program management practices. Contractors must also focus on integrating local-level data and employing innovative testing approaches to ensure systems are adaptable and efficient. By demonstrating these capabilities, contractors can position themselves as vital partners in this transformative project of national importance.

If you need assistance preparing your CenTAM proposal response, contact us.

Relevant Information

• Secure Your Future: The Ultimate List of 2025 Mega Bids

• Seize OASIS+ Opportunities in 2025 Now

• VIDEO: How Small Businesses Can Crush Corporate Goliaths with Effective Proposals

By Brenda Crist, Vice President at Lohfeld Consulting Group, MPA, CPP APMP Fellow

Lohfeld Consulting Group has proven results specializing in helping companies create winning captures and proposals. As the premier capture and proposal services consulting firm focused exclusively on government markets, we provide expert assistance to government contractors in Capture Planning and Strategy, Proposal Management and Writing, Capture and Proposal Process and Infrastructure, and Training. In the last 3 years, we’ve supported over 550 proposals winning more than $170B for our clients—including the Top 10 government contractors. Lohfeld Consulting Group is your “go-to” capture and proposal source! Start winning by contacting us at www.lohfeldconsulting.com and join us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube^(TM).

Brenda Crist

See Full Bio