See my blogpost “Behind That Curtain,” 7/6/21. I was beyond astonished to discover the role played by a crew of freelance Genius Baristas, operating under the name and style “18F”, in the creation (if that is the correct term) of the DAWSON system, the current Tax Court portal. Were these dudes the authors of DAWSON?

Well, as I said at the conclusion of my blogpost hereinabove-cited, “I think I may have to seek further illumination from Tax Court my own self.” Suiting the action to the word, I sent today, by first-class USPS mail, postage prepaid, the following request to the Clerk.

“I am informed by a representative of Tax Court Public Affairs that I must address requests for information to you. Therefore, I address to you the following requests for information. Please be advised that I will publish your responses in my blog taishofflaw.com in full, without alteration, but with such editorial commentary as I alone see fit.

All terms used herein have their ordinary meanings, except as expressly otherwise herein stated. The singular includes the plural, and each gender includes the others as the context may require.

If any privilege is asserted, state the basis for such assertion with reasonable particularity in each instance.

Concerning the preparation for, and launch, of the current Tax Court DAWSON system (hereinafter, the “system”):

1) Was the system prepared by past or present Tax Court employees?

2) If the system was so prepared, state names and job titles of those employees at the time the system was first prepared, and those still employed as at the date first written at the head hereof.

3) If the system was prepared by persons other than past or present Tax Court employees, state the names and job titles of those persons; if employees, state the name or names of their employer or employers. State whether any such persons are independent contractors, and state any d/b/a used by any of them.

4) Was any contract for preparation and launch of the system awarded as the result of competitive bidding?

5) If the award of any such contract was to be the subject of competitive bidding, provide the text of any request for proposals or solicitation of bids.

6) If no such contract was solicited, why was it not?

7) If any such contract was solicited but not awarded, why was it not?

8) Was any preliminary or “beta” version of the system prepared?

9) If any preliminary or “beta” version of the system was prepared, was it made public?

10) If no such preliminary or “beta” version of the system was prepared, why was it not?

11) If any such preliminary or “beta” version was prepared, but not made generally available to the public, to whom was it shown? State the names and affiliations of all such persons.

12) If any such preliminary or “beta” version was prepared, but not made generally available to the public, what criteria were used to determine to whom it would be shown?

13) If any such preliminary or “beta” version was prepared, but not made generally available to the public, why was it not shown to the public generally?

14) What was the total cost of the system, from preparation to launch?

15) Did any contract entered into provide for payment to be made, in progress payments as the work progressed?

16) Has the entire contract price, or otherwise agreed price, of the system been paid to date?

17) Was any portion of the entire price of the system held back to assure proper completion?

18) Is any preparer of the system obligated in respect of any warranties or guarantees with respect to such preparer’s work or contributions to the system?

19) If any preparer of the system is obligated in respect of any warranties or guarantees with respect to such preparer’s work or contributions to the system, what are the terms of any warranties or guarantees giving rise to such obligation?

20) Is there any ongoing maintenance or repair obligation on the part of any preparer of the system, other than any such warranty or guarantee?

21) If there is any ongoing maintenance or repair obligation on the part of any preparer of the system, other than under the terms of any of such aforesaid warranty or guarantee, what payments have been made, and remain to be paid, if any, in respect thereof?

I reserve the right to submit further requests from time to time and at any time.”

I’ll post any reply I receive in full, without alteration. And make any comments I deem appropriate.

Cain’t hardly wait.