The Commonwealth requested technical assistance from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), its federal partner, in evaluating the construction of the Massachusetts health care Marketplace (HIX/IES). CMS requested IT and systems engineering assistance from The MITRE Corporation (MITRE), operator of the CMS Alliance to Modernize Healthcare (CAMH) Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). MITRE has developed substantive knowledge and understanding of the Commonwealth’s systems development life cycle. MITRE has also provided technical guidance and assistance to the Commonwealth through its engagement with CMS in supporting and assessing various stages of development through gate reviews.