70RDA126R00000009 Solicitation - CSOP PIL Procurement tool - 8.17.26.pdf

CSO Solicitation No. 70RDA126R00000009

AI TECHNOLOGIES FOR PROCUREMENT MODERNIZATION

COMMERCIAL SOLUTIONS OPENING (CSO)

GENERAL SOLICITATION

70RDA126R00000009

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS)

Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) for AI Technologies for Procurement Modernization

GENERAL SOLICITATION

1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 Background

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was established in 2002, combining 22 different federal departments and agencies into a unified, integrated Cabinet agency. The Management Directorate is the Department’s operational support entity that supports asset management and logistics, budget and finance, human resources, information technology, procurement, and security functions.

DHS lines of business house data and information across numerous systems and tools that support acquisition, procurement, oversight, contract administration, reporting, and mission execution. DHS seeks to improve the efficiency, transparency, consistency, and effectiveness of procurement activities across DHS Headquarters and Components by enabling access to innovative commercial technologies that support the acquisition workforce.

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, Title VIII, § 880 (Pub. L. 114-328), as amended, authorizes DHS to carry out a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) Pilot Program to competitively procure innovative commercial products and services.

The CSO is a non-Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), merit-based solution selection strategy for DHS to acquire innovative commercial products and services through the use of general solicitation competitive procedures and the resulting award of a contract.

“Innovative, within the meaning of this statute, means any new technology, process, or method, including research and development; or any new application of an existing technology, process, or method. “Commercial product” and “commercial service” is defined in 41 U.S.C. §§ 103 and 103a.

The CSO provides Contracting Officers with procedural discretion and flexibility to solicit, evaluate, and award innovative commercial products and services in a simplified manner that maximizes efficiency and minimizes administrative burden for both the Government and industry.

DHS is issuing this General Solicitation for DHS HQ and all its Components to rapidly procure innovative commercial AI technologies and solutions to improve the federal procurement process.

2.0 SCOPE

The Department of Homeland Security requires a commercially available, innovative artificial intelligence (AI) solution to support and modernize all aspects of the acquisition and procurement lifecycle across all contracting activities and acquisition offices. Solutions should be adaptable, scalable, and capable of integration with DHS’s existing systems and processes.

The following task areas represent the broad scope of needs that DHS may address through this procurement. Solutions may address one or more of these areas, or other related needs:

a. Acquisition planning

b. Market research

c. Strategic Sourcing

d. Solicitation and contract creation (including selection of appropriate FAR clauses and other agency terms and conditions)

e. Quote/proposal evaluation and documentation

f. Post-award actions (such as debriefing and contract administration)

g. Acquisition workforce development and training

h. Acquisition policy implementation

i. Acquisition systems modernization

To further illustrate the diversity of operational needs, representative use-cases are provided in Appendix A. These examples are not intended to be exhaustive or prescriptive. Vendors are encouraged to propose solutions that address one or more of these use-cases, as well as other relevant challenges or opportunities for innovative technologies to improve operations within DHS acquisition and procurement functions.

This initial list of Strategic Focus Areas may evolve over time. The General Solicitation is designed to be dynamic and adaptable, reflecting the evolving nature of our requirements. Consequently, the Strategic Focus Areas may be revised periodically throughout the duration of the Solicitation as our objectives and needs develop. Throughout the open period, DHS may issue Amendments to the Solicitation to change the Strategic Focus Areas or provide more detailed information related to a specific Strategic Focus Area. These Amendments may include specific instructions and/or due dates.

3.0 OBJECTIVE

The objective is to identify and implement solutions that reduce administrative burden, increase efficiency, and enhance effectiveness for the DHS acquisition workforce across all contracting activities and acquisition offices. DHS’s Office of the Chief Procurement Officer (OCPO) intends to establish a centralized hub of innovative solutions that can be leveraged by contracting activities and acquisition offices across the Department, ensuring consistent access to modernized tools and technologies.

DHS is interested in a wide range of production-ready commercial solutions that leverage advanced technologies and best practices to address any function or process within the federal acquisition lifecycle. Solutions should be adaptable, scalable, and capable of integration with DHS’s existing systems and processes. The Government encourages submissions that demonstrate clear innovation, measurable impact, and the ability to address current and emerging needs across the DHS acquisition enterprise.

The goals of this General Solicitation are to:

• Advance DHS procurement modernization through increased resilience, efficiency, and transparency.

• Support mission-driven modernization of acquisition, oversight, and operational execution across DHS’s procurement activities.

• Strengthen acquisition outcomes by enhancing lifecycle planning, risk management, and coordination.

• Enable innovative solutions to complex and persistent procurement challenges.

4.0 PROBLEM STATEMENT

The use of AI technologies and the implementation of procurement modernization technologies is integral to support the DHS mission. DHS seeks to competitively procure innovative commercial technologies under the Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) to support and modernize all aspects of the acquisition and procurement lifecycle. The objective is to:

• Identify and implement solutions that reduce administrative burden.

• Increase efficiency.

• Enhance effectiveness for the DHS acquisition workforce across all contracting activities and acquisition offices.

DHS’s Office of the Chief Procurement Officer (OCPO) intends to establish a centralized hub of innovative solutions that can be leveraged by contracting activities and acquisition offices across the Department, ensuring consistent access to modernized tools and technologies.

DHS is interested in a wide range of production-ready commercial solutions that leverage advanced technologies and best practices to address any function or process within the federal acquisition lifecycle. Solutions should be adaptable, scalable, and capable of integration with DHS’s existing systems and processes.

The Government encourages submissions that demonstrate clear innovation, measurable impact, and the ability to address current and emerging needs across the DHS acquisition enterprise.

5.0 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

Preferred solutions should be cloud-native or cloud-first, containerized, and securely hosted, leveraging modern software components, frameworks, and basic monitoring. Solutions may also support hybrid or local deployment models where justified. All code and libraries should be sourced from verified providers or cloud service providers (CSPs), or subject to third-party penetration testing.

Solutions should demonstrate a blend of AI-generated and human-developed code, with automation supporting rapid deployment, and must be tested end-to-end in enterprise cloud environments, easily containerized, and transferable for sandbox testing. The solution should prioritize measurable end-user needs and accessibility, with clear, demonstrable use cases and verifiable system actions. There should be a clear understanding of how AI capabilities map to organizational data needs, including training and customization requirements. Finally, the solution should exhibit an AI governance posture, including robust zero-trust defenses and defined ownership of AI-specific risks.

6.0 EVALUATION FOCUS AREAS

DHS will review Phase 1 submissions on a rolling basis throughout the open period of the General Solicitation. The Peer Review Team will evaluate submissions as promptly as possible; however, no fixed timeframe is established for completion. Solutions will be assessed by DHS personnel to determine whether the vendor's submission has merit relative to evaluation criteria. During the assessment period, DHS may engage in exchanges with submitting entities regarding technical, price, or any other aspects of their submissions. DHS, in its sole discretion, may engage in exchanges with only one, some, all, or none of the submitting entities.

7.0 STRATEGIC INTENT

This requirement reflects DHS’s focus on securing AI technologies for procurement modernization in aiding the mission as a core element of homeland security. The Department is prioritizing solutions that acknowledges and prioritizes measurable, end-user needs and accessibility, with clear, demonstrable use cases and verifiable system actions.

8.0 PERIOD of PEFORMANCE

The period of performance will be a 12-month base period. The Government reserves to incorporate additional option period based on the vendor proposal.

9.0 PLACE of PERFORMANCE

Work will be performed at designated government facilities within the National Capital Region

(NCR).

10.0 ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES

To be determined upon acceptance of a solution.

11.0 PROCUREMENT AUTHORITY

The Government contemplates use of a peer review process to select the awardee(s) for this effort, using the Commercial Solutions Opening Pilot (CSO) Program authority granted to DHS under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, Title VIII, § 880 (Pub. L. 114-328), Pilot

Programs for Authority to Acquire Innovative Commercial Items Using General Solicitation Competitive Procedures.

12.0 EVALUATION/VENDOR ENGAGEMENT

12.1 General

Pursuant to the authority of NDAA 880, DHS has been vested with procedural discretion to make multiple contract awards resulting from the evaluation and determination of viable technology solutions. In accordance with this authority, proposals will be evaluated on their individual merits rather than on a comparative basis. Besides the criterion described in section 12.3 below, the concept paper responses must clearly demonstrate how the commercial item is offered in an innovative manner within meaning of the statue.

The concept papers will be evaluated against the evaluation criteria. Each concept paper submitted may be evaluated against the evaluation criteria separately and will not be evaluated against other concept paper responses submitted by other Offerors. More than one concept paper may be accepted.

The Government reserves the right to request interview-style oral presentations, technical demonstrations, or additional written information, if applicable, from one or more Offerors at any time during the Solicitation period.

Potential Follow-On Awards:

The Government intends to use the results, demonstrations, and working prototypes developed under this CSOP to refine its operational requirements. While this Pilot Program does not provide for non-competitive follow-on awards, the Government anticipates initiating a subsequent competitive procurement for full-scale production/sustainment. Participation in and successful completion of this CSOP may be considered as a key factor in evaluating technical capability and past performance in any such future competitive acquisition.

12.2 Submission Instructions

The Government is interested in receiving proposals that provide an AI technology for Procurement Modernization for DHS HQ and components. The Focus Area Topic under this CSO is AI technology.

Submissions must be received by August 26, 2026 @ 10:00 am. eastern time (ET). The Government will review responses as they are submitted and may award at any time. Resulting in one initial (1) Award.

The Solicitation will remain open for future Focus Area Topics for a period of 12 months.

In accordance with the CSO authority, the Government may enter directly into negotiations with selected vendor(s) to make a resultant award(s).

It is within the Government's discretion to accept more than one solution brief for an award resulting from this Solicitation. Interested parties may continuously submit video solutions throughout the open period of the General Solicitation.

Phase 1 Submission Instructions

• Solution videos should be submitted in the following format:

ο Videos should be no longer than five (5) minutes in length and uploaded via unique link to YouTube (www.youtube.com) or Vimeo (www.vimeo.com).

Screen recordings are acceptable and encouraged as part of the video. The production does not need to be elaborate; the focus is on clearly conveying the use case or application for the government and demonstrating the solution’s functionality and relevance to DHS needs.

• Solution video shall (at a minimum) include the following content:

ο Confirm and clearly describe that the technology solution proposed is a commercial item/solution.

ο Confirm and clearly describe that the technology solution proposed is innovative or how the commercial solution is offered in an innovative manner.

ο Demonstrate previous applications of the solution.

ο Identification of the Strategic Focus Area(s) addressed.

ο Description of the solution and relevant application to Strategic Focus Area(s).

ο Differentiators (company content choice).

ο A single entity may submit multiple solution videos throughout the term of the General

Solicitation. Each video submission requires a completed entry via email (with video link and written solution briefing).

ο Solution videos shall be unclassified, and must not include any proprietary information, export-controlled information, or controlled unclassified information ( CUI). Vendors shall not provide this information prior to Phase II.

• Solution videos must be accompanied by a written solution brief that shall include the following content:

ο Cover Letter (maximum 1 page), including:

Solution Title Link to Solution Video Company Name, Point of Contact Name, Phone Number, Unique Entity

Identifier Number, Email Address, and Address ο Executive Summary of the Technology; relevant to Strategic Focus Area(s)

(maximum 2 pages per Strategic Focus Area) http://www.youtube.com/ http://www.vimeo.com/

Phase 2 – Submission Instructions

Proposal Development

Vendors that are found to be within merit may be asked to participate in Phase 2 of this solicitation.

Phase 2 will include a response to the Technical Approach and Pricing Submission. The response to the Technical Approach should not be more than 10-pages. The Government reserves the right to request an Optional Oral Presentation/Technical Demonstration as part of the evaluation of Phase 2.

Technical Approach: Vendors shall provide a response to Attachment 1 – Statement of Work as it relates to the vendor’s proposed specific requirement

Pricing Submission: Vendors shall submit a price proposal that (1) reflects a sufficient understanding of the technical goals and objectives of the General Solicitation; (2) is consistent with the vendor’s technical approach; (3) is developed based on realistic assumptions, and (4) is fair and reasonable.

Optional Oral Presentation/Technical Demonstration:

At the Government’s discretion, Offerors may be invited to participate in an oral presentation and/or technical demonstration as part of Phase 2. The purpose of the oral presentation is to provide the Government with a clear, interactive view of how the proposed solution addresses end-user needs and solves the identified business problems. Offerors should be prepared to demonstrate their solution via an interactive screen, the application itself, or by showing code moving data in the background. The focus should be on demonstrating real-world application and impact, rather than on presentation polish.

If invited, the Offeror shall provide and be responsible for all costs related to the labor, supervision, tools, materials, equipment, transportation, and management necessary for the oral presentation/technical demonstration.

12.3 Evaluation Criteria

The following evaluation criteria will be used to assess the merit of all proposals. The evaluation criteria are listed below in order of importance from top to bottom.

Phase 1 Evaluation Criteria:

The evaluation will include an assessment of whether the proposed commercial product or service is innovative within the meaning of Section 880. the statute.

The following evaluation criteria will be used to evaluate Phase 1 submissions. The technical merit will be based on the following:

• How well does the submission identify a procurement-related problem relevant to DHS under one of the Strategic Focus Areas?

• How well does the submission describe an innovative, viable AI solution and relevant application to the problem?

• How well does the company describe differentiators, providing specific examples, evidence, and/or metrics that demonstrate the innovative value and advantage that it brings in the submission?

All individual Phase 1 submissions will be fairly evaluated; only those submissions that are innovative, commercial, and evaluated to hold technical merit will be invited to move forward with Phase 2. Submissions determined to be non-innovative will be rated, ‘Fail’, will not be evaluated against the remaining technical criteria, and deemed ineligible for award.”

After evaluating Phase 1, the Contracting Officer will formally notify the Submitter whether they have been invited to participate in Phase 2, or if their solution did not meet the Government's need Offerors not selected for award may request, within five (5) calendar days of notification of non-selection, feedback regarding the technical review findings of their submitted responses. DHS reserves the right to invite any number of vendors to participate in Phase 2 throughout the open period of the General Solicitation.

Companies may not participate in Phase 2 if they did not submit a solution video for consideration under Phase 1.

Phase 2 Evaluation Criteria:

Based on the Phase 1 evaluations, in accordance with the CSO authority, the Government may enter directly into negotiations with selected vendor(s) to make a resultant award(s).

• Technical Merit: Potential of the proposed AI solution to meet project goals and address the identified procurement challenges.

• Business Viability: Ability of the vendor to deliver and provide solutions that are in compliance with DHS – specific cybersecurity requirements.

• Price: Determined based on the understanding of the technical goals and objectives of the General Solicitation, is consistent with the vendor’s technical approach, developed based on realistic assumptions, and is fair and reasonable. Fairness, reasonableness, and alignment with technical objectives.

All resulting CSO awards are subject to the availability of DHS funding.

Following the evaluation of Phase 2, DHS will notify each vendor if they have been selected for award or if their solution is no longer being considered. Selected vendors will work with the Government to finalize the written statement of work/performance work statement, price submission, AI Compliance and Risk Management Plan, and appropriate terms and conditions

13.0 PEER REVIEW PANEL

A Peer Review Panel will be used to evaluate the concept papers submitted in response to this solicitation. The Peer Review Panel will consist of U.S. Government employees.

14.0 GENERAL

The cost of preparing proposals in response to this Request is not considered a direct charge to any resulting CSO contract award or any other contract. Proposal preparation costs are not recoverable.

The Government reserves the right to request additional written information, if applicable, from one or more vendors at any time during the Solicitation period.

Proposals should be limited to a page count of 2 letter size pages (8.5” x 11”) per Strategic Focus Area, with a font type of times new roman and a minimum font size of 12 pt for Phase I and 10 pages for Phase 2.

15.0 CONTRACT TYPE

It is intended that any resulting contract from this solicitation shall be Firm Fixed Price.

16.0 OPTIONS

DHS may establish options for future purchasing requirements. Options shall be executed in accordance with terms established in the resulting CSO contract.

17.0 PROPRIETARY MARKINGS

Offerors must mark any pages of the concept paper that contain business plans, technical information, pricing or other business sensitive information as proprietary information, which the Government agrees to safeguard.

To ensure that sensitive data is appropriately marked by the Offeror, include the following sentences on the cover page: “This concept paper includes data that shall not be disclosed outside the Government, except to non-Government personnel for evaluation purposes, and shall not be duplicated, used or disclosed – in whole or in part – for any purpose other than to evaluate this submission. If, however, an agreement is awarded to this Company as a result of – or in connection with – the submission of this data, the Government shall have the right to duplicate, use, or disclose the data to the extent agreed upon by both parties in the resulting agreement. The data subject to this restriction are contained in sheets [insert numbers or other identification of sheets].”

18.0 PROTESTS TO THE AGENCY

18.1 Protests under CSO awards shall be adjudicated as prescribed under DHS Agency-Level protest procedures.

Protest submissions shall be sent via e-mail to the Contracting Officer, Tracy Miller at Tracy.Miller@hq.dhs.gov and the Contract Specialist, Mariah Watt at Mariah.Watt@hq.dhs.gov

18.2 Offerors may seek assistance from the agency Advocate for Competition. The Department

Advocate for Competition and Procuring Activity Advocates for Competition are shown on the Doing Business with DHS page, and is accessible at:

https://www.dhs.gov/competition-advocates-and-task-order-and-delivery-order-ombudsman.

20.0 DHS CYBER HYGIENE CLAUSES

DHS will include specific Cyber Hygiene Clauses based on the proposed solutions in all resulting awards.

mailto:Tanya.Hill@hq.dhs.gov mailto:Mariah.Watt@hq.dhs.gov

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Clauses that may be incorporated at Award

A. Required Terms related to IT Security Requirements and Statutory Prohibitions.

1. Security requirements for contractor access to unclassified facilities, information resources, classified information, and controlled unclassified information. The clauses required by HSAR 3004.470-4 and HSAR Class Deviation 15-01, Revision 1, Safeguarding of Controlled Unclassified Information, as applicable, and ensure solicitations and awards identify the applicable information security requirements as well as documentation contractor employees must complete for determining contractor suitability may be included.

2. The Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act (FASCSA) of 2018 prohibits agencies from procuring, obtaining, extending or renewing a contract to procure or obtain, any covered article, or any products or services produced or provided by a source, including contractor use of covered articles or sources, if that prohibition is established by an applicable FASCSA order issued by the Director of National Intelligence, Secretary of Defense, or Secretary of Homeland Security (see FAR Subpart 4.23 and HSAM Subchapter 3004.23).

B. Data Rights

The United States Government (USG) have unlimited rights in all data, computer databases, computer software, as defined in FAR 52.227-14, developed during the performance of this task order, including manuals or instructional and training material for installation, operation, or routine maintenance and repair of items, components, or processes delivered or furnished for use. Additionally, all deliverables produced under this contract shall meet form, fit, and function requirements defined in FAR 52.227-

14. The USG have the right to use, disclose, reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute copies to the public, and perform publicly and display publicly, in any manner and for any purpose, and to have or permit others to do so.

C. Advance Payments

The CSO Contract cannot provide for advance payments. Advance payments are prohibited unless a statute specifically authorizes the advance payment. The CSO statute does not authorize advance payments.

Additional payment terms will be established during Phase 2.

Clauses and Compliance

• NIST AI Risk Management Framework (NIST AI RMF)

• NIST SP 800-53 – Security and privacy controls for federal information systems

• NIST SP 800-171 – Handling of Controlled Unclassified Information ( CUI)

All final terms and conditions must address CUI handling and compliance.

Additional FAR and DHS-specific clauses may be included as appropriate.

D. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Provisions

The Following FAR Provisions are hereby included by reference:

FAR Clauses/Provisions 52.240-90 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions Representations and

Certifications.

NOV 2025

52.222-90 Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors

APR 2026

E. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clauses

The Following FAR Clauses are hereby included by reference:

FAR Clauses/Provisions 52.203-16 Preventing Personal Conflicts of Interest JUN 2020 52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights and Requirement to

Inform Employee of Whistleblower Rights

NOV 2023

52.240-91 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions NOV 2025 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons (DHS FAR Deviation 26-10) NOV 2025 52.222-54 Employment Eligibility Verification (DHS FAR Deviation 26-10) NOV 2025

Additional FAR and supplemental DHS Clauses will be identified and included in the resulting CSO contract awards(s).

Intellectual Property:

• Intellectual Property rights shall be negotiated prior to a resulting contract award with those submitters deemed to have submitted a successful solution. The mutually agreed upon intellectual property terms and conditions shall be inserted into the resulting awarded contract.

• DHS Cyber Hygiene Clauses:

ο DHS will include specific Cyber Hygiene Clauses based on the proposed solutions in all resulting awards.

ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Examples likely to be incorporated into resultant contract.

1.0 DEFINITIONS

Administrative Modification: Changes that do not affect the substantive rights of the parties, such as changes in the paying office, appropriations errors and typographical errors.

Head of the Contracting Activity (HCA): The official delegated by the Chief Procurement Officer and the Senior Procurement Executive who is responsible for managing a Component’s procurement.

Government refers to the United States Government, including the DHS.

Parties, as used herein, shall refer to [CONTRACTOR NAME] and the United States of America, hereinafter called the Government, represented by DHS.

Contracting Officer (CO): Individual who can bind the Government to a contract within the scope of the authority delegated to the CO by the HCA.

Peer Review: An evaluation process using subject matter experts to evaluate the technical, scientific, and business merit of proposals in meeting Agency needs as stated in the General Solicitation.

2.0 ORDER OF PRECEDENCE

In the event of a conflict between the terms of this contract and other governing documents, the conflict shall be resolved by giving precedence in descending order as follows:

(1) The clauses of this contract.

(2) Any attachments to this contract.

3.0 MODIFICATIONS

A. Modifications to the contract may be proposed by either party. Only a CO has the authority to modify this contract on behalf of the Government.

B. The CO may unilaterally issue administrative modifications to the contract.

4.0 SUSPENSION AND TERMINATION PROCEDURES

A. The Government reserves the right to terminate the CSO for cause or for convenience of the

Government.

(1) The CO may suspend performance of this contract at any time by providing written notice to the contractor. Upon receipt of such a notice, the contractor shall cease performance until the

CO either (1) withdraws the suspension of work in writing or (2) notifies the contractor in writing of his or her intention to terminate this contract whether for convenience of the Government or for cause. If the suspension results in the incurrence of costs that the contractor was unable avoid, the contractor may request an equitable adjustment in writing to the CO.

(2) If the CO fails to provide further instructions within sixty (60) days from the notice to suspend work, this contract will be considered terminated for the convenience of the Government, and the contractor will cooperate with the Government with closing out his contract.

(3) The CO may terminate this contract in whole or in part for the convenience of the Government at any time by written notice. The contractor shall then cease further performance and take all reasonable measures to minimize any further incurrence of costs.

(4) If the contractor fails to comply with the terms and conditions of this contract, the CO will provide written notice of breach or deficiency to the contractor and will provide the contractor an opportunity to explain or correct the breach or deficiency within thirty (30) days from receipt of notice. As a result of any response by the contractor, the CO may (1) proceed with the termination for cause; (2) convert the termination to one for the convenience of the Government; or (3) direct the contractor to continue performance.

B. This contract may be terminated by the CO at the request of the contractor under the following conditions:

(1) The contractor shall notify the CO at least 30 days prior to the termination requested effective date.

(2) The notification shall state the reasons for the termination, the requested effective date, and, if a partial termination, the portion to be terminated. If the CO determines, in the case of a partial termination, that the reduced or modified portion of the award will not accomplish the purpose for which the award was made, the CO may terminate the award in its entirety.

C. The Government and the contractor will negotiate in good faith an equitable reimbursement for work performed for which the contractor has not received payment.

• Additional terms and conditions will be negotiated between the Government and Vendor for each individual resulting CSOP contract award(s).

5.0 PAYMENTS

The Contractor or its assignee may assign its rights to receive payment due as a result of performance of this contract to a bank, trust company, or other financing institution, including any Federal lending agency in accordance with the Assignment of Claims Act (31 U.S.C. 3727).

5.1 Payment and Invoice Instructions

An invoice must include—

1. Contract Number

2. Invoice Number

3. A description of the innovative commercial item(s)

4. Quantity received

5. The period of performance covered by the invoice

6. Terms of Payment

7. Payment Office

8. Amount claimed

9. Bank Account of Payee:

10. Bank Name:

11. Address:

12. Routing Transit Number:

13. Depositor Account Title:

14. Depositor Number:

The Contractor shall submit the invoice electronically to the address below:

ATTN: InvoiceMGT.Consolidation / E-mail: InvoiceMGT.Consolidation @ice.dhs.gov

Simultaneously provide an electronic copy of the invoice to the following individuals at the addresses below:

a) ATTN: Office of Procurement Operations/Mariah Watt (Contract Specialist) E-mail: Mariah.Watt@hq.dhs.gov

b) ATTN: Office of Procurement Operations/Tracy Miller (Contracting Officer) E-mail: Tracy.Miller@hq.dhs.gov

c) ATTN: Office of Chief Procurement Officer/ (COR) E-mail: TBD

The Contractor shall prepare and submit a sufficient and procurement regulatory compliant invoice and receiving report for technical certification of inspection/acceptance of services and approval for payment.

The Contractor shall attach back up information to the invoices and receiving reports substantiating all costs for services performed. The receiving agency’s written or electronic acceptance by the COR and date of acceptance shall be included as part of the backup documentation.

mailto:Mariah.Watt@hq.dhs.gov mailto:Tracy.Miller@hq.dhs.gov mailto:David.Jablonski@hq.dhs.gov

6.0 RETENTION AND ACCESS TO RECORDS

The contractor shall retain and maintain all records of performance, whether technical, business, and financial or other under this contract for a period of three years after the completion of this contract.

Those records shall be maintained in a manner that will provide easy access, use, and search by representatives of the CO or the Government Accountability Office.

7.0 SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT AND UNIVERSAL IDENTIFIER

REQUIREMENTS

A. Requirement for System for Award Management (SAM): The contractor must maintain the currency of the contractor’s information in the SAM until the contractor submits the final financial report required under this award or receive the final payment, whichever is later. This requires that the contractor review and update the information at least annually after the initial registration, and more frequently if required by changes in the contractor’s information or another award term.

B. Requirement for Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number7: If Contractor is authorized to make subawards under this award, Contractor: 7 “Unique entity identifier” (UEI) means the nine-digit number established and assigned by the General Services Administration (GSA) to uniquely identify business entities.

(1) Must notify potential subcontractors that no entity may receive a subcontract from

Contractor unless the entity has provided its UEI number to Contractor.

(2) May not make a subcontract to an entity unless the entity has provided its UEI number to Contractor.

(3) Contractor's financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to an award shall be retained by the contractor for the term of the contract. The CO shall be allowed access to these records.

8.0 FOREIGN NATIONALS

A. For purposes of this clause, foreign nationals are all persons not citizens of, not nationals of, nor immigrant aliens to, the United States of America. Nothing in this clause is intended to waive any requirements imposed by any other U.S. Government agency with respect to employment of foreign nationals or export control.

B. The contractor acknowledges that the technical data generated under this contract may be subject to export control, including disclosure to foreign nationals, whether such data is provided orally or in written form.

C. The contractor agrees to obtain written approval from the CO before assigning any foreign national to perform work under this contract or before granting foreign nationals access to data related to this contract, whether such data is provided by the Government or generated under this contract.

9.0 PROTECTION OF INFORMATION

Contractor access to unclassified but Security Sensitive Information may be required under this SOW. Contractor employees shall safeguard this information against unauthorized disclosure or dissemination in accordance with DHS MD 11042.1, Safeguarding Sensitive But Unclassified (For Official Use Only) Information. The Contractor shall ensure that all Contractor personnel having access to business or procurement sensitive information sign a non-disclosure agreement, DHS Form 11000-6. Contractor shall protect personal identifiable information (PII) under the Privacy Act Contractor employees shall safeguard this information against unauthorized disclosure or dissemination in accordance with the law and Government policies and regulations.

10.0 PROTECTED CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE INFORMATION

Non-Disclosure of Protected Critical Infrastructure Information (CII)

The parties have agreed to implement a Rule promulgating new regulations at Title 6 Code of Federal Regulations Section 29.8(c) to govern procedures for handling critical infrastructure information. The regulations detailed in the Rule, which was effective upon publication pursuant to Section 808 of the Congressional Review Act, were promulgated pursuant to Title II, Section 214 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, known as the “Critical Infrastructure Information Act of 2002” (CII Act).

The Contractor shall not request, obtain, maintain, or use Protected CII without a prior written certification from the Protected CII Program Manager or a Protected CII Officer that conforms to the requirements of Section 29.8(c) of the regulations in the Rule.

The Contractor shall comply with all requirements of the Protected CII (PCII) Program set out in the CII Act, in the implementing regulations published in the Rule, and in the PCII Procedures Manual, as they may be amended from time to time and shall safeguard Protected CII in accordance with the procedures contained therein.

The Contractor shall ensure that each of its employees, consultants, and sub-Contractors who work on the PCII Program have executed Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) in a form prescribed by the PCII Program Manager. The Contractor shall ensure that each of its employees, consultants and sub- Contractors has executed a NDA and agrees that none of its employees, consultants or sub-Contractors will be given access to Protected CII without having previously executed a NDA.

11.0 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S AUTHORITY

The Contracting Officer (CO) is the only person authorized to approve changes in any of the requirements of this contract. In the event the Contractor effects any changes at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the changes will be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustment will be made in the contract price to cover any increase in costs incurred as a result thereof. The Contracting Officer shall be the only individual authorized to accept nonconforming work, waive any requirement of the contract, or to modify any term or Government funds. No cost chargeable to the proposed contract can be incurred before receipt of a fully executed contract or specific authorization from the Contracting Officer.

Attachment 1 – Sample Statement of Work Procuring AI Technologies

1.0 Introduction

DHS seeks to acquire AI technologies and services to enhance mission performance, ensure public safety, and support operational efficiency. The Contractor shall provide AI systems, integration services, and lifecycle support. The Contractor must deliver safe, secure, responsible, trustworthy, ideologically neutral, and human-centered AI capabilities that align with DHS’s privacy, security, civil rights, and transparency requirements.

2.0 Scope

The Contractor shall furnish all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision, and other services necessary to develop, deliver, integrate, manage, maintain, and enhance AI technologies, models, and systems for DHS mission needs. Services must cover the entire AI system lifecycle, including planning, development, testing, deployment, sustainment, auditability, risk management, and responsible decommissioning.

3.0 Objectives

The primary objectives of this contract are to:

• Deploy AI capabilities that are safe, secure, truth-seeking, ideologically neutral, effective, and explainable.

• Safeguard data rights, privacy, civil rights, civil liberties, and security throughout the AI lifecycle.

• Enhance DHS mission execution by applying AI to operational challenges.

• Manage AI risks, including cybersecurity, algorithmic alignment to mission, and performance degradation.

• Ensure interoperability and avoid vendor lock-in by adhering to open standards, clear data, model and data portability requirements.

3.1 Anticipated Results:

Specify the nature and extent of the expected outcomes, including measurable improvements to procurement processes, end-user benefits, and how the solution addresses identified DHS challenges.

4.0 Specific Tasks and Performance Requirements

4.1 AI System Development and Integration

Develop, adapt, or integrate AI technologies that align with DHS mission needs.

Implement secure-by-design principles and cybersecurity safeguards per NIST AI Risk Management Framework.

Ensure AI models are explainable, documented with model cards, and subject to validation and verification protocols to comply with Unbiased AI Principles.

DHS Guide: Procuring Artificial Intelligence (Version 1.1, March 2026)

Performance Standard: AI systems must demonstrate 95% operational accuracy under Government-defined testing protocols, with explainability documentation available for all critical model decisions.

4.2 Data Management and Rights

Implement data inventory management for all training, validation, and operational data.

Clearly define and protect DHS ownership rights to all government-furnished and government-generated data.

Prevent unauthorized commercial use of government data without prior written consent.

Performance Standard: 100% compliance with data rights and data security provisions, as verified during quarterly audits.

4.3 AI Usage Disclosures

Disclose all AI use cases, including the original developer’s acceptable use policy, models, training sources, third-party tools, and decision-making components in model, system, and/or data cards.

Provide updated disclosure reports semi-annually or upon significant system changes.

Performance Standard: 100% timely disclosure of all AI uses within contractually specified periods.

4.4 Privacy, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties Protection

Conduct Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) where required.

Implement safeguards against prohibited category discrimination and bias.

Maintain audit logs of AI system activities for inspection and oversight.

Performance Standard: Zero validated instances of unauthorized disclosure of PII or civil rights violations.

4.5 AI Lifecycle Support and Maintenance

Maintain, update, and sustain AI capabilities to meet evolving DHS operational needs.

Document and pre-approve any planned functional changes to AI systems before deployment.

Performance Standard: System uptime of 99.9% per quarter and zero unapproved AI functionality changes.

4.6 End User Support:

Create and maintain end user resources such as product tutorials, developer guides, and other tools to ensure maximum utility of the AI technology.

Develop dedicated mechanisms for end user feedback to contractor on AI outputs that violate safety and security standards or Unbiased AI Principles in case of LLMs.

DHS Guide: Procuring Artificial Intelligence (Version 1.1, March 2026)

Performance Standard: 100% end user support of all AI uses within contractually specified periods.

5.0 Deliverables

Deliverable Description Due Date AI System and Documentation

Deployed system with detailed technical documentation

As defined

Data Rights Report Inventory of datasets and data ownership declarations

Within 30 days of system delivery

AI Disclosure Reports Full description of AI tools, models, and functionalities

Semi-Annually

Risk Assessment Reports Cybersecurity, privacy, truth-seeking, and ideological neutrality risk assessments

Annually and upon major changes

Model Cards Model documentation per NIST AI RMF standards

With each system deployment

End User Support Create and maintain end user resources such as product tutorials and dedicated feedback mechanisms

With each system deployment

Final Transition Plan System decommissioning and data, derived products turnover plan

60 days prior to contract closeout

6.0 Government-Furnished Property and Information

The Government will provide access to necessary data, facilities, systems, and documentation required for the execution of this contract.

7.0 Security Requirements

Contractor personnel shall obtain DHS suitability determinations as applicable and comply with DHS 4300A/B Sensitive Systems Policy and Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) requirements inclusive of obtaining an Authority to Operate (ATO).