Industry Call FY25 Q3 QAs.pdf

CO Division Slide posted/updated

Question Response

With respect to new opportunities, will USCIS be issuing a draft solicitation for industry comment and feedback prior to the release of the final RFP?

The decision to issue a draft solicitation for industry comment and feedback prior to the release of the final RFP is made on a case by case basis for each acquisition.

The awarded contract for Digital Strategy Support Services (70SBUR24R00000009), unfortunately had a protest recently sustained. It is not in the forecast provided. What is the government’s plan for re-evaluation or re-solicitation of this opportunity.

The government is in the process of determining the best course of action. If a resolicitation is determined to be in the best interest of the government there will be an APFS record issued.

Hart Tech 61

APFS F2024068010- ECN II: The estimated solicitation release date is May 2025 which is fairly imminent but the update indicates the contract vehicle is still “TBD.” However, the current APFS posting indicates 8(a) STARS III as the contract vehicle.

Question: Can the Government please deconflict the contract vehicle status between this update and the current APFS posting? And if the acquisition strategy is still TBD, can the Government please provide information as to when the contract vehicle and any small business set-aside will be finalized and will an updated APFS be posted?

The APFS record is up to date and the Q3 Industry Day Slides have now been updated to reflect the same. We plan to utilize 8(a) STARS III for this acquisition.

Brumfiel Tech 64

F2024065926- NEON II: The estimated solicitation release date looks like it was updated but the date is 03/2025, which is past. The slides also indicates “Please monitor the DHS APFS for updates.”

Question: Is the 03/2025 date a mistake? The current APFS posting indicates a May 21 release date. Was this date supposed to have been updated to a future date/timeframe? Or should we wait for the APFS update to understand the new timeline?

Yes that Date should reflect May 21 2025 as the current estimated soliciation release date.

Disclaimer: The response to the questions provided herein may differ from the solicitation that is released for the requirement. Industry should reference the released solicitation and not hold the government liable for any responses listed herein.

TECHNOLOGY DIVISION

FY25 Q3 Industry Call Q&As (April 29, 2025)

OPERATIONS DIVISION

PRE-CALL SUBMITTED QUESTIONS

HOST

General OCON

Vollbracht Tech 85

“GSA MAS” and the small business program as “N/A.” The update also indicates USCIS is still planning to release an RFI in FY25Q3.

Question: Since USCIS seems to still be conducting market research and plans to release an RFI, is the contract vehicle and small business program information accurate? Or should these be “TBD?” Or is GSA MAS unrestricted the planned contract vehicle pending RFI responses?

USCIS is continuing market research efforts and an RFI is still anticipated to be released in FY25 Q3. The APFS record reflects what is currently anticipated and will be updated to reflect market research findings should this change.

General We have seen RFPs cancelled or paused due to DOGE. Do you expect any of the RFPs discussed in these slides cancelled or paused due to DOGE or will they go forward without issue? No issues seen at this time.

General

Please provide a link to the industry day registration. USCIS is not planning on hosting an industry day this year. The next quarterly engagement with industry will be held in the 4th quarter and is tentatively scheduled for July 29, 2025. Please monitor SAM.gov for an announcement regarding this event, which will contain information regarding the registration process.

General When the contract vehicle field simply says "GSA Schedule" -is safe to assume you mean GSA MAS? Yes.

SBS

There were several opportunities that were 8(a) set asides and where USCIS has already identified a vendor. How do you recommend that other 8a firms get on your radar during market research so that instead of sole source, it becomes a competitive 8a?

There are several factors that go into whether an 8(a) award will be issued on a sole source or competitive basis. First, requirements with a total estimated dollar value under the competitive threshold (currently $4.5M) will generally be issued on a sole source basis. One exception to this may be when placing an order off of an existing contract vehicle which allows for 8(a) competitive orders at any dollar value. Additionally, in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 19.805-1(d), a Contracting Officer may request for a competitive 8(a) award below the competitive threshold, however, such requests will only be approved on a limited basis, primarily when there are a large number of responsible 8(a) participants available for competition or where technical competition is appropriate.

Such requests must be approved by the SBA Associate Administrator for Business Development. See response in row 28 for additional relevant information.

SBS

How do we get on the radar for a DA or if we want to show solutions to a direct awarded contract

The intent is that requirements over SAT will be published in APFS as soon as the requirement is known. Please monitor APFS regularly, and when you have identified an opportunity your company is both interested in and capable of performing, it is recommended that you reach out to the points of contact listed within the record, expressing your interest and capabilities.

Achin OPS 19 F2025069297-IDEA

During and Post Call Questions and Answers

OPERATIONS DIVISION

USCIS Small Business Specialist

General

Will IDEA stay multi award?

IDEA was not multi-award. It's a follow on to a sole source 8(a) contract that was previously below the competitive 8(a) threshold. The follow-on contract is above the competitive 8(a) threshold and we anticipate issuing a solicitation as a competitive 8(a) set aside.

Hello, is IDEA (slide #19) a multi-award task order? Also how is it related to WARM (slide #18)m as I see same contract # under both.

The IDEA contract is a single award. It is not related to the WARM project on slide 19. The reference to the contractor working on the WARM project was an administrative oversight and the APFS record will be corrected.

Also was there an RFI for IDEA? No, an RFI was not issued for IDEA.

for IDEA, are both ChangeIS and Amivero current incumbents, or is this 2 current contracts being combined into one?

The reference to ChangeIS was an administrative oversight. ChangeIS is the incumbent for the WARM project on slide 19. The IDEA contract is a single award estimated above the competitive 8(a) threshold and we anticipate issuing a solicitation as a 8(a) set aside.

Turner 25

F2025069599-Forms Support Services Might Forms Support Services end up being a Direct Award, given its size? I've seen this happen a few times in the past.

Thanks

The current procurement plan is to award via competitive 8(a) Could we get some sense of what the steps in the procurement process for the Forms Support opportunity will be? Is it a two phase or three phase?

The evaluation approach is currently under development by the contracting team

Tanis 26

F2022059380-PACTS III

Have all PACTS III awards been issued? No information to share at this time.

Shinney 37

F2024068175-CCT1

Good afternoon. Will there be a Draft RFP released for CCT1?

Yes, we intend to post a draft RFP at time of announcement of an Industry Day for this requirement. Our schedule is slipping some, so we are not certain the timeframe for this posting but expect it to be ~end of May / early June 2025. We do not yet know where this posting will occur. If the acquisition determination is that this will be posted to GSA, then the draft RFP it will appear there. Otherwise, it will likely be posted to SAM.gov.

APFS will be updated once this decision is made.

Shinney 39 F2024068055- Regulatory Support Servicees

Given that the Regulatory Support Services RFQ is currently restricted to OASIS+, would the agency consider broadening the procurement approach to maximize competition and allow evaluation of existing, FedRAMP-authorized technology like DocketScope that is already proven for this type of work across more than 20 agencies?

The Government is required to consider whether a strategic sourcing vehicle exists rather than issue a new stand-alone contract. Market research conducted has resulted in a determination that the OASIS+ vehicle does meet the requirement of the Government and encompasses vendors with FedRAMP authorized technology in addition to the professional services listed in the draft PWS posted with the RFI on SAM.gov. OASIS+ is a department-wide vehicle that must be used unless a waiver is processed through the Agency.

Riley 46 F2025069318-Admin & Clerical Support Services for OCC For Admin and Clerical Support- what is the Definitive Contract designation mean- Will that be on SAM or direct awards? Do you have a firm already identified? Direct Award 8(a), At this time, we do not have a firm identified.

Admin & Clerical SS-What acquisition vehicle is being consider for this opportunity? Direct Award 8(a), At this time, we do not have a firm identified.

GENERAL

Can you please provide the email address for Patrick Gadwah?

Patrick.c.gadwah@uscis.dhs.gov

GENERAL

When can industry expect awards to be made for RAPID, RIVER, and AES? To be determined.

TECHNOLOGY DIVISION

mailto:Patrick.c.gadwah@uscis.dhs.gov

GENERAL

The MTO opp was not covered in this session. Will CIS be covering it in a subsequent industry day and should industry expect a draft solicitation?

To be determined.

GENERAL

With the emergence of AI and the drive for efficiency across government, will USCIS continue its practice of conducting multiple stage competitions for development contracts that typically include corporate experience, then some form of a code challenge and pricing? Also will USCIS refrain from using domain expertise (immigration experience) to broaden the pool of vendors that can compete for technology contracts at

USCIS?

To be determined. This will be decided during the market research phase of each aquisition.

GENERAL For coding challenges, will USCIS be requiring the use of AI, ban the use of AI, or leave it to the vendors to decide?

Requirement specific, please refer to the ultimate solicitation(s) when released.

Gross 55 EIS Contact Center II- Do you know if you intend to combine the staffing services and telecom services for the EIS II contract or do you plan to solicit the staffing services for contact center agents separate from the telecom services?

This requirement is still in the early phases of market research and has not been determined.

Gross EIS - contract vehicle decision?

This requirement is still in the early phases of market research and has not been determined.

Gross

Do you know if you intend to combine the staffing services and telecom services for the EIS II contract or do you plan to solicit the staffing services for contact center agents separate from the telecom services?

This requirement is still in the early phases of market research and has not been determined.

Gross 55 eAuto- What is the Acquisition strategy for eAUTO ?

Market research is currently being conducted to determine the acquisition strategy for this requirement.

Kurtz 60

F2025068410-PLANXS II

What contracting vehicle will be used for PLANX II? We plan to utilize GSA MAS.

Kurtz 57&60 Will there be an industry day for F2025068410-PLANXS and/or F2025068411-FIRE? We do not plan to hold industry days for either of these opportunities.

Kurtz 57

F2025068411- FIRE (Flexible Innovation for Rapid Engineering) f/k/a DIDit III For coding challenges (for ODOS or FIRE), will USCIS be requiring the use of AI, ban the use of AI, or leave it to the vendors?

Requirement specific, please refer to the ultimate solicitation(s) when released.

Hart 61

F2024068010-ECN II

WRT the Enterprise Collaboration Network (ECN II), do you realistically expect to release the final RFP this Friday, May 2, as indicated in the current APFS entry? If not, when in May do you anticipate will it be released?

No, the solicitation will not be released Friday 5/2. It will likely be released in late May.

With respect to ECN II, will you require more than 1 past performance reference for a 30K user sharepoint implementation, since that will be difficult to do for most GSA Stars III prime contractors?

This has not yet been determined.

Whitney 71

F2025069780-ICAM-ES III

For Identity, Credential, and Access Management Enterprise Services III (ICAM-ES III) recompete, the acquisition forecast indicates it will come out on GSA MAS for SB set aside. What SIN will the solicitation be released under?

This has not yet been determined.

Brumfiel 64 F2024065926-NEON II Will there be a draft RFP for NEON? It is anticipated if there is time in the schedule.

Is the 5/21 release date accurate This date will be pushed out and updated in APFS.

Is small business subcontracting plan anticipated to be required with NEON?

To be determined. This will be decided during the market research phase of each aquisition.

Whitney 66 F2024068147- Cyber Security Artificial Intelligence Support

(CAIS) 2

Will CAIS2 be competitive on HACS? CAIS is anticipated to be a direct 8(a) Award.

Has a firm been identified for direct award for CAIS 2 already? Yes, a vendor has been identified.

For CAIS 2, what is anticipated time for Draft RFP?

Given this is anticipated to be a direct award a draft RFP is not anticipated.

Whitney 69 F2025069990- Continuous Monitoring & Agile Security Services (CMASS) IV Do you anticipate issuing a draft PWS and/or RFP for CMASS

IV?

USCIS does try to issue draft documents when time allows, but it is not yet determined if/when we will be shaing these.

Whitney 70 F2025070005- Information Assurance Security Services III

(IASS3)

Is the solicitation release date for IASS3 in December of 2025 or is it in fact planned for December of 2026?

Currently the APFS record is correct and it is anticipated in Dec 2026.

Simon 74 F2024066162- Outcome-Based Delivery and DevOps Services

(ODOS) IV

Is USCIS still targeting 5/5 as a realistic release date for ODOS IV or will it likely slide right?

The new estimated issue date for the RFQ is 5/22 (this has been updated in APFS).

ODOS // ANy chance there will be a draft

There is no intention at this time to post a draft RFQ. A draft PWS was posted previously with an ODOS IV specific Industry Day held on November 4, 2024. A draft PWS was posted along with a Q&A and slides.

Information regarding that Industry Day can be found at SAM.Gov:

https://sam.gov/opp/d8ec31d130bf439ca0af6fa6d58e24dd/view

Can you share when you think ODOS IV's RFP will come out?

Its been pushed right a few times now.

The new estimate for release of the RFQ is 5/22. If this changes, APFS will be updated.

Given the delay in releasing ODOS has there been any change in the scope or number of awards?

The number of awards and expected scope has not changed and changes are not anticipated however it is possible that changes could occur.

Will ODOS include past performance, orals, coding challenge, and/or and technical demo phases?

Phases and factors were outlined in the Industry Day slides. Information from that Industry Day can be found at SAM.Gov:

https://sam.gov/opp/d8ec31d130bf439ca0af6fa6d58e24dd/view The RFQ will include specific information.

Will small businesses be required to recertify for ODOS IV? Please see the RFQ when issued.

how many awards antifipated for odos?

Information from the Industry Day can be found at SAM.Gov:

https://sam.gov/opp/d8ec31d130bf439ca0af6fa6d58e24dd/view

For ODOS - what is the minimum value required for past performance? Will immigration domain experience also be a requirement?

Specific evaluation information and criteria will be included in the

RFQ.

For coding challenges (for ODOS or FIRE), will USCIS be requiring the use of AI, ban the use of AI, or leave it to the vendors?

Requirement specific, please refer to the ultimate solicitation(s) when released.

https://sam.gov/opp/d8ec31d130bf439ca0af6fa6d58e24dd/view https://sam.gov/opp/d8ec31d130bf439ca0af6fa6d58e24dd/view https://sam.gov/opp/d8ec31d130bf439ca0af6fa6d58e24dd/view https://sam.gov/opp/d8ec31d130bf439ca0af6fa6d58e24dd/view https://sam.gov/opp/d8ec31d130bf439ca0af6fa6d58e24dd/view https://sam.gov/opp/d8ec31d130bf439ca0af6fa6d58e24dd/view https://sam.gov/opp/d8ec31d130bf439ca0af6fa6d58e24dd/view https://sam.gov/opp/d8ec31d130bf439ca0af6fa6d58e24dd/view https://sam.gov/opp/d8ec31d130bf439ca0af6fa6d58e24dd/view https://sam.gov/opp/d8ec31d130bf439ca0af6fa6d58e24dd/view https://sam.gov/opp/d8ec31d130bf439ca0af6fa6d58e24dd/view https://sam.gov/opp/d8ec31d130bf439ca0af6fa6d58e24dd/view

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