RFI - ICE Visa Security Program Tracking System (VSPTS)

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is for market research and planning purposes to gather information for potential future acquisition of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Support Services for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Visa Security Program Tracking System (VSPTS).

• This is NOT a solicitation. The government is not seeking proposals at this time and will not pay for any costs incurred in responding.

• Information provided is subject to change and not binding.

• Proprietary information must be clearly marked.

• The RFI seeks to refine the acquisition strategy, determine if a set-aside is appropriate, select a contract vehicle, and gather comments on the Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS).

• Response Due Date: May 15, 2025, at 10:00 AM Eastern Time.

• Responses must be submitted via MS Forms. A PDF of the questionnaire is provided for review only; completed PDFs will not be accepted.

• Questions regarding the RFI form functionality or extensions may be sent via email to the Contracting Officer (Pamela.A.Rodgers@ice.dhs.gov) and Contract Specialist (Joseph.D.Thibault@ice.dhs.gov).

Vendors are requested to provide:

• Company Overview (Name, address, contact information, UEI).

• Business size and socio-economic status (Small Business, Woman Owned, Veteran Owned, etc.).

• Recommended NAICS codes and relevant past contract information.

• Identification of GWAC or MAS vehicles suitable for the tasks.

• Level of Effort (LOE) and typical team composition for the draft PWS.

• Feedback on the draft PWS, including clarity for an FFP contract type.

• Recommended evaluation factors based on past experience.

• Identification of any parts of the draft PWS requiring clarification.

• Additional information or questions for the Government's strategy.

• A minimum of one and up to three recent (within 3 years) similar past experiences, detailing:

  • Contract information (Title, #, Awarded Value, Agency, Period, NAICS, Prime/Sub).
  • Scope of work and relation to the draft PWS.
  • Labor categories and skills used.
  • Use of Agile/Scrum methodologies.
  • Management of System Development Lifecycle (SDLC).
  • Technologies used (Java EE, PostgreSQL, JBoss, etc.).
  • Preparation of training materials.
  • Tier 2/3 support and SLA adherence.
  • Performance standards and metrics, with recommendations for improvement.

• Contract Number: 70CTD021FR0000040

• Period of Performance: Currently through 09/25/2026

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Support Services for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Visa Security Program (VSP) and its Information Technology system, the Visa Security Program Tracking System (VSPTS).

The primary goal is to maintain the VSPTS system in an operational and efficient manner, ensuring a high level of support for the user community. This includes:

• Adaptive, perfective, corrective, and preventative maintenance.

• System enhancements and updates to documentation.

• Modifications due to changes in DHS Mission, VSPTS configuration, security, infrastructure, or regulations.

• Support for VSPTS hosting environments in AWS Gov Cloud.

• Agile development methodology for enhancements.

• Software Maintenance (Tiered Support): Support for Tier 2 and Tier 3 helpdesk tickets.

• System Support: Support for interfaces (CBP UPAX, DoS CCD), database support, reporting, system tuning, migration, and administration.

• Configuration Management: Managing O&M changes, supporting SCRs, and preparing for releases.

• Training Support: Maintaining and updating training materials.

• System Security / ISSO Support: Implementing security patches, ensuring compliance with DHS/ICE standards, and supporting ATO renewals.

• Queries and Reporting: Supporting ad-hoc queries and generating various reports.

• External Interfaces and Data Imports/Exports: Supporting interfaces with business partners like DoS and CBP.

• System Enhancements and Maintenance: Utilizing Agile methodology for enhancements and maintenance.

• VSPTS Database Management: Assisting with modifications and enhancements to the database.

• Optional Tasks: ICM Integration, Mantis Workflow Automation, Searchable Attachments Functionality.

• System Lifecycle Management (SLM) and Deliverables: Developing and submitting SLM deliverables.

• Certification and Accreditation (C&A) Documentation: Maintaining C&A artifacts.

• Task Order Management: Including Kick-off Meetings, Roadmap development, Backlog Management, Sprint Planning, and various Status Reports (Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, Annual).

• Transition Planning: Ensuring smooth Transition-In and Transition-Out activities.

• Quality Control Planning: Developing and maintaining an effective Quality Control Program.

• Staffing Plan: Maintaining a plan with resources, tools, and retention approaches.

• Response Time: For Tier 2/3 tickets (standard and emergency).

• Resolution Time: Average resolution time for non-emergency and emergency tickets.

• Uptime Rate: 99% or higher for VSPTS availability.

• Configuration Management: 100% of changes tracked.

• Training Material Delivery: 100% on-time delivery.

• Transition In Activity: 100% completion within 60 calendar days.

• Period of Performance: Base period of 12 months, with four (4) 12-month Option Periods.

• Place of Performance: Primarily at Contractor's facilities, with frequent in-person meetings at Government locations in the Greater Washington Metro Area. Telework is authorized.

• Personnel: Must be proficient in listed technologies (Java EE, PostgreSQL, JBoss/WildFly, Artemis Active MQ, Ansible, Terraform, AI/ML).

• Agile Methodology: Required for operations and maintenance support.

• Security: Compliance with DHS/ICE standards for security, disaster recovery, and accreditation.

• Section 508: ICT deliverables must conform to applicable Section 508 standards.

• Government Furnished Equipment (GFE): Basic equipment will be provided.

• Key Personnel: Specific roles identified (Project Manager/Scrum Master, System Architect II or Higher) require Government acknowledgement for replacement.