Safety Verification Initiative

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the solicitation for services related to Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC).

• Case Volume: The government estimates 100,000 total cases across all IDIQ awards, not per IDIQ. Task orders will be released in batches after awardees close out 90% of their current cases, with each batch anticipated to be 1,000 random cases.
• Site Visits vs. Wellness Checks: A site visit is the physical act of visiting a location. A wellness check is an assessment of the child's overall well-being, which is completed as part of the site visit.
• IT Security: Extensive IT security, CUI handling, and FASCSA requirements are detailed in FAR clauses referenced in the solicitation.
• Key Personnel: The Program Director and Project Manager refer to the same position.
• Quality Plans: The PWS requires a Quality Control Plan (QCP) and a Quality Assurance Plan (QAP). The QASP establishes a 100% compliance threshold for initial contact within 7 calendar days, with tiered incentives for address verification within 7, 14, and 28 days. The QASP has been updated to reflect a 100% completion within 10 days with a 90% acceptable quality level.
• Case Assignment: The government does not intend to establish a hard cap on case assignments but will track progress and release additional batches. The timing of task order solicitations is dependent on various factors, including awarded IDIQs and performance quality.
• Data Access: Contractors will not be granted access to ORR or other federal systems. ICE will provide all necessary case data. Contractors are expected to use available databases, including open source and commercially available resources.
• Site Visit Requirement: In-person site visits are required to confirm a child's location and observe overall wellness. Alternative verification methods may be used supplementally but do not replace the in-person visit.
• Billing for Inaccurate Addresses: If a contractor uses the best available sources to identify an address, and it proves inaccurate upon site visit, this is still considered valid address confirmation and can be billed. Identifying a new address and locating the child is strongly preferred.
• Staffing Qualifications: The government will not prescribe minimum staffing levels or specific qualification standards beyond PWS requirements and applicable laws. Offerors are expected to propose qualified staff and justify their approach.

These responses clarify requirements related to case management, site visits, data access, quality control, and staffing, which will impact bidder proposals and pricing strategies.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation seeks proposals for Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts to provide services related to locating and conducting wellness/safety checks on missing or at-risk children, with a focus on unaccompanied alien children (UAC) and similar foreign-national child populations. The services will be performed on a large geographic or national scale.

• Locating children and confirming their location using databases, field visits, and inter-agency coordination.

• Conducting safety and wellness checks, including identifying household members, observing indicators of abuse, neglect, abandonment, or trafficking, and making timely notifications.

• Providing services or case management to UAC or other foreign-born minors released into communities.

• Coordinating with federal, state, local, or non-profit entities.

• IT Security Awareness Training and Privacy Training are required for contractor employees.

• Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems is mandated.

• Contract Type: Multiple hybrid Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) and cost-reimbursable IDIQ contracts.

• Period of Performance: Two-year base period, with an option to extend services for up to 6 months.

• Minimum Quantity: 1,000 cases.

• Maximum Quantity: 100,000 cases per IDIQ.

• Place of Performance: Any location directed by the Government within the United States.

• Proposals are due by 12:00 PM EDT on March 25, 2026.

• Key submission elements include Offeror Information, Representations/Certifications, Prior Experience (2 pages), Technical Approach (3 pages), Scenario Responses (1 page per scenario), and Price.

• Evaluation Factors (in descending order of importance): Prior Experience, Technical Approach, Scenarios, and Price. Non-price factors are significantly more important than price.

• Award will be made on a Best Value Tradeoff basis.

• NAICS Code: 561611 (Private Investigation Services).

• Small Business Size Standard: $25 million.

• A subcontracting plan is required for offerors not qualifying as small businesses.

• Attachment 01: Performance Work Statement (PWS)

• Attachment 02: Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP)

• Attachment 03: Pricing Worksheet

• All communication should be via email to OAQDCR@ice.dhs.gov. Phone calls will not be accepted.

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

To conduct safety and wellness checks for an estimated 100,000 unaccompanied alien children (UAC) across the U.S. to ensure their safety and well-being, and to verify their location, custody, school enrollment, and observe for signs of abuse, abandonment, neglect, or trafficking.

• Confirm Address: Identify, review, and verify the accuracy of UAC addresses using available databases and records. Document findings and confirm the address is residential.

• Conduct Site Visit: Perform in-person visits to confirmed addresses to verify the child's physical presence. Document outcomes, including if the child was located.

• Observe Overall Wellness: Identify individuals living with the UAC, assess for signs of abuse, abandonment, neglect, or trafficking. Notify ERO immediately if indicators are found. Confirm school enrollment for school-aged children and inform UAC and sponsors of their legal responsibilities.

• Data Collection: Update ICE Systems of Record with detailed information including UAC name, A#, address, location status, safety status, school enrollment, sponsor information, and working status.

• Tasks are considered complete when all required steps are taken and data is entered into ICE's system of record.

• Cases can involve multiple steps and may require repeated visits until location and wellness are confirmed.

• Communications must be in a language the participant understands, using bilingual staff or interpreters.

Not explicitly stated in this section, but implies nationwide coverage across the U.S.

• Applicable Standards: Compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, ADA, Violence Against Women Act of 2013, Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008, and the Flores Settlement Agreement.
• Communications: Must be provided in a language the participant understands.
• Program Management: Requires effective program management, including a management plan, workflow description, and adequate staffing.
• Staffing: Key personnel include a Program Director with specific educational and experience requirements. All staff require DHS background investigations and training.
• Standards of Conduct: Strict adherence to standards of conduct, including treating participants with dignity, avoiding favoritism, maintaining professional boundaries, and reporting violations.
• Security Requirements: Access to sensitive DHS information requires background investigations, preliminary fitness determinations, and adherence to specific security protocols and training, including IT security.
• Deliverables: Include Program Management Plan, Quality Control Plan, Standard Operating Procedures, Updated Organizational Chart, Training Plan, and Transition Out Plan.

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This PWS outlines the requirements for a contractor to conduct safety and wellness checks for an estimated 100,000 unaccompanied alien children (UAC) across the United States. The goal is to confirm each child's location, custody, school enrollment, and overall wellness, including identifying signs of abuse, abandonment, neglect, or trafficking.

• Address Confirmation: Identify and verify the accuracy of UAC addresses using available databases and records, confirming they are residential and not commercial or PO boxes.

• Site Visits: Conduct in-person visits to confirmed addresses to determine if the UAC is physically residing there. Multiple visits may be necessary.

• Wellness Observation: Assess and document any signs of abuse, abandonment, neglect, or trafficking. Immediate notification to ERO POC and COR is required for any such indications.

• School Enrollment: Confirm and document school enrollment and attendance for all school-aged UAC per state requirements.

• Information Dissemination: Inform UAC and sponsors of their legal responsibilities and immigration status obligations.

• Data Updates: Update ICE Systems of Record with collected data, including UAC details, location status, safety indicators, school enrollment, sponsor information, and living arrangements.

• Site visits must be conducted no later than 7 PM local time.

• Notifications of suspected abuse, abandonment, neglect, or trafficking must be made within 24 hours via phone and email.

• Mailing addresses must be provided to ERO within 48 hours of receipt.

• Cases are considered CLOSED when no further steps can be taken and all data is entered into ICE's system.

Not explicitly stated in the PWS, but services are required across the US.

• Staffing: Key personnel include a Program Director with specific educational and experience requirements. The contractor must maintain adequate staffing levels and provide a staffing plan.
• Security: All personnel require a DHS background investigation and must obtain a favorable preliminary Fitness determination before commencing work. Access to sensitive DHS information requires adherence to strict security protocols, including background investigations, NDAs, and potential continuous vetting.
• Training: A comprehensive training plan is required, including initial ICE orientation, mandatory DHS training, and annual refresher training. All staff must be trained prior to starting work.
• Standards of Conduct: Strict standards of conduct are outlined, prohibiting personal relationships with participants, acceptance of gifts, and discussion of case information outside of authorized channels. Violations may lead to dismissal or contract termination.
• Communications: All communications must be in a language the participant understands. Media inquiries must be referred to ICE.
• Reporting: Various reports are required, including daily, weekly, monthly, and annual reports, as well as immediate reporting of serious program issues or employee misconduct.
• Transition: A detailed transition-in plan (max two months) and a transition-out plan (two months prior to contract end) are required.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) that outlines performance requirements and Acceptable Quality Levels (AQLs) for select activities within the contract. It defines the minimum performance standards the contractor must meet to be considered satisfactory.

• Performance Requirements: Specifies the expected level of contractor performance for various tasks.
• Acceptable Quality Levels (AQLs): Defines the maximum allowable percentage of deficiencies for each performance requirement. If performance falls below the AQL, it may be deemed unsatisfactory.
• Performance Measures: Details how performance will be measured for each task.
• Frequency of Surveillance: Indicates how often performance will be monitored.
• Method of Surveillance: Describes the process the government will use to monitor performance.

This QASP is crucial for bidders as it clearly defines the quality standards and metrics against which their performance will be evaluated. Understanding these requirements and AQLs will help bidders assess their capability to meet the contract's quality expectations and structure their approach to ensure compliance. Key areas with defined AQLs include:

• Staff Readiness (95%)
• Deliverables (95%)
• Incident Notification Compliance (100%)
• Case Timeliness (90%)
• Background Investigation Completion (90%)
• Case Accuracy (90%)

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

This document outlines the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) for a contract, detailing performance requirements and acceptable quality levels (AQLs) for various tasks to ensure satisfactory contractor performance.

The QASP establishes performance requirements and AQLs for select activities within the PWS. It defines the minimum acceptable level of performance for contractor tasks and specifies how performance will be measured and monitored.

• Staff Readiness: 100% of required FTEs must be qualified, trained, vetted, and working. The performance measure is the percentage of actual working FTEs compared to required FTEs. The AQL is 95%, with surveillance via weekly staffing reports (first quarter) then monthly.
• Deliverables: 100% of deliverables must be provided within the specified timeframe. The performance measure is the total number provided. The AQL is 95%, with surveillance via weekly email reports (during transition) then annually.
• Incident Notification Compliance: 100% of notifications must be made within 24 hours of discovery. The performance measure is the number of incidents and notifications reported. The AQL is 100%, with surveillance via reports to the COR and random checks.
• Case Timeliness: 100% of cases must have addresses confirmed within 10 calendar days (excluding Federal holidays). The performance measure is the number of cases assigned versus the date initial contact was completed. The AQL is 90%, with surveillance via monthly reports to the COR and random checks.
• Background Investigation Completion: 100% of background investigation packages must be accepted without resubmission. The performance measure is the number submitted versus the number rejected. The AQL is 90%, with surveillance via weekly reports (during transition) then monthly.
• Case Accuracy: 100% of tasks completed must be accurate. The performance measure is the accuracy of completed tasks and entered data. The AQL is 90%, with surveillance via ad hoc random checks by the COR.

Not explicitly detailed in this document, but implied to align with the overall contract.

• All QASP metrics will be reported in CPARS.
• AQLs account for allowable levels of deficiency while maintaining overall service quality.
• Failure to meet or exceed AQLs may result in the government considering performance unsatisfactory.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a pricing worksheet for the opportunity. Bidders are instructed to submit pricing for all highlighted cells. Pricing and percentages must be submitted with two decimal points. Any additional pricing not requested will not be considered.

• CLINs (Contract Line Item Numbers): Includes CLINs for Address Confirmation, Site Visits, Wellness Observation, Travel, and Transition.
• Rate Per Case: Specifies rates for certain CLINs.
• Incentive - Timeliness: Details incentives for completing address verification within 7 or 14 calendar days.
• Total Price: Column for the total price per CLIN.
• Maximum Ceiling Price: Specifies maximum ceiling prices for CLINs 0001 and 1001 ($19,000,000.00) and a general ceiling for Travel (Not to exceed $19,000,000.00).
• Travel: Reimbursable in accordance with FTR, with a specified ceiling.
• Incentive Calculation: Includes fields for incentive percentages and calculations for CLINs 0001 and 1001.

This worksheet is critical for bidders to understand the pricing structure and requirements for the opportunity. It outlines the specific CLINs for which pricing is required, the format for submitting rates and percentages, and the maximum ceiling prices. Bidders must carefully complete this sheet to ensure their proposals are compliant and competitive.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Request for Quote (RFQ) for services related to unaccompanied alien children (UACs) and similar foreign-national child populations. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is procuring these services to locate and conduct wellness/safety checks on missing or at-risk children, and to provide case management and services to UACs released into communities.

• Locating and conducting wellness/safety checks on missing or at-risk children.

• Conducting in-person field work, including home visits and welfare/safety checks.

• Identifying and documenting indicators of abuse, neglect, abandonment, or trafficking.

• Working with unaccompanied alien children or similar foreign-national child populations.

• Delivering services or case management to UACs.

• Coordinating with federal, state, local, or non-profit entities.

• Rapidly scaling up operations to cover additional geographic areas.

• Maintaining quality and compliance with ICE requirements.

• Preparing new staff to perform duties with minimal government intervention.

• Contract Type: Multiple hybrid Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) and cost reimbursable Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts.

• Period of Performance: Two-year base period, with an option to extend services for up to six months.

• Minimum Order: 1,000 cases per IDIQ contract award.

• Maximum Order: 100,000 cases per IDIQ contract award.

• Funding: Obligated at the task order (TO) level.

• Proposal Submission Deadline: March 25, 2026, 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

• Questions Deadline: March 17, 2026, 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

• Evaluation Factors (in descending order of importance): Prior Experience, Technical Approach, Scenarios, and Price. Non-price factors are significantly more important than price.

• Prior Experience: Must demonstrate direct, recent, and relevant experience in locating/conducting wellness checks and working with unaccompanied alien children or similar populations. Experience with multi-jurisdictional operations, significant caseloads, and strict timelines is also considered.

• Technical Approach: Must demonstrate a clear, detailed, and practical understanding of the PWS requirements, including field-based location efforts and safety/wellness checks.

• Scenarios: Vendors must provide written responses to scenario questions, demonstrating understanding of challenges and appropriate approaches.

• Price: Will be evaluated for completeness and reasonableness.

• NAICS Code: 561611

• Small Business Size Standard: $25 million.

• Subcontracting Plan: Required for offerors not qualifying as small businesses.

• Alternate proposals will not be considered.

• Award may be made based on initial offers without discussion.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Request for Quote (RFQ) for an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations, is procuring services related to the identification, location, and wellness checks of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) and similar foreign-national child populations. The contract will be hybrid, combining Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) and Cost Reimbursable elements.

• Locating and conducting wellness/safety checks on missing or at-risk children.

• Conducting in-person field work for welfare/safety checks.

• Identifying and documenting indicators of abuse, neglect, abandonment, or trafficking.

• Working with unaccompanied alien children or similar foreign-national child populations.

• Delivering services or case management to UACs or other foreign-born minors.

• Coordinating with federal, state, local, or non-profit entities.

• Transition services.

• Travel (Cost-Reimbursable).

• Contract Type: Hybrid Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) and Cost Reimbursable IDIQ.

• Period of Performance: Two-year base period, split into two one-year ordering periods. Option to extend services for up to six months (FAR 52.217-8).

• Minimum Order Quantity: 100 cases per IDIQ award.

• Maximum Order Quantity: 100,000 cases per IDIQ award.

• Place of Performance: Within the United States (50 States and District of Columbia).

• Funding: Obligated at the task order (TO) level.

• Proposals must be submitted electronically by 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time on March 25, 2026.

• Evaluation Factors (in descending order of importance): 1) Prior Experience, 2) Technical Approach, 3) Scenarios, 4) Price. Non-price factors are significantly more important than price.

• Prior Experience: Evaluated on recency, relevance, magnitude, geographic scope, and complexity, specifically related to child welfare and unaccompanied alien children.

• Technical Approach: Evaluated on understanding of PWS requirements, including field-based location efforts and safety/wellness checks.

• Scenarios: Evaluated on accurate assessment and reasonable, realistic approach to resolving provided scenarios.

• Price: Evaluated for completeness and reasonableness.

• Award will be made on a best-value tradeoff basis.

• Small business size standard is $25 million.

• Subcontracting Plan required for offerors not qualifying as small businesses.

• Attachment 01: Performance Work Statement (PWS)

• Attachment 02: Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP)

• Attachment 03: Pricing Worksheet

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) that outlines performance requirements and Acceptable Quality Levels (AQLs) for select activities within the Performance Work Statement (PWS) and the contract. It defines the minimum level of performance deemed satisfactory and specifies how contractor performance will be monitored and evaluated.

• Performance Requirements: Specific criteria that must be met for contract tasks.
• Performance Measures: Metrics used to quantify performance against requirements.
• Frequency: How often performance is measured or reported.
• Method of Surveillance: How the government will monitor performance (e.g., reports, site visits, random checks).
• Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) / Critical Threshold: The minimum acceptable performance level, expressed as a percentage of the performance requirement.

This QASP is crucial for bidders as it details the performance standards and quality expectations for the contract. Understanding these requirements, measures, and AQLs will help bidders to:

• Assess their capability to meet the government's quality expectations.
• Develop a compliant and competitive proposal.
• Understand how their performance will be evaluated post-award.
• Identify potential risks and mitigation strategies related to quality and performance.

Specific tasks and their associated requirements, measures, and AQLs include:

• Staff Readiness: 100% of required FTEs qualified, trained, vetted, and working (AQL: 95%).
• Deliverables: 100% of deliverables provided within the specified timeframe (AQL: 95%).
• Incident Notification Compliance: 100% of notifications made within 24 hours of discovery (AQL: 100%).
• Case Timeliness: 100% of cases have initial contact within 7 calendar days of assignment (AQL: 90%).
• Background Investigation Completion: 100% of packages accepted without resubmission (AQL: 90%).

All QASP metrics will be reported in CPARS.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a pricing worksheet (Excel file) that bidders must use to submit pricing information for the opportunity. It outlines specific CLINs (Contract Line Item Numbers) and requires pricing for highlighted cells.

• CLINs: Includes CLINs such as 'Confirm Address', 'Conduct Site Visit', 'Observe Overall Wellness', and 'Travel'.
• Pricing Structure: Requires rates per case, incentive rates for timeliness (7, 14, 28 calendar days), total price, and maximum ceiling prices.
• Travel Costs: Travel costs are reimbursable in accordance with FTR, not to exceed $19,000,000.00.
• Transition: A single monthly rate is required for the two-month transition period.
• Incentives: Specific sections are provided for incentive percentages and calculations related to timeliness.
• Formatting Requirements: All pricing and percentages must be submitted with two decimal points. Only pricing for highlighted cells will be considered.

Bidders must complete and submit this worksheet accurately, adhering to all formatting and submission instructions. The pricing provided in this document will be a critical component of the proposal and will likely be used in the evaluation process. Failure to follow instructions may result in pricing not being considered.

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

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for a contractor to conduct safety and wellness checks for an estimated 100,000 Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) across the United States. The initiative aims to ensure the safety and well-being of a subset of UAC released from federal custody by verifying their location, custody, school enrollment, and overall wellness, including screening for signs of abuse, abandonment, neglect, or trafficking.

• Confirm Location: Identify and review UAC locations using available databases and records.

• Conduct Site Visits: Perform site visits to observe overall wellness, identify cohabitants and their relationship to the minor, and check for signs of abuse, abandonment, neglect, or trafficking. Immediate notification to the designated ERO point of contact (POC) is required if any such signs are indicated.

• School Enrollment: Confirm that all school-aged children are enrolled and attending school per state requirements.

• Inform UAC and Sponsors: Educate UAC and their sponsors on legal responsibilities, immigration court dates, and ERO reporting requirements.

• Provide Mailing Address: Submit mailing addresses to the ERO within 48 hours.

• Update ICE Systems: Update relevant ICE Systems of Record with collected data.

• Data Collection: Collect specific data fields including UAC name, A#, address, location status, safety indicators, school enrollment, contact information, and sponsor details.

• Accurate and consistent data collection is essential.

• Communications must be provided in a language understood by the participant, using bilingual staff or interpretation services.

• Program management, including staffing, workflow, and monthly employee lists, must be provided.

• Regular progress meetings (weekly, quarterly, ad hoc) with the COR are required.

• Quality Assurance: Contractor must define and implement quality control reviews and internal audit procedures. ERO will implement a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP).

• Not explicitly stated in the provided sections, but implies nationwide coverage.

• Staffing: Key personnel include a Program Director with specific educational and experience requirements. All staff require DHS background investigations and may require fingerprinting within 72 hours of eAPP initiation.

• Training: A training plan must be provided within five calendar days of contract award. Staff must be trained prior to starting work. Mandatory ICE training modules include Computer Security Awareness, Privacy, and Records Management.

• Standards of Conduct: Strict adherence to standards of conduct is required, prohibiting favoritism, personal relationships with participants, accepting gifts, business relationships, discussing case information, or providing legal advice. Violations may lead to dismissal.

• Security Requirements: Access to sensitive DHS information requires background investigations, preliminary fitness determinations, and adherence to specific security protocols. This includes compliance with the transition to Trusted Workforce (TW) 2.0.

• Deliverables: Include Program Management Plan, Quality Assurance Plan, Standard Operating Procedures, Updated Organizational Chart, Training Plan, and Transition Out Plan.