The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), seeks to contract for Tier 1 support at its Contact Center, which addresses immigration-related inquiries. The purpose is to centralize client communications and enhance self-service options, responding to approximately 500,000-600,000 monthly inquiries with a focus on bilingual support in English and Spanish. The contract, which will span one year with four optional extensions, emphasizes a multi-channel approach through phone, chat, and secure messaging, ultimately aiming to reduce phone interactions as digital options are improved.
Key operational requirements include robust training programs for agents, compliance with privacy laws and regulations, and the provision of government-furnished equipment. The contractor will monitor performance metrics and implement ongoing process improvements to ensure high service standards and continuous adaptation of services according to user needs. Methodologies to streamline supporting operations, like the use of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), will also be explored. The document outlines the importance of regular evaluations, staff performance monitoring, and the effective management of inquiries to ensure responsive and efficient customer service delivery.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a Sources Sought - Request for Information (SS-RFI) for Tier 1 Support Services to gauge interest from vendors ahead of a new contracting opportunity. This initiative is part of market research in line with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). The USCIS seeks to enhance its Contact Center operations, providing support for inquiries via calls, chats, and webforms with an emphasis on bilingual personnel.
The acquisition is a re-competition of an existing contract and will likely continue to use NAICS 561422. It includes a structured billing system for varying types of interactions and anticipates a fixed-price approach. The document requests that interested vendors submit responses by April 7, 2025, including their capabilities, approach to managing service volume fluctuations, and opinions on contract structure. There is also interest in how new technology can be incorporated during the contract term.
Overall, the purpose of the SS-RFI is to obtain vendor feedback and assess industry capabilities for enhanced service delivery in immigration-related customer support without committing the government to future procurement actions.