USCIS - Independent Information Provider (IIP)

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requests industry input on the Agency's need for access through a web-service interface to a contractor's system that provides real-time data whereby the contractor would provide financial viability information on companies petitioning to employ alien beneficiaries, and companies registering in the E-Verify program, used for verifying the employment eligibility of newly hired employees. This acquisition requires real-time data being provided referred to as information provisioning and an Application Programming Interface (API) utilized via the web to transmit data and queries. USCIS would like to verify and validate the existence, location, financial viability, and current level of business operations of a company through a contract vehicle with an Independent Information Provider (IIP) to support the Validation Instrument for Business Enterprises (VIBE) initiative and the E-Verify program. It is anticipated that the forthcoming acquisition would require the service of a contractor in the following areas as well as the areas in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) attached to this posting: - Must be able to be interfaced with existing USCIS systems - Algorithm refinement that will be used to reduce copious information into a simplified report for Immigration Service Officers to determine the financial viability of petitioning companies - Integration Support for the initial connection and integration of the contractor's web-service to the USCIS Enterprise Service Bus (ESB), whereby USCIS can automatically transmit queries - Access through a web-service interface, to the IIP's system, whereby USCIS can automatically transmit queries - Training to USCIS on the content of the information being provided by the IIP - The IIP shall provide an unlimited amount of monthly inquiries to access company records via on-demand live data using the web-service. - Research Services to provide research support to gather information on a company if the IIP does not have information on a company, does not have sufficient information on a company, or the information provided conflicts with information provided by the company. This includes (1) Data investigation support for instances where no data resides in the database; (2) Data accuracy support for instances of insufficient data in the database; and (3) Data analysis - Provide a solution that injects valuable real-time business information directly into USCIS' Microsoft Dynamics Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Platform to enhance the E-Verify program - Subscription to an IIP website on a 24/7 basis for pre-formatted reports on companies - Provide project management support for planning and completion of all IIP activities During prior market research it was determined that licensing terms may restrict customers from retaining information in any media once the contract has expired, and from providing information to third parties, such as other Federal Government agencies, without prior written consent of the contractor. The Government requires licensing terms that allow the information provided to be retained in adjudicator files in perpetuity. Further, this information may be viewed and used by other Government agencies for legal proceedings, such as court hearings or similar administrative hearing activities related to granting or denying immigration benefits. It has also been determined through market research that industry does not provide warranty terms regarding the accuracy of information provided. The Government may potentially use the information in a court of law, as such, it must be supportable. Responses to this RFI should address the following: 1) Ability and willingness to develop warranty terms. If already available, describe the warranties you provide. If warranties are somehow implicit, what level of accuracy is considered typical or acceptable? 2) Ability and willingness to provide exceptions to standard licensing terms and conditions relating specifically to how the data provided can be used, stored, and maintained during and after the end of the contract. 3) What would be the price impact of modifying standard licensing and warranty terms? Please describe the impact by showing it in relation to the pricing of standard licensing terms. 4) Describe if your system has the capability to be accessed through a Web-Service. If yes, can you please provide the Web-Service Definition Language (WSDL) or link to the WSDL through which you provide an interface? 5) How does your organization structure pricing if this information is accessed through a web-service? 6) Describe your ability regarding data investigation support. 7) Describe your ability to train users in the proper interpretation of the information provided. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY: THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION; This Request for Information (RFI) is for informational purposes only; this is not a Request for Proposal (RFP). The Government will not pay for information and materials received in response to this RFI and is in no way obligated by the information received. This RFI in no way obligates the Government to place an order. The data received in response to this RFI is for informational purposes only and does not mandate or impose requirements. It is desirable that data be received with unlimited rights to the Government. However, it is recognized that proprietary data may be included with the information provided. If so, clearly mark all proprietary information. No solicitation document exists and a formal solicitation may or may not be issued by the Government as a result of the responses to this RFI. All responses to this RFI shall be submitted by February 14th, 2017. Responses must be submitted to: contact@example.gov