- USCIS has disclosed plans for a potential $100 million biometrics and identity IT support contract
- The requirement will be competed as a full small business set-aside through the GSA Schedule
- The 2026 Homeland Security Summit will examine AI, cyber and modernization priorities
The Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has unveiled plans for a potential contract worth more than $100 million to provide IT support as part of its Immigration Biometrics and Identity Services, or IBIS, program.
As USCIS advances plans for a biometrics and identity support contract, government and industry leaders will continue discussing the technologies shaping homeland security missions. The Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Homeland Security Summit on Nov. 12 will bring together decision-makers to explore AI, cyber, emerging threats, digital transformation priorities and opportunities for public-private collaboration. Sign up now!
In a notice published Friday on the DHS Acquisition Planning Forecast System, USCIS said it expects to release a solicitation on Oct. 22 and award the contract during the third quarter of fiscal year 2027.
What Is the Scope of the Proposed Contract?
According to the forecast notice, the combined IBIS project will provide scalable and secure IT services supporting data analytics, machine learning, biometrics and identity management, and entity resolution capabilities for the U.S. immigration system.
USCIS said the effort will support cloud-based applications and include software development, operations, security and technical support. The agency also expects contractors to perform DevSecOps, automation, continuous integration and delivery, incident response and documentation functions.
According to the agency, the project intends to support both internal and public-facing applications used to manage identity and biometrics systems.
What Does USCIS Have Planned for Biometric Collection?
In November, USCIS proposed a rule to expand its biometric collection to individuals applying for immigration benefits and related processes. USCIS plans to acquire the requirement through the General Services Administration Schedule contract vehicle.
The agency intends to conduct the procurement as a competitive full small business set-aside under NAICS code 541512 for computer systems design services.
According to the notice, contract performance is expected to continue through June 30, 2032, with work performed in Washington, D.C.
How Will USCIS Acquire Biometric Services?
USCIS uses small business set-asides under NAICS code 541512, a.k.a. Computer Systems Design Services, for biometrics for a variety of efforts. These include meeting federal contracting goals, fostering specialized technical innovation and supporting major expansions in immigration security and identity management systems.
Federal law requires agencies to award a portion of their total prime contracting dollars to small and disadvantaged businesses. Setting aside IT integration tasks helps USCIS hit these legal targets.
How Does USCIS Use Biometric Technology?
USCIS uses biometrics to confirm applicant identity and perform mandatory security checks. Immigrant applicants, for example, might attend local Application Support Centers to provide digital fingerprints, photographs and signatures. USCIS may also reuse previously verified fingerprints to speed up processing and recently expanded its criminal background screening systems.
Who Are USCIS Biometric Contractors?
USCIS partners with leading global biometric firms and IT integrators to collect and verify applicant data at over 130 ASCs nationwide. The most significant companies working with USCIS include:
IDEMIA
- Idemia is a global identity and security giant. IDEMIA provides the Livescan fingerprint and facial recognition systems used in all USCIS ASCs. They also supply check-in kiosks and document authenticators.
Amentum
- Amentum is a large government contractor that holds massive multi-million dollar integration contracts. Amentum manages operations at USCIS ASCs, automating biometric data collection and improving appointment processing efficiency.
NEC
- NEC, a Japanese technology corporation, is a major global leader in large-scale biometric matching systems. It provides underlying facial and fingerprint recognition technology for DHS and other federal agencies.
This article was updated on Aug. 12, 2026 with new information by a member of Executive Mosaic’s editorial team.
