National Certificate Automation Redesign (NCAR) Printer Replacement

Request for Information (RFI) / Amendment

This is a Sources Sought Request for Information (SS-RFI), Amendment 0001, for the National Certificate Automation Redesign (NCAR) Printer Replacement FY26-01. The U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) is conducting market research to identify potential sources for replacement printers. This RFI is for information gathering purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or commitment to award a contract.

USCIS requires forensically consistent printers for the NCAR program to produce secure Naturalization Certificates. Key functional specifications include:

• Forensically Secure Printing: Printing must permanently penetrate or bond with security paper, be permanent, withstand chemical/mechanical attempts to alter it, use separate black ink, resist fading, and not damage UV security features. Proposed units must pass USCIS-selected forensic laboratory testing.
• Pigment-Based Ink: Requires pigment-based ink with separate supplies per color.
• Custom Paper Support: Must support USCIS custom-produced, secure paper (approx. 28 Lb bond, green tinged with security background, raised printing, and a raised gold embossed seal).
• Driver Adjustments: Driver must allow for horizontal and vertical adjustments for preprinted information.
• Capacity & Speed: Minimum 500-sheet paper tray capacity, minimum 28 ppm color print speed.
• Duty Cycle: Minimum 3,000 pages/month sustained use, with surges up to 10,000 pages/month.
• Interface: Minimum USB 2.0 interface, with a minimum 3m USB interface cable.
• Supplies: Includes initial supply of ink (1 largest capacity black, cyan, magenta, yellow) and one year of supplies for preventive maintenance/cleaning. Replacement supplies for years 2-5 may be provided automatically. All ink must have a minimum 12-month shelf life.
• Warranty: 5-year next day on-site or advanced exchange warranty.

This RFI outlines potential options for a future procurement vehicle, including:

• Base purchase of 5-10 units for integration and testing.
• Initial deployment of 300 printers to 100+ locations.
• Ongoing purchase options over 4 years for up to 25 additional printers per year.
• Potential provisions for ink purchase through the contract vehicle.

Responses are due by April 21, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET. Interested parties should provide:

• A one-page cover letter with respondent profile information.
• Responses to specific questions regarding capabilities, device details, ink information, and potential modifications.
• Information on devices that could meet higher capacity requirements (70+ PPM, 1000+ page tray).
• Details on alternative technologies for forensic signatures.

Responses should be submitted electronically in PDF format to Amir.Hrnjic@uscis.dhs.gov and Sieanna.R.Seward@uscis.dhs.gov.

USCIS is considering NAICS codes 334118 (Computer Terminal and Other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing) and 541519 (Information Technology Value-Added Resellers). Respondents should indicate their concurrence or propose alternative NAICS codes and provide business size status.

This RFI is for market research only and does not obligate the Government to any future procurement. Responses will not be used to form a binding contract, and no reimbursement will be provided for submitted information. Information gathered may be used for future technical and acquisition purposes.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI (70SBUR26I00000012) is issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) Office of Information Technology (OIT) for market research regarding the National Certificate Automation Redesign (NCAR) Printer Replacement FY26-01. The purpose is to identify sources capable of providing forensically consistent printers for the NCAR program, which produces secure Naturalization Certificates. This is not a solicitation, and no contract will be awarded based on responses.

USCIS requires printers that meet the following functional specifications:

• Forensic Security: Must use a pigment-based ink printing method that permanently penetrates or bonds with security paper, is resistant to fading, does not damage UV security features, and passes testing by a USCIS-selected forensic laboratory. The color must be permanent and withstand attempts to change or remove it.
• Printing Method: Must use separate black ink, not a combination of colors.
• Paper Compatibility: Must support USCIS custom-produced, secure paper (approx. 28 Lb bond, green tinged with security background, includes raised printing and a raised gold embossed seal). Vendor must work with USCIS to identify any required adjustments in printer color management.
• Driver Functionality: Required to provide horizontal and vertical adjustments for small variations in preprinted information.
• Performance: Minimum 500-sheet paper tray capacity, minimum 28 ppm color print speed, and a duty cycle of at least 3,000 pages per month (with surges up to 10,000 pages per month).
• Connectivity: Minimum USB 2.0 Interface, with a minimum 3m USB interface cable (Type A on one end).
• Supplies: Includes initial supply of ink (black, cyan, magenta, yellow), and one year of supplies for preventive maintenance or cleaning. Replacement supplies for years 2-5 are to be provided automatically. All ink must have a minimum shelf life of 12 months.
• Warranty: 5-year next day on-site or advanced exchange warranty.

• Base purchase of 5-10 units for integration and testing.

• Initial deployment of 300 printers to 100+ USCIS locations.

• Ongoing purchase options over 4 years for up to 25 additional printers per year.

• Potential for provisions to purchase required ink through the contract vehicle.

• Responses are due by April 14, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET.

• Interested parties should provide information on equipment that meets or can be modified to meet requirements, including technical literature, market pricing, paper handling, ink details, and modification costs.

• USCIS is also seeking information on higher-capacity devices (70+ PPM, 1000+ page tray) for potential centralized production.

• Responses should be submitted via email to Amir.Hrnjic@uscis.dhs.gov and Sieanna.R.Seward@uscis.dhs.gov in PDF format.

• The Government is considering NAICS codes 334118 (Computer Terminal and Other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing) and 541519 (Information Technology Value-Added Resellers). Respondents should indicate if they concur and provide their business size status relative to these codes.

• Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding.

• Respondents will not be notified of results, but information may be used for future technical and acquisition purposes.

• Proprietary information should not be included unless marked and will be handled accordingly.