Achieving Success in ODOS IV: Expert Tips and Insights

Outcome-based Delivery and DevSecOps Services (ODOS) IV will enhance the digital capabilities of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by streamlining operations and improving the effectiveness of case processing, tracking, and adjudication. ODOS IV aims to provide USCIS with advanced DevSecOps and User Experience Design (UXD)/Interaction Design (IxD) services to support the development, delivery, and operations of the Electronic Immigration System (ELIS) and other case management systems.

ODOS IV Bid At-a-Glance

Requirement	ODOS IV Summary
Solicitation Date	January 30, 2025
Solicitation Number	70SBUR24RFI0001
Value ($K)	$410K (estimate)
Competition Type	Small Business Set-Aside
Incumbents	ADG-REI, DV United, Softrams, and Alpha Omega
Type of Award	Task/Delivery Order
Contract Vehicle	GSA Consolidated Multiple Award Schedule
Period of Performance	September 25, 2025 – June 24, 2030
NAICS Code(s)	541512 ($34M annual receipts)
Number of Awards	5 (estimate)
Award Date	September 2025 (estimate)
GovWin ID	236633

Key Objectives

ODOS IV is designed to deliver DevSecOps and UXD/IxD services to support ELIS and global operations. A summary of key ODOS IV objectives follows.

• Streamline Operations: Use digital capabilities to make the processing and adjudication of immigration cases more efficient and effective.
• Provide DevSecOps and UXD/IxD Services: Provide technical and business integration, user experience design, and adaptive maintenance services to support the continuous delivery of features and functionalities.
• Deliver Infrastructure and Integration Services: Ensure continuous software quality reducing release times, improving monitoring and alerting systems, and adopting a shift-left security approach.
• Provide Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD): Implement an industry-standard CI/CD pipeline to automate build processes, testing, code quality checks, and production readiness.
• Deliver Microservices Architecture: Refactor legacy functionalities into microservices on the AWS cloud platform to improve system resilience, performance, and sustainability.
• Collaborate with Industry Leaders: Seek partnerships with industry leaders to provide DevSecOps services efficiently.
• Adhere to Standards: Verify all services and products conform to open-source solutions, platform-agnostic software, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) private or public cloud infrastructure standards.

Key Tasks

The major tasks associated with ODOS IV encompass a broad range of activities to enhance USCIS’s digital infrastructure and operational efficiency. These tasks are divided into two primary categories: 1) DevSecOps and UXD/IxD Services and 2) Infrastructure and Integration Services, as summarized below.

DevSecOps and UXD/IxD Services

1. DevSecOps Services

• Implement CI/CD practices to enable rapid, small-batch deployments.
• Integrate security into the DevSecOps workflow using a shift-left security strategy.
• Maintain and manage application functionalities using microservices architecture on the Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS) platform.
• Innovate and improve code simplicity, user needs, and maintainability.

2. UXD/IxD Services

• Conduct user research and usability assessments to enhance user experience.
• Develop and maintain a cohesive design system to ensure consistency and usability.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to align design solutions with business objectives.

3. Administrative Activities

• Manage all contractor resources and supervise staff in the performance of tasks.
• Ensure compliance with USCIS policies and standards, including Section 508 accessibility requirements

Infrastructure and Integration Services

1. Infrastructure Maintenance

• Maintain and develop the infrastructure platform, including server provisioning and CI/CD pipelines.
• Ensure compliance with security policies and implement a zero-trust framework.
• Provide continuous production support and infrastructure monitoring.

2. Infrastructure Maintenance

• Integrate and maintain legacy applications and new capabilities into a unified platform.
• Develop strategies for data migration and software decommissioning.
• Collaborate with teams to execute integration activities seamlessly.

3. Administrative Activities

• Effectively coordinate with stakeholders and third-party vendors throughout system integration and performance evaluation.
• Manage task order activities and ensure transparent reporting tools.

Additional Tasks

1. Facilitate smooth transition-in and transition-out processes, ensuring continuity of services and minimal disruption.
2. Develop and maintain a Quality Control Plan and Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) to ensure the delivery of high-quality services.
3. Adhere to security guidelines, perform security assessments, and ensure compliance with federal regulations.

These tasks support USCIS’s mission by enhancing its digital systems’ efficiency, security, and user experience using advanced DevSecOps practices and robust infrastructure management.

ODOS IV Challenges and Risks

We encourage offerors to address potential challenges and risks as they transition between the current and new contracts.

• Complex Integration: Integrating multiple systems, such as ELIS, Global, CLAIMS 3, and the Benefits Hub, into a cohesive platform presents substantial challenges. Risks include potential data loss, system incompatibility, and the intricate process of migrating legacy systems to modern architectures.
• Dependence on Cloud Services: The reliance on AWS and other cloud services for infrastructure and deployment introduces risks related to vendor lock-in, potential service outages, and data security. Ensuring compliance with security standards and maintaining data integrity during cloud operations is crucial.
• Security and Compliance: Adhering to stringent security standards, including DHS and USCIS policies, Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) guidelines, and implementing a zero-trust framework, adds complexity. The risk of security breaches and non-compliance with federal regulations can have severe consequences.
• Performance and Quality Assurance: Maintaining high-performance standards and ensuring deliverable quality through continuous integration and automated testing is challenging. Risks include codebase defects and failures to meet performance standards, which can impact the project’s timeliness and quality.
• Cost and Time Management: Effectively managing the budget and timelines poses a potential risk, especially given the project’s complexity and scale. Delays and cost overruns can affect project delivery and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Coordination with Multiple Stakeholders: The requirement for collaboration across multiple teams, including federal employees and other contractors, demands effective communication and coordination. Misalignment in goals or misunderstandings can lead to project delays and inefficiencies.

Overall, while the draft RFP for ODOS IV outlines a robust approach to modernizing USCIS’s digital infrastructure, it also highlights significant challenges that require careful planning and management to mitigate associated risks.

Proposal Submission and Evaluation Criteria

As indicated during Industry Day, both the DevSecOps and UXD/IxD Services component and the Infrastructure and Integration Services component of ODOS IV are being procured using a three-step down-select process, which involves:

• Phase 1: Factor 1 – Corporate Experience Questionnaire and an Advisory Down-Select
• Phase 2: Factor 2 – Technical Competency Oral Interview and an Advisory Down-Select
• Phase 3: Factor 3 – Coding Challenge; Factor 4 – Technical Demonstration (optional); Factor 5 – Past Performance; and Factor 6 – Price

Conclusion

ODOS IV represents a pivotal advancement in enhancing USCIS’s digital capabilities by integrating DevSecOps and UXD/IxD services to streamline operations and improve case processing. The initiative emphasizes advanced technology and collaborative partnerships to bolster system resilience and performance. Despite challenges like complex integration and stringent security requirements, effective project management and stakeholder coordination are critical for success. Ultimately, ODOS IV aims to modernize USCIS’s infrastructure, delivering a more agile and secure immigration system aligned with the agency’s strategic goals.

If you need Lohfeld Consulting’s assistance in developing your ODOS IV proposal, click here.

Relevant Information

• Secure Your Future in 2025 with These Mega Bids

• How to Win a CenTAM Contract: Rise to the Challenge

• VIDEO: Get Ready for the AI Revolution – AI-Assisted Capture Management

By Brenda Crist, Vice President at Lohfeld Consulting Group, MPA, CPP APMP Fellow

Lohfeld Consulting Group has proven results specializing in helping companies create winning captures and proposals. As the premier capture and proposal services consulting firm focused exclusively on government markets, we provide expert assistance to government contractors in Capture Planning and Strategy, Proposal Management and Writing, Capture and Proposal Process and Infrastructure, and Training. In the last 3 years, we’ve supported over 550 proposals winning more than $170B for our clients—including the Top 10 government contractors. Lohfeld Consulting Group is your “go-to” capture and proposal source! Start winning by contacting us at www.lohfeldconsulting.com and join us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube^(TM).