National Certificate Automation Redesign (NCAR) Printer Replacement
Contact and place of performance
Amir Hrnjic
Camp Springs, MD 20588
USA
A0001 - Thank you to all vendors who have responded to the initial RFI that was posted on March 27, 2026 with response due date of April 14, 2026. The purpose of RFI amendment #0001 is to extend the response due date to April 21, 2026, to give additional time to interested vendors to prepare their response. This notice is issued solely for the purpose of conducting market research in accordance with Federal Acquisiti...
View moreBackground & Scope:
USCIS OIT has a requirement for replacement printers to use under the National Certificate Automation Redesign (NCAR) program for production of Naturalization Certificates. NCAR documents are secure and include a number of physical security attributes. One of those is that all NCAR printers must have identical physical characteristics in terms of the printing method. This printing method and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) pigmented ink create a forensic document signature that is recorded with the Custom Border Patrol (CBP) Forensic labs. This information is used for validating documents suspected of being fraudulent. It is possible that different printers in the same family will be able to meet this requirement, but it is not possible to use printers from multiple manufacturers or even normally from different printer families from the same manufacturer.
The objective of the NCAR Printer Replacement is to provide replacements for all existing NCAR printers and mechanism to provide additional printers as requirements increase. The NCAR printers are replaced every 5 years due to age and increased maintenance issues. This will be the 4th replacement of the NCAR printers. The intent is to create a procurement vehicle that will include a number of options:
The primary purpose of this SS-RFI is to identify sources that currently have capabilities that can meet the technical requirements to deliver equipment with the following functional specifications:
Information is requested detailing your company’s capabilities and experience delivering equipment that may meet these requirements and potential adjustments that may be made to the requirements.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued this sources sought notice to identify potential providers for the National Certificate Automation Redesign (NCAR) Printer Replacement program. The primary objective is to replace the existing fleet of printers used to produce naturalization certificates, which are secure documents requiring specific physical security attributes. Because these documents must maintain a consistent forensic signature recorded with Customs and Border Protection labs, all printers must utilize an identical printing method and original equipment manufacturer pigmented ink. The proposed procurement includes an initial purchase of 5 to 10 units for lab integration, a deployment of 300 printers to over 100 locations, and options for up to 25 additional printers annually over a four-year period.
The required equipment must meet specialized functional specifications, including a pigment-based ink method that permanently bonds with 28-pound bond security paper without obscuring UV features. Printers must support a minimum color print speed of 28 pages per minute, a 500-sheet tray capacity, and a duty cycle capable of handling up to 10,000 pages per month. Technical requirements also include a USB 2.0 interface, forensic consistency across all units, and the ability to pass testing by a USCIS-selected forensic laboratory. The government intends for the procurement to cover a five-year lifecycle, including a one-year initial supply of ink, replacement supplies for subsequent years, and a five-year next-day onsite or advanced exchange warranty.
This market research is conducted under solicitation number 70SBUR26I00000012. The opportunity is classified under NAICS 334118 for Computer Terminal and Other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing and PSC 7E20 for IT and Telecom - End User: Help Desk; Tier 1-2, Workspace, Print, Output, Productivity Tools (HW/Perp SW). Responses are due by April 21, 2026, and the primary place of performance is Camp Springs, Maryland. Amir Hrnjic is the designated point of contact, and three attachments related to the Request for Information have been issued as of April 15, 2026.
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