ICE Issued Request for AI Strategy Vendors
The agency seeks industry input on multi-cloud AI platforms to support its existing data and agentic software initiatives.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has released a request for information (RFI) to identify technology vendors for its data and AI strategy. This announcement seeks industry feedback on infrastructure including the multi-cloud STELLA platform and an Agentic Software Factory.
Why it matters
The agency is working to modernize its software delivery and operational security by integrating modular AI capabilities. This request helps determine industry readiness to support specialized enterprise systems, including the existing STELLA Chat chatbot.
The agency manages a chatbot portfolio containing 12 distinct AI applications and operates the STELLA platform across Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and Amazon Web Services. This infrastructure supports a recent $125 million, 5-year data analytics contract with Thomson Reuters Special Services.
The players
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
A federal law enforcement agency managing border control and migration, currently expanding its enterprise AI and multi-cloud data infrastructure.
Thomson Reuters Special Services
A provider of specialized data analytics and investigative tools that holds a $125 million, 5-year contract with the agency.
The details
The RFI focuses on developing an Agentic Software Factory—a modular system designed to automate the deployment and maintenance of AI-enabled applications. Vendors are required to operate within a multi-vendor environment that integrates with the agency's existing cloud-agnostic architecture. This modular approach allows the agency to pull services across different cloud providers while maintaining centralized control over data strategy.
Timeline
Sept. 25, 2026: ICE posted the RFI on SAM.gov.
Oct. 16, 2026: Deadline for industry responses to the RFI.
Nov. 10, 2026: Homeland Security Summit in Washington.
The Tech Race
The agency is expanding its infrastructure in alignment with broader federal AI procurement requirements. This initiative follows the standardization mandates set by Executive Order 14110 on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy AI.
This RFI signifies a shift toward modular vendor reliance for federal internal software systems, which will likely influence requirements for contractors in the security space. Industry participants have until October 16 to submit responses regarding their technical capabilities.
The takeaway
This procurement effort marks a transition toward an agentic model of software development for internal agency operations. Interested parties should track the outcomes of the industry responses due October 16 to understand the agency's long-term technology vendor roadmap.
Further reading
For broader trends in federal machine learning implementation, see our coverage of Artificial Intelligence.
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