U.S. Secret Service Technology and Information Support Services (USSS TISS)
USSS TISS is a multiple-award indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle for information technology and related services supporting the U.S. Secret Service's protective and investigative missions.
What Is USSS TISS?
USSS TISS is the U.S. Secret Service's primary IT services IDIQ contract vehicle. It establishes a pre-qualified pool of contractors against which the USSS releases task orders for IT and information support services.
The TISS scope covers application development and maintenance, cybersecurity and information assurance, IT operations and infrastructure support, network and communications engineering, data management and analytics, and program management for IT initiatives. Contractors qualify for specific functional areas within the TISS scope, and task orders are competed only among contractors qualified for the relevant scope.
TISS task orders typically require personnel with active or interim secret clearances, given the sensitive nature of USSS missions. The TISS vehicle has been refreshed multiple times over its history; contractors must monitor USSS procurement announcements for upcoming re-competitions and ceiling expansions.
Key Characteristics
USSS TISS has several defining attributes. It is multiple-award: a pool of pre-qualified contractors competes for task orders.
It is functional-area-organized: contractors qualify for specific scope areas (development, cybersecurity, operations, etc.). It is clearance-sensitive: most task orders require secret or higher clearances.
It is administered by USSS Office of Procurement: task order release, evaluation, and award are USSS-managed. It supports small business participation: specific functional areas may be set aside for small businesses.
It operates through the TISS-specific portal or through SAM.gov task order postings. Each characteristic shapes how contractors build their TISS capability and capture task orders.
How It Works in Government Contracting
USSS TISS operates through the standard multiple-award IDIQ task order cycle. First, the USSS identifies a requirement within the TISS scope and works with the Office of Procurement to develop a task order solicitation.
Second, the USSS releases the task order to all contractors qualified for the relevant functional area, with a defined response period and evaluation criteria. Third, contractors evaluate the opportunity and prepare task order proposals, typically shorter than the original TISS proposal because the underlying IDIQ terms are already in place.
Fourth, the USSS evaluates the proposals and selects the awardee based on the task order evaluation criteria (technical, past performance, price). Fifth, the selected contractor performs the task order under the underlying TISS IDIQ terms plus task-order-specific terms.
Sixth, at task order completion, normal closeout procedures apply, and CPARS evaluations contribute to the contractor's USSS-specific past performance record.
Real-World Example
The U.S. Secret Service identifies a need for application development support to modernize a legacy investigative case management system. The Office of Procurement develops a $12 million, three-year task order solicitation under TISS Functional Area for Application Development.
The solicitation is released to all TISS contractors qualified for that functional area (approximately 25 contractors). Eight contractors submit proposals over a four-week response period.
The USSS evaluation team reviews the proposals and selects the offeror with the strongest technical approach, relevant past performance on case management modernization, and competitive price. The awarded contractor performs the task order, delivering an incremental modernization plan, agile development team, and operational handoff over three years.
The task order completes with positive USSS CPARS, which the contractor cites in subsequent TISS task order competitions and broader law enforcement IT pursuits.
Regulatory Framework
USSS TISS is governed by the underlying IDIQ contract terms (issued by USSS) and by FAR Part 16 (Types of Contracts), particularly FAR 16.5 (Indefinite-Delivery Contracts). Task orders under TISS are governed by FAR 16.505 (Ordering).
The vehicle incorporates standard FAR clauses and Department of Homeland Security Acquisition Regulation (HSAR) supplements, including specific cybersecurity and information assurance requirements. Task orders involving Controlled Unclassified Information are subject to NIST SP 800-171 or USSS-specific information protection requirements.
Bid protests of TISS task orders follow FAR 33.103 and 41 USC 3553, with task order protests under multiple-award IDIQs subject to specific jurisdictional rules. Small business participation goals are administered by USSS in alignment with DHS small business policy.
Why It Matters for Contractors
USSS TISS is the primary contracting pathway for IT services work supporting the U.S. Secret Service. For contractors with law enforcement IT experience, cleared personnel, and relevant past performance, holding a TISS seat enables direct access to USSS task orders that would otherwise be difficult to capture.
TISS engagement interacts with Homeland Security Acquisition Regulation (HSAR, governing DHS-component-specific contracting), with cybersecurity requirements (most USSS work involves CUI handling), with Industrial Security Committee engagement (cleared facility security), and with past performance (USSS-specific CPARs strengthen positioning for future law enforcement IT competitions). Contractors that build durable USSS relationships through TISS often expand into other law enforcement and intelligence IT vehicles.
Common Misconceptions
TISS is only for large defense primes.
No. TISS includes small business set-aside functional areas and supports a range of contractor sizes. Small and mid-sized contractors with relevant capabilities can hold TISS seats and compete for task orders.
Holding a TISS seat guarantees Secret Service work.
No. TISS provides eligibility to compete for task orders. Each task order is competitively awarded; the seat is the entry point, not a guarantee of work.
TISS task orders are all classified.
No. TISS task orders range from unclassified IT support to classified systems work. Most require secret clearances for personnel, but the specific classification level depends on the task order scope.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a contractor get on TISS?
Through the periodic TISS recompetition (typically every 5-10 years), in which interested contractors submit proposals against the master IDIQ requirements. Outside the recompetition window, new contractors cannot generally be added to TISS.
What clearances are typically required for TISS work?
Most TISS task orders require secret clearances for personnel; some require top secret or higher depending on the system or program. Contractor facility clearances are typically required for handling classified work.
Are TISS task orders subject to bid protest?
Task order protests under multiple-award IDIQs are subject to specific jurisdictional rules. Task orders above defined thresholds can be protested at GAO under FAR 33.103 and the IDIQ-specific protest jurisdiction in 10 USC 2304c.
How does TISS compare to other federal IT vehicles?
TISS is USSS-specific, while broader vehicles like GSA Schedule, Alliant, or NITAAC CIO-SP3 cover government-wide IT needs. TISS offers more focused USSS access; the broader vehicles offer wider agency coverage.
Related Government Contracting Topics
IDIQ Contract: Contract structure underlying TISS; allows task order release under a master vehicle.
Homeland Security Acquisition Regulation (HSAR): DHS-specific acquisition regulation governing TISS and other USSS contracts.
NIST SP 800-171: Cybersecurity controls applicable to most TISS task orders handling Controlled Unclassified Information.
Industrial Security Committee: Forum for cleared contractor policy engagement; relevant to TISS-cleared work.
Past Performance: Documented contractor track record; USSS-specific CPARs strengthen TISS task order competitiveness.
How LotusPetal AI Helps
LotusPetal AI's capture and proposal automation platform helps federal contractors manage USSS TISS task order capture, law enforcement IT proposal automation, and cleared contractor compliance with the same discipline as the largest primes. The platform combines compliance automation, AI-assisted proposal drafting, and structured capture workflows so teams capture the right opportunities, write compliant proposals, and protect their win rate.