text: Future of immigration systems makeover unclear -- GCN
  The Homeland Security Department's agency responsible for processing immigration status changes has apparently set aside its plans for a sweeping systems integration project, according to industry and department sources.
  Citizenship and Immigration Services last year asked vendors for advice on how to build a revamped immigration benefits processing system using outsourced services and data mining.
  CIS put out a request for information stating that it would issue one or more solicitations to focus the agency's IT on its clients' needs.
  According to federal IT market analyst Input Inc. of Reston, Va., CIS originally planned to issue a proposal request for the CIO Office Transformation Initiative this month. The agency had asked vendors to provide information about a 'fully outsourced solution' to meet CIS' systems needs, according to the information request.
  But Input reported in early March that CIS' contracting office had stated the project was on hold. Contracting officers did not immediately respond to requests for information about the project by phone and e-mail.
  A CIS systems official said, 'the project is still needed, but there is no funding for it.'
  Senior CIS officials were not immediately available to comment on the prospects for the IT transformation project.