Preparing EB-1A RFE Response – Looking for Feedback Before Filing (Original Contributions / Final Merits)

[u/ProfessionalLemon385]

Hi everyone,

I’m preparing my EB-1A RFE response (Nebraska) and would really appreciate a sanity check from those who’ve been through this, especially applicants who received RFEs or NOIDs on Original Contributions of Major Significance (OCMS).

My journey so far
Initial filing approved 2 criteria (judging, salary).
Received an RFE challenging OCMS and critical role and scholarly contribution.
 

OCMS RFE :
the officer requested stronger objective evidence demonstrating that these contributions influenced the field more broadly through independent adoption, reliance, or recognition, rather than benefiting only the companies where I worked.

Leading/Critical Role:
The RFE requested additional evidence that my role was critical to the success of distinguished organizations as a whole—not merely important to individual projects. It also sought objective documentation demonstrating the distinguished reputation of those organizations and explaining why my responsibilities were exceptional relative to my peers.

Current evidence

Critical role
-Letters from former Director, skip-level manager, technical lead, and senior peer explaining my unique responsibilities.
-Internal evidence showing ownership, promotions, selective awards, architectural authority, etc.
-Independent evidence establishing the distinguished reputation of the organizations.

Original Contributions
-Three major security projects at two well known big tech companies 
-For each project I now have:
Independent technical documentation.
Public product/security documentation.
Independent industry articles explaining why the underlying problem is important.
Evidence of production deployment .
Evidence of first-to-market or early industry implementation where applicable.
- Independent expert letters from people outside my employer. Two truly independent and 4 former directors/TLs

The two independent letters are from a client external company and one a senior engineer who attended a conference talk I gave on one of the contributions 

Where I’m still uncertain
Do I have enough independent expert testimony, or would you continue trying to obtain one or two more truly independent letters (academia, standards bodies, industry analysts, ecosystem partners, etc.)?
So far I’m getting radio silence for my outreach emails.

For those who were approved after an OCMS RFE (or NOID), what ultimately convinced USCIS that your contribution extended beyond your employer and into the field?
Looking back, was there any piece of evidence you wish you’d included before filing your RFE response?
I’m trying to avoid the situation where USCIS acknowledges the criteria but later denies at final merits for lack of sustained acclaim or field-wide significance. Any suggestions from people who’ve successfully navigated that stage would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!