U.S. military offers procurement opportunity to biometric vendors

The U.S. military will be evaluating tactical biometric devices from a myriad of manufacturers this December to test the durability of the most current fingerprint, iris and facial recognition technology.

The testing will be conducted by experts at the U.S. Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg this December.

The objective of the testing will be to determine the operational performance of multiple biometric devices in battlefield conditions and provide feedback to vendors. Under consideration will be face, fingerprint and iris collectability, quality, and matchability.

The testing will allow the U.S. Special Operations Command to develop an acquisition strategy for biometric devices, along with determining technology goals and performance specifications.

The devices most likely will be used to provide forensics and biometrics analyses of recovered improvised explosive devices and their components. Biometric devices can also be used to profile and biometrically match individuals in investigations to thwart terrorist attacks.

Information about how to participate in the tactical biometric testing exercise is available in a “Next Generation Biometric Device Testing Request for Information (H92222-RFI-BIOMETRICS)” that military officials issued Thursday.

Vendors interested in participating should submit their intent by October 15. Upon receipt of intention to participate, vendors will be provided a delivery time and location for their equipment. Devices must be delivered the week of November 5, at which time the vendor will have the option provide up to two hours of training to device operators. This training should include both device function and troubleshooting. At the conclusion of this training, the vendor must demonstrate the data export procedure, with software that they provide.

Companies chosen will have their devices tested at Fort Bragg from December 3 to 8. While the U.S. Special Operations Command would prefer market-available devices, it will accept testing of fully functional prototypes. These prototypes how must be able to produce exportable images of fingerprints, facial photos, and irises that comply with the Electronic Biometric Transmission Specification (EBTS).

Tests will be in two phases that involve technical data collection to measure the quality and accuracy of sensors, and operator evaluations to determine usability and ergonomic factors. Click here to obtain more information about this procurement opportunity.

Article Topics

biometrics  |  facial recognition  |  fingerprint recognition  |  forensics  |  government  |  iris recognition  |  law enforcement  |  military  |  procurement