UNHCR posts an RFP as it looks to procure a new biometric identity management system

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has posted a request for proposal (RFP), as it hopes to find a new supplier to implement a biometric identity management system for quick and accurate enrollment and verification of persons of concern across UNHCR operations.

In 2010, the UNHCR announced its policy on biometrics in refugee registration and verification processes. The policy stated that the UNHCR should introduce the collection of biometric data as a regular and routine feature of its registration process.

With this in mind, the UNHCR is looked to procure a biometric system “based on proven technology to enable PoC’s to be enrolled, to have their identity subsequently verified and to gain access to UNHCR services.”

The RFP also indicates that the UNHCR is looked for something which can take into account both tethered and untethered situations, it must offer real-time verification, be interoperable and it needs to be a rugged solution capable of withstanding fast-changing environmental conditions.

The chosen supplier will be invited to enter into a three year agreement with the UNHCR. This project is sponsored by the Division of Programme Support Management.

More information is available from the RFP itself. 

The deadline for interested suppliers to apply is March 11, 2013.

The UNHCR is not new to biometrics. Reported previously in BiometricUpdate.com, the agency is using digital fingerprint to strengthen refugee protection in South Sudan and is conducting the first biometric registration exercise in the country. The nearly 200,000 refugees had been previously registered in standard databases and the agency aims to make this system more efficient with biometric technology.

The UNHCR is in the midst of a similar operation in Senegal. 

Article Topics

biometric database  |  biometrics  |  identity verification  |  verification