DHS calls on industry to share solutions for the biometric exit program

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to share solutions in support for U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Biometric Exit Program.

According to the RFI, CBP intends to add biometrics to confirm when foreign nationals are departing the United States, in order to deter visa overstays, to identify criminals, and to defeat imposters.

“It’s a very helpful RFI,” said Michael Dougherty, CEO of the Secure Identity & Biometrics Association. “In short order it explains the background for Biometric Exit, outlines the experiments that CBP has made using different biometric modalities at the air, land and sea ports, clearly discusses the goals and objectives of the Program, and then encourages vendors to explain how they can help CBP satisfy its challenges while minimizing risk and life cycle costs.”

Dougherty said DHS expects to see a significant response from industry to the RFI, whose deadline for input is July 1, 2016.

“DHS has become very good at substantive outreach to industry, which is important for the Department in understanding what’s technologically possible, and important for vendors who want to understand DHS’ requirements so that they can create solutions that will aid DHS in fulfilling its different missions,” said Dougherty.

In addition, Secure Identity & Biometrics Association (SIBA) has organized an ‘Identity and Biometrics Innovations Forum‘ to be held on June 29.

The Forum is designed to provide a place of dialogue between DHS, its government partners, and industry. It will feature panelists from the Transportation and Security Administration (TSA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to discuss screening innovations to boost accuracy, speed and throughput.

Later, CBP will provide an update on the Biometric Exit program and the future of traveler management.

DHS Office of Biometric and Identity Management (OBIM) and the FBI Biometrics Center of Excellence will discuss advances in the sharing of biometric and biographic data with domestic and international partners.

“We are delighted with the level of interest in the Forum, creating occasions where government and industry can examine problems together is an important objective for SIBA,” said Dougherty.

Article Topics

biometric exit  |  biometrics  |  border security  |  CBP  |  Department of Homeland Security  |  NIST  |  OBIM  |  rfp  |  SIBA  |  TSA