IOM issues RFI for biometric systems for health assessment programs

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has issued a request for information (RFI) inviting biometrics companies and service providers to submit responses to its plan to introduce biometric identification into its large-scale global health assessment (HA) programs.

The RFI is the first stage in a procurement process based on the IOM’s Biometric Systems for Health Assessments framework. It will be followed by an expression of interest (EoI) phase, in which businesses will be invited to present their qualifications and experience in similar projects, with IOM composing a shortlist of three to seven companies based on the presentations. Those companies on the shortlist will be invited to submit technical and financial proposals.

The IOM lists the Philippines as the mission country for the procurement, but the IOM runs HAs from some 70 clinics in more than 48 countries. HAs are required for immigration processes by certain categories of migrants, who have to provide documentation to destination countries. According to the RFI, the IOM needs to both verify the identity of migrant clients at each step of the process, as well as ensure they are not using multiple identities. The process could take years, and applicants range in age from the very young to the very old, hence the need for biometrics.

The IOM currently plans to use a solution with face and iris biometrics, and many of the clinics have multiple assessment stations, and would need multiple sets of biometric capture devices. The biometric data of clients would be collected in a separate database, which would be linked to the MiMOSA central database, which includes migrant’s biographical information. IOM conducts HAs for approximately 350,000 people a year, with each check taking up to 5 or 6 visits. The IOM proposes to hold biometric data for seven years.

A biometric consultant estimates the IOM needs 1046 facial image cameras for fixed locations and 67 for mobile units, along with 464 iris image cameras for fixed locations, and 67 for mobile units. While most will be used in controlled indoor environments, but the mobile scanners in particular need to be resilient to mobile use in various climate conditions. The chosen solution will likely to piloted in one or a handful of locations before a wider roll-out. The RFI document also includes six questions and further instructions for bidders.

The IOM is also scheduled to trial biometric cards from NEXT Biometrics and Tactilis for three different use cases in Q1 2019.

Article Topics

biometrics  |  facial recognition  |  healthcare  |  identity verification  |  iris recognition  |  RFI  |  United Nations