State Department's $66M contract for facial recognition systems to enhance visa and passport security

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $66,179,102 ($66.2M)

Contractor: Idemia National Security Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2018-09-25

End Date: 2025-09-29

Contract Duration: 2,561 days

Daily Burn Rate: $25.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: THE FR SYSTEM WITH THE LATEST STATE-OF-THE-ART FR MATCHING CAPABILITY, INTEGRATE THE FR CAPABILITY WITH THE DOS VISA AND PASSPORT ISSUANCE PROCESSES, TRANSITION FROM THE LEGACY FR SYSTEM INTERFACE, AND PROVIDE OPERATIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE NEW FR SYSTEM. PROVIDE TECHNOLOGY REFRESHMENT AND GROWTH UPGRADES ON A PERIODIC BASIS THROUGHOUT THE CONTRACT PERIOD TO ENSURE CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20250

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $66.2 million to IDEMIA NATIONAL SECURITY SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: THE FR SYSTEM WITH THE LATEST STATE-OF-THE-ART FR MATCHING CAPABILITY, INTEGRATE THE FR CAPABILITY WITH THE DOS VISA AND PASSPORT ISSUANCE PROCESSES, TRANSITION FROM THE LEGACY FR SYSTEM INTERFACE, AND PROVIDE OPERATIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE NEW FR SYSTEM. PROVIDE TECHNOLOGY REFRESH… Key points: 1. The contract aims to modernize the State Department's facial recognition capabilities, integrating advanced technology into critical identity verification processes. 2. Focus on transitioning from legacy systems to state-of-the-art matching technology suggests a significant upgrade in security and efficiency. 3. The contract includes provisions for periodic technology refreshment and growth, ensuring the system remains current with evolving threats and capabilities. 4. Operational support for the new system is a key component, indicating a comprehensive approach to implementation and ongoing maintenance. 5. The duration of the contract, spanning over 2500 days, points to a long-term strategic investment in national security infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $66 million over its term appears reasonable for a comprehensive system modernization and ongoing support of critical national security technology. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT modernization projects for federal agencies, particularly those involving biometric data and identity management, suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The inclusion of technology refresh and growth upgrades indicates a forward-looking approach to value, aiming to prevent obsolescence and maintain peak performance throughout the contract's life.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is expected to drive fair pricing and encourage innovative solutions. The specific number of bidders is not detailed, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competition that likely benefited the government in terms of cost and quality.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to better value for taxpayers by ensuring that the government receives the most competitive pricing and the best available technology through a wide vendor pool.

Public Impact

Citizens applying for visas and passports will benefit from enhanced security and potentially more streamlined processing due to improved identity verification. The Department of State will gain a more robust and modern system for identifying individuals, crucial for national security and border control. The contract supports the operational integrity of U.S. entry and exit processes, contributing to national security efforts. The implementation of advanced facial recognition technology could have implications for the workforce within the State Department, requiring new skills for system operation and maintenance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for mission creep if facial recognition capabilities are expanded beyond initial scope without proper oversight.
Concerns regarding data privacy and the security of sensitive biometric information collected and processed.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical technology upgrades and operational support could pose long-term risks.

Positive Signals

Modernization of a critical national security system, enhancing the integrity of identity verification processes.
Inclusion of technology refresh ensures the system remains current and effective against evolving threats.
Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive and potentially cost-effective solution.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on IT services and solutions related to data security, identity management, and biometric technology. The market for facial recognition and identity verification systems is rapidly growing, driven by increasing security demands across government and commercial sectors. Comparable spending benchmarks for large-scale federal IT modernization projects, especially those involving sensitive data and critical infrastructure, often run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, reflecting the complexity and strategic importance of such systems.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb fields) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this specific award. While the prime contractor is IDEMIA NATIONAL SECURITY SOLUTIONS LLC, a large entity, there is no explicit information on small business subcontracting goals or achievements within the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in the supply chain or in providing specialized services related to this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers. Given the sensitive nature of facial recognition technology and its integration into passport and visa processes, robust oversight mechanisms are crucial. Transparency regarding the system's capabilities, data handling policies, and performance metrics would be important for accountability. The contract's duration and scope suggest regular performance reviews and potential audits by internal or external bodies to ensure compliance and effectiveness.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security Biometric Entry/Exit Program
Federal Bureau of Investigation Next Generation Identification System
Transportation Security Administration Credentialing and Access Programs
Intelligence Community Biometric Data Management Initiatives

Risk Flags

Potential for mission creep
Data privacy and security concerns
Dependence on vendor for critical technology
Transition risks during system implementation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $66.2 million to IDEMIA NATIONAL SECURITY SOLUTIONS LLC. THE FR SYSTEM WITH THE LATEST STATE-OF-THE-ART FR MATCHING CAPABILITY, INTEGRATE THE FR CAPABILITY WITH THE DOS VISA AND PASSPORT ISSUANCE PROCESSES, TRANSITION FROM THE LEGACY FR SYSTEM INTERFACE, AND PROVIDE OPERATIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE NEW FR SYSTEM. PROVIDE TECHNOLOGY REFRESHMENT AND GROWTH UPGRADES ON A PERIODIC BASIS THROUGHOUT THE CONTRACT PERIOD TO ENSURE CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is IDEMIA NATIONAL SECURITY SOLUTIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $66.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-09-25. End: 2025-09-29.

What is the specific capability of the 'state-of-the-art FR matching capability' being integrated?

The provided data describes the system's purpose as integrating 'the latest state-of-the-art FR matching capability' with the DOS visa and passport issuance processes. While the exact technical specifications of this capability are not detailed, it implies a significant advancement over legacy systems. This likely includes enhanced accuracy in matching facial images against databases, improved speed of processing, and potentially the ability to handle a wider range of image qualities (e.g., variations in lighting, angle, or expression). Such advanced capabilities are crucial for robust identity verification, preventing fraudulent applications, and enhancing national security by ensuring accurate identification of individuals entering or exiting the country.

How does the 'technology refreshment and growth upgrades' clause ensure long-term value?

The 'technology refreshment and growth upgrades' clause is designed to ensure the facial recognition system remains effective and relevant throughout its lifecycle. In the rapidly evolving field of biometric technology, systems can quickly become outdated. This clause mandates that the contractor periodically provides updates, upgrades, or replacements to ensure the system incorporates the latest advancements. This proactive approach prevents the government from being locked into obsolete technology, reduces the risk of performance degradation, and ensures the system can adapt to new security challenges and operational requirements. It shifts the burden of staying current from the government to the contractor, embedding continuous improvement into the contract's structure and likely influencing the overall cost-effectiveness by avoiding costly, large-scale replacements later.

What are the potential risks associated with transitioning from a legacy FR system to a new one?

Transitioning from a legacy facial recognition (FR) system to a new one, especially one integrated with critical processes like visa and passport issuance, carries several potential risks. Firstly, there's the risk of operational disruption during the transition phase; any glitches or failures could impact the processing of vital documents and traveler movements. Secondly, data migration from the old system to the new one must be seamless and accurate; errors in migrating biometric data could compromise the integrity of the new system. Thirdly, user adoption and training pose a challenge; personnel accustomed to the legacy system may require significant training to effectively operate the new, potentially more complex, state-of-the-art system. Finally, there's the risk of unforeseen technical incompatibilities or performance issues that may not be apparent until the system is fully deployed, potentially leading to delays and cost overruns.

How does this contract contribute to the Department of State's overall mission?

This contract directly supports the Department of State's core mission of protecting U.S. citizens abroad and facilitating legitimate international travel and commerce. By enhancing the facial recognition capabilities used in visa and passport issuance, the Department strengthens its ability to verify identities, detect fraudulent applications, and identify individuals who may pose a security risk. This contributes to national security by ensuring that only individuals who meet eligibility requirements are granted entry into the U.S. or provided with official travel documents. Furthermore, a modern, efficient identity verification system can streamline legitimate travel processes, supporting diplomatic relations and economic engagement.

What is the significance of the contract being 'Firm Fixed Price' (FFP)?

The contract type is 'Firm Fixed Price' (FFP), which means the contractor is obligated to complete the work for a predetermined price, regardless of the actual costs incurred. This contract type offers the government the most price certainty and shifts the majority of the cost risk to the contractor. For a project involving system modernization and ongoing support like this facial recognition system, an FFP contract provides a clear budget ceiling. While it incentivizes the contractor to control costs, it also means that any unforeseen complexities or scope changes that are not properly managed through contract modifications could lead to disputes or impact the contractor's profitability. The government benefits from predictable spending, but must ensure the initial scope is well-defined.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT (INCLD FIRMWARE) SOFTWARE,SUPPLIES& SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 675 N WASHINGTON ST STE 350, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22314

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $74,123,399

Exercised Options: $74,123,399

Current Obligation: $66,179,102

Actual Outlays: $18,176,969

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F597GA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline