QA Identity Based Biometric System RFI 5 Feb 2026.pdf

Gov't Responses - FBI Identity‑Based Biometric System RFI

Question Answers

I’m hoping to try and find out if the work outlined in the RFI is currently being performed under any incumbent contracts or task orders, or if this is new work which may be procured if responses to the market research are favorable. If there is an incumbent, is it possible to learn the name of the current vendor and corresponding contract or task order number?

A response to this question is not needed to provide a companies response.

Can you confirm that it is the expectation that the solution of the vendor should run entirely inside FBI‑approved systems (on‑prem or government cloud), and that no data needs to be stored or copied into any vendor system?

Yes, this solution should run entirely inside FBI-approved systems (on-prem/gov cloud). No data should need to be stored or copied into a vendor system outside of an FBI IT environment.

If the vendor is expected to host the environment, will FedRAMP authorization be a requirement?

There is no requirement for the vendor to host the environment but ultimately yes, gov’t accredited IT space will be required.

Is it acceptable to use subcontractors that do not have security clearances, and if so, are there limitations to the services that they can provide?

If there is a need for security clearances from the Prime, all associated Subs must have security clearances also. Generally, only personnel actually working in or with classified information will be required to have security clearances; however, overall system plans and functionality may also become classified thus dissemination may be limited to those with clearances.

With regards to the SCI personnel / facility clearance, does this mean that the supplier must have a top-secret facility/SCIF or just that supplier personnel must be security cleared in order to access the FBI's facilities

If there is a need for facility clearances, the prime must have a facility clearance and the staff working onsite must have the appropriate clearance

What interfaces may be required to connect to the ABIS platform (for example, NGI, DHS/OBIM, DoD ABIS, or state systems)? Please confirm that all connections will be made from inside the FBI environment with no data staged in a vendor system?

There is no requirement for connectivity to ABIS at this time.

Correct, all connections will be made from inside the FBI environment with no data staged in a vendor system.

When selecting a vendor, will the FBI provide sample data (including tough cases like poor‑quality and latent prints) and set clear targets for speed and accuracy so tests can be run inside the FBI environment, and the FBI can evaluate results on a like-for-like basis?

No

Please tell us which data formats and API standards are required. Unknown, but can assume a standard will be promulgated.

Does the FBI have rules for finding duplicate records, deciding when to merge two records, how to undo a merge if needed, and how to keep a complete, tamper‑proof history of every change, or is the expectation that this be proposed by the vendor? The expectation is that this will be proposed by the vendor.

Is it the expectation of the FBI to post all questions and answers received by all vendors, or will responses be direct? All questions and responses will be posted Item 4 under Contractor Qualifications requests licensing/subscription/transaction models “with pricing structure…to include estimated cost…for government assessment of budget impacts,” while the RFI also states that responses are for market research only, are not offers, and are issued pursuant to FAR 15.201(e). May vendors satisfy Item 4 by describing pricing models and key cost drivers without providing numerical pricing, given the market‑research‑only nature of this RFI under FAR 15.201(e)? Yes The RFI states that submissions shall be no more than 15 pages in length (includes cover page). Please clarify whether the Table of Contents is included in the 15‑page limitation, or if it may be provided outside the page count. Table of contents will be included in the page limitation

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The RFI asks whether the company holds a Top‑Secret/SCI facility clearance.

To ensure we provide an accurate response, can the Government please clarify whether this refers to:

A Top‑Secret Facility Clearance (FCL) with the ability to process and safeguard SCI information, or

A distinct SCI‑level facility accreditation separate from the standard TS Facility Clearance?

Our understanding is that a formal ‘SCI facility clearance’ is not a standalone designation, and SCI eligibility is generally granted to cleared personnel and accredited spaces rather than the company’s FCL status. We request confirmation of the Government’s intended meaning.

The goal of this question is to ascertain whether the vendor has space of their own which is accredited to house/store and access TS/SCI data. Saying NO to this question means the vendor would have to leverage TS/SCI space managed by others.

What’s the expected data volume? (Number of identities and records per modality?

Unknown at this time, but feel free to use 600 million for the purposes of this RFI.

What is the acceptable response time and acceptable matching accuracy/error rate?

Vendor should strive to provide best possible solution.

How should low quality samples be handled?

Low quality samples should still be allowed to enroll and link to an identity, even if the biometric scores too low for search.

What external systems or data feeds are anticipated for the API integrations?

Other systems at the same classification level, but it can be assumed that a specific API data exchange format will be established.

Are there specific logging or data retention requirements? 100% traceability of the system.

Will sanitized data be provided for development and testing? No Is the government envisioning a single integrated platform or a modular architecture with connected systems/products?

Government does not want to limit architecture options.

Is the facial modality the primary biometric for this system, and does the government expect to add additional modalities in the future?

Face and Fingerprint (Tenprint & Latent) will be the primary modalities initially. The system should have the capability to retain additional modalities, even if search capabilities aren't currently available.

Are certain modalities higher priority than others? Face and fingerprint Does the government intend to process data at the edge or in more centralized approach? Both?

Government is looking for vendors to identify what is available today.

Is adjudication (human confirmation) always required before results are used?

No

What format of data is received by the ABIS?

N/A RFI does not reference ABIS, nor does the system intend to have ABIS connectivity.

Is all matching expected to be automated, or are there examiner's in the loop?

Government is looking for vendors to identify what is available today. Vendors are also permitted to discuss other options.

was inquiring whether or not the RFI would be an add on to the Ledios contract or if it is seeking a separate solution and looking for fresh vendors the the TS/clandestine RFI that was released on 15 JAN. Reveal's agreement with Ledios would need to be widened if the RFI was going to fall under their purview. Reveal Technology has a current $110m GSA IDIQ and we are the biometrics product of record for all special forces' multimodal biometrics platform. We plan to submit, but need to understand if there are constraints on prime and sub primes requirements.

A response to this question is not needed to provide a companies response.

What are any gaps that need to addressed with the current system? The information the FBI is looking for from vendors is laid in the RFI.

Is there a non-standard reporting format required by the customer? No

Will the system reside in the customer’s environment or is there an expectation for the offeror to host the system in their TS cleared facility?

System should be stored on FBI systems/gov cloud. There is no expectation that the system will be hosted by the vendor.

What is the estimated size of the system in terms of data gallery size, daily throughput, and response time?

Unknown at this time, but feel free to use 600 million for the purposes of this RFI. The vendor should strive to provide the best possible solution.

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Are there any expectations of contracted support outside of installation and training? This is not a question being asked by the FBI in the RFI.

Is there an expectation for us to provide a cross-domain solution? For example, submission on NIPR that will feed the SIPR/TS systems.

There is a requirement/need for FBINET to SCINET cross-domain solution.

3 of 3 dbcarlston@fbi.gov Version Date: 5 Feb 2026