CID International Mobile Biometrics Collection RFI.pdf

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

FINANCE AND FACILITIES DIVISION | PROCUREMENT SECTION

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) TEMPLATE

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) (04072025)

FBI Criminal Investigative Division International Identity Operations

Attachment AS - Request for Information (RFI) Template

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DISCLAIMER:

THIS NOTICE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST

FOR PROPOSAL OR QUOTE. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND

SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT.

RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER

NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS

ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF

RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY

RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY.

INTRODUCTION

Responses to this RFI may be used to formulate final requirements and/or to identify qualified vendors capable of meeting those requirements. The description below outlines preliminary requirements envisioned for the FBI Criminal Investigative Division (CID) International Identity

Operations Solution.

BACKGROUND

The FBI must respond to evolving transnational criminal and national security threats through biometrics identity collection. The objective of this RFI is to identify hardware and software solutions for capturing mobile biometrics identity information of Transnational Organized Crime

(TOC) actors, Known or Suspected Terrorists (KST), and investigative subjects of interest in tandem with FBI Criminal Investigative Division’s (CID) TOC-Western Hemisphere (TOC-W)

Operations Unit (TWOU) Vetted Team (VT) Program.

FBI CID TWOU administrates international law enforcement teams to investigate transnational crime and terrorism with a nexus to the United States. The VTs extend FBI’s mission to places it does not have jurisdiction to take on the worst criminals in the Western Hemisphere. The FBI needs to empower its VTs with biometrics collection technology to augment the performance of its criminal justice mission. These duties include the detection, apprehension, and prosecution of criminals and their associates. Further, the VTs are positioned to collect biometrics of persons suspected or who have committed acts in violation of United States and partner country laws perpetrated for intimidation of civilian populations or to influence government policy through assassination, kidnapping, and other violent acts which constitute terrorism. This includes narco-terrorism codified under 21 U.S.C. § 960a.

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Collection

The CID VTs need a collection solution to obtain and transmit the following categories of data to the FBI Next Generation Identification (NGI) System:

1. Biometric Data—data derived from one or more intrinsic physical or behavioral traits of humans typically for the purpose of uniquely identifying individuals from within a population. This includes fingerprints, palm prints, iris scans, and facial recognition data.

2. Identity History Data—contextual data that corresponds with an individual’s biometric data consisting of criminal events

3. Biographic Data—descriptor data or characteristic of the individual associated to a unique set of biometrics are identity history data

Data must be compliant with FBI’s Electronic Biometrics Transmission Specification (EBTS).

This is the FBI standard for electronically encoding and transmitting biometric image, identification, and arrest data. Therefore, this request includes the ability to handle any Type of

Transaction (TOT) included within the EBTS.

This request considers Spanish users supporting FBI TOC-W investigations and national security operations. Therefore, a Spanish user interface is required. Further, the conversion of Spanish free text to American Standard Code for Information Interchange text is required text to maintain compliance with the FBI’s EBTS.

Security

Data may be collected in physically secure locations and controlled access areas in the performance of criminal justice duties internationally. Therefore, this RFI requests capabilities to collect and store the categories of data while maintaining FBI system integrity. Measures include patch management, malicious code protection, and spam/spyware protections.

Hardware and software features should be considered to ensure the integrity of the device, software, and collected data to mitigate wireless device risks. This RFI should consider Mobile

Device Management, advanced authentication, and supporting service infrastructure to facilitate implementation of sound security controls for mobile devices and allow for centralized oversight.

Respondents to the RFI must be able to export submission data to the FBI in multiple ways.

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Devices should be certified in compliance with the NGI Image Quality Specifications (IQS). The

EBTS has stringent image quality conditions for facilitating a large-scale one-to-many matching operation. Devices certified to FBI IQS are considered to have additionally met Personal Identity

Verification specifications.

The following are features for the performance of the VT mobile biometrics solution:

▪ The application should have the ability to pre-load watchlists to devices for onboard matching. This capability enables certain categories of authorized, foreign disseminated data to become actionable for the detection of Consolidated Priority Targets, fugitives, and terrorists.

▪ It must utilize the Wavelet Scalar Quantization algorithm for compression of fingerprint images captured at 500 pixels or greater.

▪ The application must have the capability of connecting via Web Services with unique user authentication at the NGI Electronic Fingerprint Conversion (EFCON) level.

▪ The licensing model available for the application may be rolling.

▪ The application must have the ability to modify the collection order of fingerprints. For example, it should have the ability to capture the entire right hand’s plain impressions and individual fingers first. Conversely, it should have the ability to choose the capture of the left hand and individual fingers first. Rolled impressions may follow this sequence.

▪ The application must have the capability to view individual collected fingerprint images and make selectable desired images for reprinting. For example, the ability to view an individual’s collected rolled impression and then select certain impression for reprinting for maintaining high-quality submissions and reducing errors.

▪ The application must have the capability to perform automatic sequence checking functions. This is to ensure that individual fingerprint position designations are consistent with plain impressions.

▪ The application must have the capability to provide indication for sequence checking errors.

▪ The application must have the capability to enforce IQS per TOT.

▪ The application must provide indication for image quality errors. Additionally, the operator must have the ability to re-capture individual fingerprint images if quality was insufficient to meet National Institute of Standards and Technology – NIST Fingerprint

Image Quality threshold requirements.

▪ The application must provide the capability to accommodate amputated and unprintable fingers.

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▪ The application must have the capability to perform dual or single iris capture of right and left irises. It should also provide the capability to accommodate uncapturable (bandaged eyes) irises.

▪ The application must have the capability to capture full, half, and writer’s edge palm prints. It should also provide the capability to accommodate amputated and unprintable hands/palm prints.

▪ The application must provide the user with progress indicators during biometric collection.

▪ The application must have the capability for every EBTS field to be configurable and note preset fields e.g. default Originating Agency Identifier (ORI) or Reason Fingerprinted

(RFP)

▪ The application must have the capability to define or change the fingerprint capture order via configuration settings.

▪ The application must have the capability to make non-mandatory fields such as the

Originating Agency Case Number (OCA) field configurable for separate TOTs.

▪ The application must automatically detect what biometric capture device is connected to either the Android or Windows device and adjust the biometric capture prompts within the application for each device e.g. four-finger vs two-finger.

▪ The application must have the ability to capture name as parts. For instance, First, Middle, Last, and Tribal names must be captured separately in different free text fields.

The application will concatenate the separate entries into the required EBTS Type-2

Name field 2.018.

▪ The application must have the capability to automatically add a geocoordinate

(latitude/longitude and Military Grid Coordinate System) within a transaction when the user indicates it within an optional field. This capability must be configurable.

▪ The application must have the capability to queue the transaction until cellular reception or authorized network connectivity is available; at which time it will automatically send the transaction using guaranteed message delivery over a web server.

▪ The application must have the capability to capture latent print images using the Android mobile device camera. The capture ability must include Focus Peaking and Leveling

Bubble and meet FBI IQS.

▪ The application must support a training mode. Training mode is defined as a non-operational environment where the user can create, submit, and receive responses to a transaction. The training mode shall be an exact “mirror” of the Live mode and include all applicable transactions.

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▪ The application must have the capability for the FBI to be able to control all configuration settings for every user account remotely utilizing configuration files accessed and implemented by the web server.

▪ The application must allow users to pull a log of technical issues and transmit to the FBI for troubleshooting.

▪ The application must have the capability of scanning a credential or passport using an integrated camera to auto populate biographic information within the selected TOT.

▪ The application must have the capability to scan a fingerprint card, customize the format, and transmit as EBTS approved transactions.

▪ The application must have the capability to import/export EBTS files for submission.

▪ The application must have the capability to pre-populate partial submissions and save on device for continued processing.

▪ The application shall be one (1) complete system that includes fingerprint, palmprint and

Iris. The vendor shall not submit separate applications for each biometric.

CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS

This RFI is open to manufacturers of software and platforms related to the categories described in the BACKGROUND and CONTEMPLATED REQUIREMENT Sections and deployable in

United States government cloud environments. The FBI Criminal Justice Information Services

Division prioritizes COTS that reside in a Government Cloud and that adheres to stringent security, compliance, and data protection standards. This RFI is for market research only to request input from potential providers of platforms/software with the stated requirements.

The Government would like to know which firms can provide products and services for this contemplated requirement by identifying themselves and responding to this RFI. The

Government requests the following information:

1. Company name and business size.

2. Provide evidence to show that your company can provide the requested products and/or required resources (i.e. technical ability, personnel, and experience). Information provided shall be succinct and related to the requested information in this RFI. All submissions shall be unclassified. Submissions shall be no longer that 15 pages in length.

3. Address whether your company has a GSA Schedule. If able to provide the services on schedule, provide the schedule and SIN. Please list any additional Government Wide

Acquisition Contracts (GWAC) your company can provide these services on.

4. Address whether your company has any authorized resellers and where the resellers are available.

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4. Provide licensing/subscription models with pricing structure associated with your response, to include estimated cost of these structures for government assessment of budget impacts.

5. Is your product available via test license on a not to exceed timeframe of 120 days for the

Government to assess in a non-operational environment?

6. Any terms and conditions applied to test licenses shall be provided as a separate file, not included as part of the page limitation.

7. Any other assumptions, comments, concerns, and/or questions relating to the contemplated services.

CONTEMPLATED REQUIREMENT

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to:

• Gather industry information on the enclosed requirements.

• Gather pricing and cost information for software, licensing, deployment support and training.

• Request information on any improvements that the FBI should consider when looking to achieve capabilities that meet requirements.

• Request information on potential barriers to obtaining solutions that meet objectives needed to accomplish stated requirements.

Demonstrations may be requested after the completion of this RFI. The Government requests the following information:

1. Company name and business size.

2. Provide evidence to show that your company can provide the requested services and/or products required (i.e. technical ability, personnel, and experience). Information provided shall be succinct and related to the requested information in this RFI. All submissions shall be unclassified.

3. Address whether your company has a GSA Schedule and if they are capable of providing these services on a schedule. If able to provide the services on schedule, provide the schedule and SIN.

4. Address whether your company has any authorized resellers and where the resellers are available.

5. Demonstrate your company’s business base in the United States and disclose whether your solution contains any coding developed outside of the United States.

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6. Any other assumptions, comments, concerns, and/or questions relating to the contemplated services.

DISCLAIMER and RESPONSES

THERE IS NO COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE A

SOLICITATION AS A RESULT OF THIS RFI. THIS IS BEING ISSUED SOLEY FOR

INFORMATIONAL AND PLANNING PURPOSES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A

SOLICTIATION. IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAR 15.201(e), RESPONSES TO THIS

NOTICE ARE NOT OFFERS AND CANNOT BE ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT

TO FORM A BINDING CONTRACT. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL OR

QUOTE. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE

CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY

FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION

TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS

ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS

ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY.

WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN YOUR RESPONSE

1. All interested parties shall submit capability packages in response to this notice.

2. Do submit succinct, thoughtful responses to the requirements/questions listed in this RFI.

3. Do submit comments that address the FBI's requirements, assumptions, conditions or contemplated approaches to this future acquisition.

4. Do submit information and suggestions that may encourage new, different, or innovative approaches that would result in products, solutions, and direct savings to the FBI.

WHAT SHOULD NOT BE INCLUDED IN YOUR RESPONSE

1. Do not submit proposals or offers.

2. Do not submit past performance information or general descriptions of corporate experience.

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3. Do not submit requests to be considered for award or to be notified of a future solicitation.

4. Do not submit requests to be added to a mailing list or distribution list.

5. Do not submit questions or comments not related to this RFI.

6. Do not respond via telephone.

RFI SUBMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS:

Interested companies are requested to submit their responses to the Contracting Office addressing all requirements of this RFI. Submissions shall be provided in Word, Excel or PDF searchable format 8 ½ x 11-page size, no more than 15 pages (includes cover page) in length, single spaced, 12 point font, one-inch margins, Times New Roman Font, demonstrating ability to meet the

FBI’s requirements. Any terms and conditions applied to test licenses shall be provided as a separate file, not included as part of the page limitation.

The documentation must include as part of the response an introductory page outlining the below information.

Contractor Legal/DBA Name:

Address:

Point of Contact:

Telephone:

Email Address:

UEID Number:

Cage Code:

Facility Clearance (if applicable):

Applicable NAICS Codes:

Standard Business Size:

GSA Schedule:

NASA SEWP Contract:

*If the vendor is a small business, an explanation of the vendor’s ability to perform at least 50% of the tasking described in this RFI.

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Additional information augmenting the required business data and response outlining capabilities and answers to all 7 items under Contractor Qualifications shall include:

▪ The type of work the vendor has performed in the past in support of the same or similar requirement to include the type of contract and method of contracting (GSA, GWAC, other contracting vehicle).

▪ The specific technical skills the vendor possesses which ensures capability to meet the objectives and requirements.

The completed package shall be sent via email to hlwilliams2@fbi.gov and tbcutright@fbi.gov.

Submissions must be received no later than 12pm Eastern Time on May 5th 2025. Questions or comments regarding this notice may be addressed to Contracting Specialist (CS) Tyler Cutright via email at tbcutright@fbi.gov and Harriet Williams at hlwilliams2@fbi.gov by April 16th 2025 . All questions received prior to the April 16th 2025 deadline shall receive a response by April 23rd

2025. All correspondence shall take place in writing. No phone calls will be accepted regarding this RFI. Feedback regarding your response will not be provided. The Government reserves the right to engage responding companies with clarification questions or direct follow-up on product capabilities or information to further understand a response. The Government reserves the right to test products, should that be provided as an option in response. This outreach will be at the

Government’s discretion.

This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered as a request for proposal or an obligation on the part of the FBI to acquire and products or services. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the FBI will arise because of contractor submission of responses to this RFI or the FBI’s use of such information. The FBI reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any contractor’s input resulting from this RFI. Responses to this RFI will not be returned. All questions regarding the RFI shall be in writing prior to submission date. The cost of responding to this RFI shall be exclusively borne by the contractor and no costs will be reimbursed by the FBI.

mailto:hlwilliams2@fbi.gov mailto:tbcutright@fbi.gov.

mailto:tbcutright@fbi.gov mailto:hlwilliams2@fbi.gov