Sources Sought - FBIB - Census - Updated.pdf

1 Notice Information:

Type of Notice: Sources Sought Notice (SSN)

Agency/Office: United States Census Bureau (USCB)/Decennial Contracts Execution Office

(DCEO)

Title: 2028 Dress Rehearsal and 2030 Decennial Census Fingerprinting, Background Investigation and Badging (FBIB) Services

Contracting Office Address:

United States (US) Census Bureau - Acquisitions Division 4600 Silver Hill Road Suitland, MD 20746

NAICS Classifications: The proposed primary North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to this notice is:

561611 - Investigation and Personal Background Check Services

However, the USCB has identified additional NAICS codes that may more accurately align with the scope of services outlined in this RFI. We kindly request your input on whether any of the following codes should be considered as the primary classification:

561621 - Security Systems Services.

561499 - All Other Business Support Services 541511 - Custom Computer Programming Services 541990 - All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

2 Purpose The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to identify sources and gather industry feedback from businesses with proven capabilities in fingerprinting, facial photography, background investigation review, and identity credential issuance and badge management services.

Specifically, the USCB seeks input from contractors with a demonstrated track record of delivering large-scale, integrated solutions comparable in size, scope, and complexity to the 2020 Census fingerprinting, badging (non-HSPD-12), and background investigation review operations as described within this notice.

Responses to this SSN will be used only to gather information about the topics covered and do not constitute as offers or quotes and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. The Government will not reimburse any costs associated with the preparation of responses to this SSN. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Quotation (RFQ).

Any proposals, offers, or anything other than the specific or general information requested will not be considered. This notice does not constitute a commitment of any kind by any entity of the United States (U.S.) Government.

All the information received in response to this SSN will be considered as Proprietary and will be handled accordingly. Responses will not be returned.

3 Background The Decennial Census is our country’s oldest, most comprehensive source of information about our population. Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution mandates that an apportionment of representatives among the states must be carried out every 10 years. The primary goal of the Decennial Census is to count everyone once, only once, and in the right place.

The U.S. Government uses the data generated by the census to apportion congressional seats, monitor compliance with civil rights and other legislation, and forecast the number of people eligible for Government benefits. Tribal, state, and local Governments use census figures to distribute funds for education and other social programs, determine congressional, state legislative, and voting district boundaries, and predict disaster relief needs. Island Area Governments use Census data to access federal funding opportunities, to better understand the characteristics of a changing population, such as age and household composition, and to understand and address emerging needs, such as access to employment, health insurance, and internet access. In addition, Decennial Census data for the Island Areas of the Pacific and the U.S. Virgin Islands are the sole data source for federal agencies. Business relies on the data for product development, marketing, demand forecasting, and determination of optimum location sites.

The Decennial Census is also the largest civilian mobilization in the nation and requires cooperation from the entire population. Success requires counting an increasingly diverse population, living in complex living situations, with growing concerns about privacy and Government credibility. The Decennial Census faces other challenges including, but not limited to funding shortfalls, leadership changes, disruptions caused by natural disasters and pandemics, and a need to employ hundreds of thousands of federal temporary workers for a short period of time as enumerators. The Decennial Census utilizes technology to hire, manage, and schedule the field operations of this workforce.

3.1 2030 Census Lifecycle The 2030 Census Program is being conducted in four phases, beginning with Early Planning (FY19-FY21), followed by Design Selection (FY22-FY24), Development and Integration (FY25-FY29), and Peak Production and Close-Out (FY29-FY33). Operational design development begins in the Design Selection Phase and is critical to the successful execution of a high-quality census of population and housing. In turn, successful execution is dependent on an evidence-based, integrated operational design that addresses the changing environment and inherent logistical challenges of such a large and complex undertaking. The following graphic shows the four phases of the 2030 Census lifecycle, and the type of work and key milestones associated with each phase. Future Census cycles will have their own lifecycles and may or may not include solutions used for the 2030 Census.

Figure 1: 2030 Census Lifecycle Timeline

As part of the 2028 Dress Rehearsal and 2030 Census, the FBIB solution will serve as a critical operational capability. The FBIB solution is responsible for capturing and transmitting fingerprints and facial photographs to the Census Hiring and Employment Check (CHEC) system and the Identity Management System (IDMS), and may be required to issue, manage, decommission, and print non-HSPD-12 physical and digital badges.

Additionally, the FBIB solution will support background investigation review processes by ensuring the accuracy and integrity of biometric data and enabling timely, secure, and comprehensive suitability determinations through integration with CHEC and the Decennial Administrative Recruiting, Hiring, and Training System (DHARTS).

3.2 2020 Fingerprint, Background Investigation and Badging Initiative

Overview During the 2020 Census, the fingerprinting and photo capture operations under the FP&B initiative were conducted from December 17, 2017, through December 17, 2021. These operations were deployed in all continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Island areas (e.g., American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands).

2020 Fingerprint and Facial Photography Collection Size and Scope

To support large-scale hiring and onboarding activities, the Decennial Fingerprint Vendor for the 2020 Census established 1,557 fingerprint collection sites nationwide. These locations were strategically selected to ensure broad accessibility and to accommodate the processing of over 450,000 selectees per month at peak. The collection network enabled timely fingerprinting and facial photography services across diverse geographies.

The following table outlines the types of fingerprint collection sites established during the 2020 Census and their corresponding operational characteristics:

Table 1: 2020 Decennial Fingerprint Collection Locations

Site Type # of Sites Location Provided By Staffed By Description

Fixed 333 Vendor Provided Vendor Staffed Sites, primarily in hotels, operating 4–

8 hours per day, 6 days a week.

National Air Transportation Association Compliance Services

(NATACS)

Vendor Provided Vendor Staffed

Private agencies certified to collect fingerprints

Retail 468 Vendor Provided Vendor Staffed Retail-based locations, typically open

12 hours per day, 6 days a week.

Pop-Up 330 Vendor Provided Vendor Staffed Short-term sites (1-14 days) set up in libraries, hotels, and community centers.

Island Areas 5 Census Provided Vendor &

Census Staffed Located in local Census Offices in the Island Areas; staffed by both vendor and Census personnel.

Area Census Office

Census Provided Census Staffed Area Census Offices using leased fingerprinting equipment.

Replacement 22 Vendor Provided Census Staffed Temporary sites used when primary locations were unavailable due to weather or civil events.

Total number of 2020 Fingerprint Collection Locations: 1,557

During the 2020 Decennial Census, fingerprinting operations were conducted for 859,735 selectees nationwide. To accommodate this scale, the Census Bureau and its fingerprint vendor deployed a network of over 1,500 locations with the capacity to process over 450,000 selectees per month.

The peak collection month was March 2020, during which 199,132 fingerprints were processed.

The single highest volume day saw 22,978 fingerprints collected.

Over the 10-day peak period, a total of 171,212 fingerprints were captured and transmitted.

The following figure below provides historical fingerprint collection figures:

Figure 2: 2020 Decennial Fingerprints Collected Chart**

*Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person fingerprint collection by vendors was suspended on March 19, 2020, and resumed on May 4, 2020

Figure 3: 2020 Decennial Fingerprints Collected – Peak 10 Days Chart**

*Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person fingerprint collection by vendors was suspended on March 19, 2020, and resumed on May 4, 2020

2020 Badging Size and Scope As part of its photo identification badge issuance operations, the Fingerprinting & Badging (FP&B) program played a vital role in credentialing temporary Census personnel, enabling secure and verifiable field operations. In 2020, the Census Bureau successfully printed and distributed 842,199 badges across approximately 250 Area Census Offices (ACOs) nationwide.

These badges were instrumental in verifying worker identities, providing access to restricted areas, and establishing trust and legitimacy with the public during field engagements.

To address the operational demand of processing over 450,000 selectees per month, the badging solution featured:

Automated workflows to minimize manual errors and expedite processing High-speed badge printing capabilities Real-time data validation to ensure accuracy and prevent rework Streamlined distribution logistics including batch processing and just-in-time fulfillment strategies

A centralized processing hub coordinated badge production and distribution across regional centers. This approach ensured consistent throughput, maintained service levels, and allowed for load balancing across multiple sites.

At its operational peak in August 2020, the badging system efficiently produced and distributed 232,793 badges. This was made possible through optimized scheduling, redundant printing capacity, and a robust tracking system that monitored real-time issuance and delivery progress.

The following figure illustrates the volume of badges printed and distributed by location:

Figure 4: 2020 Decennial Badges Printed

2020 Background Investigation Reviews Conducted As part of the 2020 Decennial operation, background investigations were conducted for 1,435,653 applicants to ensure compliance with federal hiring and security policies. These investigations were essential for verifying applicant identities, assessing suitability for employment, and mitigating security risks. The review process involved comprehensive checks and assessments to ensure the integrity of the workforce.

The peak period of background investigations occurred in March 2020, reflecting a surge in applicant processing demands. The key figures from the operation are as follows:

Total decennial cases needing review: 135,563, requiring additional verification before clearance.

Total decennial cases for peak month (March 2020): 502,957, the highest volume recorded.

Total decennial cases for peak month needing review: 30,282, necessitating further scrutiny due to discrepancies or additional verification requirements.

The following figure outlines the Background Investigation Case Review numbers:

Figure 5: 2020 Decennial Background Investigation Case Review

*Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person fingerprint collection by vendors was suspended on March 19, 2020, and resumed on May 4, 2020

4 2030 Scope of Required Services The USCB intends to obtain contractor services to implement and operate a comprehensive FBIB solution in support of the 2028 Dress Rehearsal and the 2030 Census. The contractor will be responsible for delivering all required services to support nationwide coverage and full integration with the USCB’s onboarding, credentialing, and personnel security processes. The projected scope includes the fingerprinting of approximately one million selectees across both operations. To enable the onboarding of temporary personnel, the contractor shall be capable of providing the following services:

4.1 Fingerprint & Facial Photography Enrollment Services

Core Services

Provide nationwide fingerprinting services across the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas (American Samoa, CNMI, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands).

Deliver fingerprint and facial photograph enrollment via:

o Fixed-site locations o Mobile enrollment units o Supervised remote capture platforms for underserved or hard-to-reach areas

Operations & Technology Capture and transmit two fingerprint sets and a facial photograph per selectee, in accordance with EBTS, FBI, and OPM standards Operate a secure 24/7 appointment scheduling platform with real-time queue management, appointment reminders, CRM integration, and phone-based support

Ensure 75% of selectees are within 25 miles, and 95% within 50 miles of a fingerprint collection site

Support both ink-based and electronic fingerprint capture (including digital conversion when required)

Infrastructure & Security Requirements Deploy a FedRAMP (Moderate or Higher) authorized, cloud-based solution compliant with FISMA, NIST SP 800-53, and CJIS standards Obtain and maintain a valid Authority to Operate (ATO) issued by USCB Maintain the physical infrastructure (e.g., facilities, equipment, and connectivity) necessary to support continuous biometric operations Ensure secure, encrypted transmission of biometric and identity data to the following

USCB systems:

o Decennial Administrative Recruiting, Hiring, and Training System (DARHTS) o Identity Management System (IDMS) o Census Hiring and Employment Check System (CHEC) o Other personnel-related systems, as required

Provide secure intake and document handling workflows for non-DARHTS selectees, including contractor staff or individuals onboarded via USA Staffing or other hiring mechanisms.

Capacity Requirements Maintain baseline capacity to enroll up to 1,000,000 selectees annually across all operational geographies.

Support surge periods with throughput exceeding 450,000 selectees in a single month.

Enable flexible deployment of fixed, mobile, and remote capture platforms to meet geographic and operational demand, including underserved and Island Area locations.

4.2 Background Investigation Review Services

Core Services

Conduct fingerprint-based criminal history checks and analyze FBI RAP sheets to support suitability determinations

Review background investigation materials to identify inconsistencies, red flags, or concerns for escalation

Provide suitability recommendations in alignment with federal adjudicative guidelines (5 CFR 731), without rendering final determinations

Implement adjudication case management platforms that integrate with federal systems and streamline reviewer workflows

Leverage Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Machine Learning (ML) for case triage, risk identification, and low-risk automation

Maintain audit-ready systems with built-in peer review, supervisory oversight, and quality assurance protocols

Capacity Requirement Maintain adjudication support capacity to review up to 50,000 cases monthly with consistent turnaround times.

Scale review workflows to address high-volume periods during hiring surges.

Infrastructure & Operational Support Encrypt all sensitive data at rest and in transit using FIPS 140-2-compliant methods.

Maintain audit-ready adjudication case management systems with built-in quality control protocols such as peer reviews and supervisory oversight.

4.3 Identity Credentialing & Badge Management Services

Core Services

Design, implement, and operate a secure solution for issuing physical and/or digital identity credentials to temporary Census personnel.

Ensure full integration with USCB personnel security and adjudication systems, including CHEC and IDMS.

Support centralized and regional badge issuance operations, including surge periods and deployment to Island Areas.

Operations & Technology Provide functionality for credential lifecycle management, including issuance, tracking, reissuance, deactivation, and reconciliation.

Enable multilingual and accessible operations, including support for underserved populations and Island Areas.

Implement real-time reporting and status dashboards to monitor credential distribution and inventory.

Infrastructure & Security Requirements Deploy a FedRAMP (Moderate or Higher) authorized, cloud-based badging solution compliant with FISMA, NIST SP 800-53, and CJIS standards.

Obtain and maintain a valid USCB-issued Authority to Operate (ATO) for all systems handling badge data.

Encrypt all badge-related data at rest and in transit using FIPS 140-2 or higher certified methods.

Implement robust security protocols, including Role-Based Access Controls (RBAC), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and audit trails for all badge-related actions (issuance, updates, deactivations).

Establish procedures for secure storage, return, and destruction of badge materials, both physical and digital, in accordance with federal and USCB requirements.

Capacity Requirements Support issuance of up to 750,000 identity credentials over the life of the program.

Accommodate surge issuance of up to 450,000 badges in a 30-day period.

Maintain sufficient inventory, staffing, and infrastructure to meet regional and mobile badging needs, including remote and Island Areas.

5 Response Submission Instructions Interested vendors shall submit a response no later than Monday, September 15, 2025, at 4:00 PM EST. All submissions shall be sent to james.n.brooks.jr@census.gov and paul.w.boesch@census.gov. The email subject line shall include the following description:

“Census FBIB SSN Response- COMPANY NAME”.

The overall submission shall be prepared in: Microsoft Word, using Times New Roman, 12-point font. The submission shall follow the section page limitations identified below.

Section Title Page Count

A Company Overview Information 1 B Fingerprint & Facial Photography Enrollment Services 4 C Background Investigation Review Services 5 D Identity Credentialing and Badge Management Services 6

A. Company Overview:

1. A brief description of your company along with years in business

2. Business size and socio-economic designation, including the applicable North American

Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes

3. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)

4. Website address

5. Point of contact, including email and phone number

6. List of Government-Wide Contract Vehicles that your company currently holds that are applicable to the requirements

5.1 Contractor Capability Descriptions (sections B-D)

Offerors shall provide up to three (3) direct experience profiles for each section B-D for projects similar in size, scope, and complexity to the anticipated 2030 FBIB requirements, as described in Section 4 – 2030 Scope of Required Services

Only respond to sections B, C, & D where your organization has direct experience or demonstrated ability. For areas where you do not have hands-on experience or where responsibilities would fall to a partner or subcontractor, identify the relevant party and indicate their role. We are seeking practical, experience-based responses to conceptual or marketing-driven answers.

Each example must clearly indicate whether the work was performed as a prime contractor or subcontractor, and must include:

The scope of services provided Technologies and systems used Performance outcomes (e.g., timeliness, quality, security compliance) Relevance to the FBIB task areas (e.g., fingerprinting, adjudication, badging, integration)

B. Fingerprint & Facial Photography Enrollment Services:

1. Customer and Project Name

2. Contract Number

3. Customer Point of Contact, including email and phone number

4. Description of relevant Fingerprint & Facial Photography Enrollment Services as described in Section 4.1

5. Duration of your company’s involvement with the Project

6. Your company’s specific role (prime contractor or subcontractor)

7. Subcontractor(s) and their roles, if applicable

8. Key Performance Indicators and Operational Metrics:

a. Peak daily fingerprinting appointment volume

b. Total fingerprints processed on a weekly and monthly basis

c. Peak number of biometric submissions handled in a single day

d. Geographic Coverage – Indicate national footprint and any international or territory-based operations

e. Modes of Enrollment and Capture – Specify enrollment types, including live scan, wet ink, mobile field units, or kiosk-based capture

9. Data and Security Practices:

a. Types and sensitivity levels of biometric and demographic data collected

b. Compliance with FISMA, CJIS, FedRAMP, NIST 800-53, and other relevant federal security framework

c. Secure data transmission protocols and encryption standards

d. Physical and logical security controls for protecting Personally Identifiable

Information (PII)

10. Quality Assurance and Asset Management:

a) Processes used to ensure biometric capture quality

b) Technician training and certification protocols

c) Tools used for remote monitoring, auditing, and compliance reporting

d) Strategies for equipment tracking, asset lifecycle management, and incident reporting

C. Background Investigation Review Services:

2. Contract Number

3. Customer Point of Contact, including email and phone number

4. Description of relevant Background Investigation Review Services performed as described in Section 4.2

5. Duration of your involvement with the project

6. Your company’s specific role (prime contractor or subcontractor)

7. Subcontracting team and their roles, if applicable

8. Key Volume Metrics:

a. Total number of background cases reviewed (weekly/monthly)

b. Peak processing volumes during surge periods

9. Technology and Innovation:

a. Use of case management platforms, adjudication dashboards, or document imaging tools

b. Integration with federal adjudication systems

c. Implementation of Natural Language Processing (NLP) for document review

d. Application of machine learning algorithms to flag discrepancies, identify derogatory findings, and automate routine case clearances

10. Description of Innovative Solutions Used, such as:

11. Use of AI and NLP tools to review and extract data from investigative documents

12. Use of machine learning to flag adverse elements for adjudication

13. Security and Remote Review Capabilities:

14. Secure handling of investigative PII and sensitive personnel data

15. FISMA/CJIS/NIST-compliant remote adjudication environment

16. Role-based access control and endpoint protection

17. Business continuity planning for remote staff and disaster recovery

18. Quality Assurance and Oversight:

a. Peer review and supervisory audits

b. Adjudicator performance monitoring and error rate tracking

c. Compliance with adjudication guidelines and turnaround standards

D. Identity Credentialing & Badge Management Services:

2. Contract Number

3. Customer Point of Contact, including email and phone number

4. Description of relevant Identity Credentialing & Badge Management Services performed as described in Section 4.3

5. Duration of your company’s involvement with the Project

6. Your Company’s specific role (prime contractor or subcontractor)

7. Subcontractor(s) and their roles, if applicable

8. Volume and Capacity Metrics:

a. Peak number of daily badging appointments

b. Total badges printed and issued on a weekly/monthly basis

c. Locations covered, including remote, island, or mobile badging operations

9. System Features and Security:

a. Use of automated workflows, real-time data validation, and batch printing processes

b. Integration with personnel systems for badge creation, activation, and deactivation

c. Secure printing, issuance, tracking, and decommissioning of badges

d. Physical badge features and anti-fraud printing measures (e.g., barcodes, holograms, embedded security elements)

10. Compliance and Data Handling:

a. Handling of photographs and personal identifiers

b. Conformance to federal standards for secure printing and identity verification

c. Logging and audit procedures for badge printing and issuance events

11. Quality Assurance and Asset Oversight:

a. Validation mechanisms to prevent duplicate, unauthorized, or inaccurate badge issuance

b. Monitoring of badge lifecycle status (e.g., printed, issued, expired, lost)

c. Management of badging equipment, printers, supplies, and consumables across multiple field or centralized locations

6 Disclaimer and Important Notes Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, segregate proprietary information and be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

Responses must be in writing and must provide clear and concise documentation indicating a potential offeror’s capability to provide these services. The Government does not desire to receive extraneous narratives, elaborate brochures or uninformative marketing material. Verbal responses and electronic submissions to any address other than what has been provided in this notice are not acceptable. USCB personnel may contact firms responding to this announcement to clarify a responder’s capabilities and other matters as part of this market research process.

Decennial Contracts Execution Office (DCEO) will be using contractor personnel to assist with this effort. Appropriate non-disclosure forms have been signed by all Contractor personnel and are on file with the DCEO.