RFI 70RSAT26RFI000020.pdf

NOTICE ID: 70RSAT26RFI000020

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate

Identity Documents Validation

FY26

NOTE: THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and market research planning purposes. This RFI shall not be construed as an obligation on the part of the Government. This is NOT a Request for Quotations or Proposals. No solicitation document exists, and the Government may or may not issue a formal solicitation as a result of the responses received to this RFI.

The Government will not pay for any response or demonstration expenses. All costs incurred responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Failure to respond to this RFI will not preclude participation in any future solicitation. Any information received will become the property of the

Government and will not be returned to the submitter. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or sensitive information.

The Government’s explicit intent, in this request for information, is to not receive from respondents any proprietary data, trade secrets, business sensitive information, or information considered

CONFIDENTIAL under 18 U.S.C. §1905. The Government’s constraint does not in any way relieve contractors from their responsibility to properly mark proprietary data when it is provided, nor does it alleviate any requirement for the Government to protect marked data. The Government is not obligated to protect unmarked data.

The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. All submissions become the property of the Federal Government and will not be returned.

Government technical experts drawn from staff within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other federal agencies may review responses. The Government may use selected support Contractor personnel to assist in the review of the RFI responses. These support Contractors will be bound by appropriate non-disclosure agreements to protect proprietary information.

I. PURPOSE OF THIS RFI

The purpose of this RFI is to collect information from qualified and interested sources with the capability and experience in providing services identified in the RFI.

II. BACKGROUND/DESCRIPTION

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Directorate of Science and Technology (S&T) Office

Science and Engineering (OSE) is conducting market research to determine the capabilities of industry of digital forensics services to support verification and validation of assorted identity documents. These could include but not be limited to the following capabilities:

• Expert consulting, integration, and development services to facilitate the examination, creation, testing, and replication of integrated circuit systems or digital security elements contained within physical secure identity documents e.g. (cryptographic signatures in barcodes) including passports, driver’s licenses, ID cards, vital records, etc.

• Expert consulting, integration, and development services to facilitate the examination, creation, testing, and replication of Verifiable Digital Credential (VDC) versions of physical secure identity documents (e.g. mobile driver’s licenses, digital travel credentials) including passports, driver’s licenses, ID cards, etc.

III. QUESTIONS FOR INDUSTRY

Please address the following five (5) Capability Areas by addressing each in 300 words or less. Each response should clearly indicate whether or not your firm has prior experience in each Capability Area.

1. Prior experience developing identity document issuance, forensics analysis or verification systems

2. Experience implementing systems based on ICAO 9303. Include specific test cases or parts of 9303 covered

3. Experience with other relevant specifications e.g. ISO/IEC 18013, 23220 series, emerging work in

W3C

4. Ability to document outcomes and transition work products to forensic personnel who will serve as expert witnesses

5. Prior experience with development or verification of integrated circuit identity systems e.g. PIV cards, electronic identity cards, passports.

IV. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Responses from all interested sources are encouraged to respond. Responses shall be a maximum of 4 pages and shall include a separate cover letter with the following information:

1) Response to RFI Notice 70RSAT26RFI000020

2) Company Legal Business name and Physical address;

3) Identify business socio-economic status;

4) Recommend the NAICS Code most aligned with the requirement;

5) Company points of contact including phone numbers and email addresses;

6) A comprehensive response that addresses Section III as delineated above (observing the word limit for each question);

7) Identify if your firm currently holds any Best-in-Class (BIC) vehicles (e.g. 8 (a) STARS III, Alliant 2, VETS 2, POLARIS, NITAAC, and GSA MAS contracts, etc.), to include the applicable contract number; and

8) Identify if your company would be interested in competing for this requirement as prime contractor or subcontractor, if solicited. If subcontracting, identify any joint ventures or teaming arrangements that would be pursued.

Submissions shall be made using Microsoft Office applications. Font shall not be smaller than 12-point

Times New Roman.

All Responses shall be submitted to the Office of Procurement Operations (OPO) at the following email address: Contracting Officer (CO) Jason Rios (jason.rios@hq.dhs.gov) and Contract Specialist

(CS) Frances Gray (frances.gray@hq.dhs.gov) no later than July 23, 2026.

V. INDUSTRY DAY

The Government may hold an Industry Day for this requirement. Details regarding an Industry Day will be provided at a later time.

Note: The Government reserves the right to hold one-on-one meetings as a result of responses received from this RFI as part of its market research. Meetings may be held with companies who provide comprehensive and relevant responses to the topic and questions in this notice.