TSC RFI for Search Software Solution.pdf

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

FINANCE AND FACILITIES DIVISION | PROCUREMENT SECTION

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) TEMPLATE

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) RFI-11062024

TSC Data Search Software Requirement

11/1/2025

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 Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) Data Search Software

Requirement.

The information gathered may be used to formulate acquisition strategies for competitive solicitations.

BACKGROUND

The TSC conducts its screening mission through the development of technology initiatives for the watchlisting and encounters database that is shared with Federal, State, local and international law enforcement, and national security partners.

To carry out its mission, the TSC requires a renewal of its data search commercial software solution.

This software would be considered commercial, and this effort will not be consolidated with previous efforts.

The TSC’s data consists of person-centric information, which is complex with many name variations.

A person can have multiple versions of a name for reasons such as using nicknames, reaching life milestones, using aliases or short and long versions of names. These variations can be problematic, for example screening an individual before granting them access or entry, merging or deduplicating records and validating a person’s identity. In these situations, and many others, multicultural person name matching technology is used to find person name records that would otherwise not be located.

Lastly, to comport with security requirements, FBI/TSC requires software vendors to be Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) rated High. This rating is based on the national security sensitivities of the TSC data, which is enforced by the Authorizing Official (AO). The

FedRAMP rates Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) products.

The TSC requires commercial software solutions that can provide search / query capabilities of up to

50 Terabytes of data with more specific requirements highlighted below pertaining to identity, single, and batch searches:

A. Identity Search Requirements

1. Identity Search solution can query various facet types including name, dob, citizenship, and system identifiers (two dimensional - type and value).

2. Identity Search can apply different search algorithms based on different facet types. For example, exact match for citizenship, date editing distance for dates of birth (DOB), etc.

a. DOB Search must be configurable (ex: +/- 5 years)

b. Certain facets should take into account typographic errors.

3. Search solution’s name algorithm needs to be culturally aware to handle names from various countries and ethnicities based on full names. A full name can have several name tokens

(i.e. full name typically consists of 4 or 5 name “tokens” for some cultures). Names could be misspelled and flipped (given name and surname are in wrong order).

a. Search algorithm should include fuzzy name search to aid misspelled names are found.

4. Search solution for locations should be able to match based on physical location. One scenario would be to search off AOR such as the DC area, which encompasses multiples states/major airports. Another example is being able to match locations that are physically the same or similar but may have changed names or be called different names (for example:

Israel, Czech Republic, Swaziland).

5. Search solution should return a list of ranked search result based on search criteria and a threshold parameter. Each match result should have a normalized aggregate score.

6. Search solution needs to search about 15 million names, DOBs, and system identifiers (e.g.

passports, driver license numbers).

7. There are about 2500-3000 adds, mods, deletes on identities daily. It needs to periodically

(every 5 minutes) sync up with Search solution through an API.

8. Search solution should provide ability to monitor status of its cluster and check if it is in sync with the identity database and provide notifications if out of sync.

9. Search solution should provide ability to reconcile with the Identity database if they are out of sync.

10. Search solution should be able to accommodate and search against multiple search populations at the same time.

11. Search solution needs to be deployed in a highly available and scalable fashion on Cloud.

Losing part of the cluster due to AZ failure can result in performance degradation but the search cluster needs to remain available for searches.

12. Search solution needs to scale linearly by adding extra nodes to the cluster. Autoscaling in/out based on threshold values would be preferable.

13. Preferred search solution should be a cloud native, that leverages managed services where possible to reduce footprint and cost.

14. Search solution should provide tuning parameters and different weighting options for search facet for system administrators.

15. Search solution should provide the ability to drill down to see each facet score given a match result.

16. Search solution should provide the ability to easily add new facet types/searchable fields.

17. Search solution should be index based. The index should be in memory and persist to disk to handle node failure.

18. Search solution must handle data profiles, which will be pre-set by system to determine what results can be returned.

19. Search solution should provide other government clients as references for this specific use

(identity name search).

20. Search solution should provide quarterly releases/patches and must include remediation of vulnerabilities discovered during security scanning.

B. Single Search Requirements

1. User enters search criteria and a threshold on the UI and waits for the search result.

2. The search result is expected to return to the user in less than 3 seconds.

3. The match results are sorted based on the aggregated match scores.

C. Batch Search Requirements

1. User uploads a file with search criteria into the system and initiates the search.

2. User can set the max result size and threshold for search criteria.

3. Search runs in the background.

4. The UI periodically refreshes to display the batch search request status. Once the search is completed, the result file will be available to be downloaded.

5. Batch search should take a lower priority than single search. In other words, running a big batch search should not starve new single searches.

6. Multiple batch searches can be conducted with minimal performance degradation.

CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS

This RFI is open to small and large businesses for market research only to request input from potential providers / resellers of search software solutions.

The Government would like to know which firms can provide the search software solutions 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 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 must be unclassified.

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

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

CONTEMPLATED REQUIREMENT

FBI's Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) Information Technology Unit is issuing this Request for

Information (RFI) to:

Gather industry information on the enclosed requirements.

Request information on any industry changes or improvements that the FBI should consider when looking to achieve products and capabilities that meet requirements and are compatible with the commercial environment.

Request information on potential barriers to obtaining solutions that meet objectives needed to accomplish stated requirements. The areas of interest for contemplated requirements and scenarios are addressed below.

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.

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 25 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 SOW

Attachment AS - Request for Information (RFI) Template

Version 1.2 Page 8

The completed package shall be sent via email to tbcutright@fbi.gov. Submissions must be received no later than 12pm Eastern Time on November 27th, 2024. Questions or comments regarding this notice may be addressed to Contracting Specialist (CS) Tyler Cutright via email at tbcutright@fbi.gov by November 13th, 2024. All questions received prior to the November 13th deadline shall receive a response by November 20th, 2024. 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:tbcutright@fbi.gov.

mailto:tbcutright@fbi.gov