DHS Issues RFI for AWS-Based Latent Fingerprint System

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for a new latent fingerprint system as part of its broader efforts to enhance biometric identity services through the Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM). OBIM, responsible for managing the Automated Biometric Identification System (IDENT), aims to address growing demands for biometrics in national security, counterterrorism, and immigration operations. This initiative comes amid ongoing Congressional scrutiny of DHS’s biometric modernization efforts, particularly regarding the implementation of its Homeland Advanced Recognition Technology (HART) system.

The RFI outlines DHS’s interest in an AWS cloud-based solution housed in the AWS GovCloud West Region. The new system must handle large-scale storage, matching, and analysis requirements. Specific performance benchmarks include support for latent searches across two fingerprint galleries. The first gallery contains 30 million identities with an annual growth rate of 3 million, while the second houses 300 million identities, expanding by 18 million per year. The system must process up to 100 latent searches per hour during peak periods and achieve response times of under 600 seconds or 60 minutes, depending on the scenario.

The Unsolved Latent File (ULF) is another critical focus. DHS seeks reverse-search functionality for unsolved latent fingerprints, with a gallery that could scale from 500,000 to 2 million entries. Peak performance requirements include processing 12,000 known-to-latent searches per hour and 100 latent-to-latent searches per hour, with robust thresholding mechanisms to optimize accuracy and minimize examiner workloads. Following industry standards, the system will need to meet rigorous accuracy benchmarks, similar to those evaluated by NIST in its benchmark tests for biometric systems.

DHS places strong emphasis on usability for latent fingerprint examiners. The proposed solution must offer a graphical user interface (GUI) tool to enable examiners to visualize prints, annotate features, review and verify matches, generate reports, and perform quality checks. The system must also maintain compliance with established standards, similar to how other biometric engines have achieved compliance with OSIA ITU standards for interoperability.

Vendors responding to the RFI must also address their approaches to algorithm updates and interoperability with other systems. These details will inform DHS’s eventual solicitation for quotes. The importance of proper system migration strategies has become increasingly critical, as evidenced by recent forecasts showing dramatic growth in biometric system deployments across various sectors. Responses are due by January 10, 2025, and will help shape future procurement processes for the department’s biometric capabilities.

Source: SAM.gov

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November 22, 2024 – by Cass Kennedy