FBI Issues RFI for Clearview-type Tech

The FBI is looking for information about facial recognition technology in a new RFI. The Request for Information seeks to gather information regarding open-source facial recognition (FR) capabilities for potential future acquisition.

The Bureau is looking for companies that can provide Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms enabling facial image searches against these open-source databases. Presumably, that would include scanning images collected from the internet, as is done through platform’s like Clearview AI and PimEyes. The information gathered will be used to inform future acquisition strategies.

As the RFI explains, open-source facial recognition capabilities can generate investigative leads using publicly available images, such as those on social media and the dark web. Traditional image repositories like government databases often fail to provide critical information, making open-source facial recognition a potentially valuable tool for addressing fast-evolving threats. The ability to generate leads from open-source images is particularly important in cases where subjects conceal their identities or are not in the U.S.

The FBI invites interested vendors to respond with details about their FR tools, repositories, and algorithm accuracy, as well as their ability to supply facial recognition services as a SaaS product. It requires specific information about the data sources, accuracy, and operational capabilities of the technology. Companies are asked to provide a broad range of technical and business-related information, such as the nature of their image databases, pricing models, and U.S. residency of their workforce.

Vendors are also asked to disclose any software developed outside the U.S. and provide details about data security, storage practices, and privacy protocols.

Vendors with solutions that allow face image encoding within the client’s system, before submission to the vendor’s software, are especially of interest.

Responses to the RFI must be submitted by October 15, 2024, with a page limit of 15 pages. The FBI makes it clear that responses should be specific to the information requested and should not include offers, proposals, or general corporate information. The RFI is designed solely for market research purposes and does not constitute a formal solicitation.

Source: SAM.gov

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September 23, 2024 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team