Germany’s BSI Awards €384K Contract for National Biometric Matching System Maintenance

Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) has awarded a maintenance and update contract for its National Biometric Matching Service 2.0 (NBMS 2.0) system following an open tender process. The 13-month contract, valued at €383,685.75, was awarded after receiving three electronic bids. The development comes as Germany continues to expand its digital identity infrastructure, following the BSI’s recent announcement of plans to develop a national European Digital Identity Wallet.

The NBMS 2.0 functions as a Java-based backend system that centralizes biometric operations including quality evaluation, verification, and identification for German federal authorities. The platform processes REST-based client requests, manages workflows and biometric algorithms, and controls access through rights and role assignments. It includes interfaces for testing, monitoring, administration, and algorithm evaluation. The system plays a crucial role in Germany’s expanding biometric capabilities, which have recently been extended to include facial recognition technology for law enforcement.

Under the contract designation “Nationaler Biometric Matching Service 2.0 Teilprojekt 4: Maintenance & Updates,” the selected vendor – which has not yet been named by authorities – will perform bug fixes, system improvements, and optimizations. The work falls under IT services category CPV 72000000, encompassing consulting, software development, Internet, and support services. While the contractor will perform most work at their location, the overseeing BSI authority is based in Bonn.

The procurement process adhered to Directive 2014/24/EU guidelines, with evaluation criteria equally weighted between quality and price at 50 points each. Participating companies retained the right to challenge the procurement process under German competition law (§ 97 Abs. 6 GWB). The BSI has established a strong track record in maintaining high standards for biometric systems, as evidenced by their rigorous certification processes for biometric hardware.

The NBMS 2.0 system serves as the central infrastructure for biometric matching operations across German federal applications, enabling secure identity verification and management capabilities. The maintenance contract ensures the continued reliability and security of Germany’s national biometric infrastructure, which is increasingly important as the country expands its digital identity initiatives.

Sources: TED

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December 18, 2024 – by Cass Kennedy