Portugal Cancels €2.15M Biometric Software Tender Without Selecting Winner

The Portuguese government has concluded a major public tender for biometric software without selecting a winning bid. The Agência para a Modernização Administrativa (AMA), Portugal’s government modernization agency, announced the tender’s closure in an official notice on January 2, 2025.

The procurement initiative, valued at €2.15 million excluding VAT, sought biometric adherence software to enhance digital identity systems for 2024-2026. The 20-month project received partial funding from the European Union as part of the broader European Digital Identity Wallet initiative, which aims to establish unified digital identity systems across member states.

Three bidders participated in the open procedure, including a consortium of Biometrid S.A. and NOS-Comunicações S.A. Biometrid, which recently partnered with iProov for enhanced identity verification solutions, has been actively expanding its presence in Portugal’s digital identity sector. The AMA cited “Other” as the reason for not selecting any of the submissions, effectively closing the competition.

The tender specifications outlined requirements for advanced biometric software to support Portugal’s digital identity framework. The procurement followed EU Directive 2014/24/EU guidelines for public procurement, falling under CPV codes 48810000 for Information Systems and 48328000 for Image-Processing Software Package.

The evaluation criteria weighted quality at 70 percent and price at 30 percent, highlighting the emphasis on technical and functional capabilities. Despite these parameters, none of the submitted proposals met AMA’s requirements, which were established in accordance with the EU’s stringent standards for digital identity verification and privacy protection.

The unsuccessful tender could delay Portugal’s digital identity infrastructure modernization plans. The setback follows several recent developments in Portugal’s digital transformation journey, including TECH5’s establishment of new R&D facilities in the country to advance biometric technology development.

The development occurs as European Union member states implement digital identity systems. Many countries are incorporating biometric technologies to enhance security and streamline public services, with Portugal positioning itself as a key player in digital transformation initiatives. The AMA continues to oversee various initiatives aimed at modernizing Portugal’s public administration through digital transformation, including the implementation of biometric border control systems and enhanced citizen services.

Sources: TED

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January 06, 2025 – by Ali Nassar-Smith