Portuguese Prison Authority Contracts Contactus for Biometric Terminal Deployment

Portugal’s national prison authority has awarded a contract for the procurement and installation of biometric access control equipment across its facilities. The Direção-Geral de Reinserção e Serviços Prisionais (DGRSP) selected Lisbon-based Contactus, S.A. to supply 90 biometric terminals and four high-capacity control units, known as “supermasters.”

The €149,460 contract was awarded following an open procurement procedure and signed on May 22, 2025. Contactus was the sole bidder. The terminals are required to be compatible with DGRSP’s existing IT infrastructure, specifically the cRHonus system, which supports internal security and attendance management functions.

System Integration and Scope

The biometric devices will be integrated into DGRSP’s command and control network as part of its broader modernization of security infrastructure. The procurement was classified under the CPV code 35710000 for “Command, control, communication and computer systems,” suggesting that the hardware will play a role beyond standalone identity verification.

According to the official tender notice, the contract includes both delivery and installation services. No subcontracting was reported, and the project is not co-financed by EU funds. Although the listed region of performance is “Extra-Regio NUTS 3 (PTZZZ),” this designation typically refers to multi-regional or national scope rather than a single geographic area, implying system-wide deployment across multiple correctional institutions.

Vendor Background

Contactus, S.A. is a Portugal-based small-to-medium enterprise focused on IT and security solutions. The company’s past public sector engagements have included systems integration and support services in various government domains.

The award highlights the growing role of biometric technologies in correctional services across Europe. As correctional facilities adopt more sophisticated digital infrastructures, biometric terminals are increasingly deployed for secure access control, inmate tracking, and staff time management systems.

Source: TED

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May 27, 2025 – by Cass Kennedy