The Romanian Border Police has awarded a 24-month, 6.87 million RON framework agreement to GRAPHIT Innovation Factory for mobile fingerprint readers to enhance biometric data collection, funded partially by EU grants. The contract, finalized on January 15, 2025, will provide advanced biometric devices designed to meet stringent technical standards, enabling the efficient and high-quality capture of fingerprint data.

The General Inspectorate of the Border Police, operating under Romania’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, issued the open tender to procure devices capable of collecting four fingerprints per session. These devices aim to improve the speed and accuracy of identity verification processes at Romania’s borders, aligning with EU regulations and modern security standards. The procurement underscores Romania’s ongoing investment in digital identity and border security infrastructure.
GRAPHIT Innovation Factory, a small enterprise based in Mehedinți County, was the sole bidder in this procurement process. The company’s proposal met all criteria, including compliance with EU Directive 2014/24/EU, which governs public procurement. The award criteria heavily emphasized cost, which accounted for 80 percent of the evaluation weight, and warranty periods, which contributed 20 percent. GRAPHIT’s devices will include a minimum 24-month warranty, with the potential for extended coverage of up to 36 months.
The framework agreement specifies that subsequent contracts under its terms must be fulfilled within three months of issuance. The devices will be delivered in compliance with technical specifications outlined in the tender dossier, which ensures uniformity and adherence to international biometric standards. The largest individual contract under the framework is valued at 2.97 million RON, indicating the potential for phased procurement based on operational requirements.
The project is partially financed by EU non-reimbursable funds, reflecting the broader EU commitment to bolstering member states’ border security through advanced technology. The remaining funding is allocated from Romania’s national budget. This dual funding approach highlights the strategic importance of the initiative in safeguarding Romania’s external borders, which are also part of the European Union’s external frontier.
The mobile fingerprint readers are expected to significantly enhance the Romanian Border Police’s ability to perform identity verification in various operational scenarios. By deploying portable devices, border officials can efficiently manage high-traffic situations and respond to incidents in remote locations. These advancements are particularly critical as Romania continues its efforts to join the Schengen Area, where seamless and secure border management is a fundamental requirement.
This procurement is part of a broader trend in the EU toward integrating biometric technologies into public safety and border management operations. The inclusion of warranty-based quality assessments further ensures long-term reliability and value for the investment.
Source: TED
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January 17, 2025 – by Cass Kennedy and Alex Perala
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