The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) has issued a Sources Sought Notice for a comprehensive biometric identity vetting system designed to enhance visitor screening capabilities. The initiative, which comes amid broader adoption of biometric technologies across federal facilities and airports, aims to streamline the background check process for the hundreds of thousands of visitors the Academy receives annually.
The proposed system, designated under Notice ID SourcesSoughtNotice-10SFSKiosk, calls for self-service kiosks that will integrate with multiple law enforcement databases, including the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and Interstate Identification Index (III). The system will perform automated background checks for various security concerns, including wanted persons alerts, immigration violations, and potential terrorist affiliations.
Key technical requirements include facial recognition capabilities to match visitors against government-issued IDs, physical ID validation including REAL ID compliance checks, and integration with various law enforcement databases. The kiosks must feature wheelchair-accessible cameras, touchscreen interfaces with privacy screens, and secure cellular connectivity.
The solicitation also requires eight rugged mobile verification devices with advanced capabilities including:
– Smart card readers for government credentials
– Biometric fingerprint readers with PIV certification
– Extended battery life and extreme temperature operation
The system must comply with Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Policy and maintain secure partnerships with various law enforcement agencies. This emphasis on security alignment follows recent trends in aviation and government facility security, including enhanced cybersecurity measures at airports.
The USAFA has designated this as a Total Small Business Set-Aside under NAICS Code 334118. Interested vendors must submit capabilities packages by February 5, 2025, at 2:00 PM MST, detailing their experience, resources, and ability to meet the specified requirements.
Source: SAM.gov
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February 3, 2025 – by Cass Kennedy
