The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is exploring biometric authentication technologies as part of a new proof-of-concept initiative, and has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to identify capable vendors. The initiative aims to evaluate facial and/or iris recognition systems for secure identity verification in VA environments.
The RFI outlines the VA’s interest in assessing biometric solutions for both physical and logical access control. The proof-of-concept will involve tasks such as site assessments, hardware and software deployment, solution testing, and user enrollment. The VA is particularly interested in technologies that can operate within a single-tenant cloud environment and be implemented at scale across federal, healthcare, or enterprise settings.
Vendors responding to the RFI are asked to provide detailed information about their past experience with biometric authentication deployments, especially those involving large healthcare systems or government agencies. Responses should include a rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost estimate for base and optional tasks, including hardware, software, labor, and any recurring expenses.
The agency is also requesting feedback on the feasibility of the proposed 12-month implementation timeline, potential system limitations—especially with respect to integration with physical access control systems (PACS)—and whether customization would be required to meet the project goals.
Responses are due by 10:00 AM Eastern Time on May 23, 2025, and should be submitted electronically to VA contracting officials Crystal Lomonaco and Kendra Casebolt. The notice emphasizes that participation in the RFI is voluntary and non-binding, and that any future contract would be awarded through a competitive process.
The effort is being led by the VA’s Technology Acquisition Center in Eatontown, New Jersey, and is classified under PSC DJ01 – IT and Telecom Security and Compliance Support Services.
An attached draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) provides further insight into the project scope, which is framed as a preliminary step toward broader adoption of biometric technologies within the VA’s identity management infrastructure.
Source: SAM.gov
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May 6, 2025 – by Cass Kennedy
