D-RFI FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES FOR ICAO

Notice Date

August 21, 2001

Contracting Office

Department of State, Office of Acquisition, P. O. Box 9115, Rosslyn Station, Arlington, VA 22219-0244

ZIP Code

22219-0244

Description

This is a Request for Information (RFI). The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Technical Advisory Group on Machine-Readable Travel Documents (TAG MRTD) is responsible for the development of specifications for travel documents with the goal of global interoperability. In addition, the TAG MRTD seeks to advise ICAO on technology issues related to the issuance and use of machine-readable travel documents. As a result, the TAG MRTD through its New Technologies Working Group (NTWG) issues an RFI every three years in order to keep abreast of new and improving technologies. Relevant information gathered during the RFI process will be summarised and shared among the ICAO Contracting States (there are currently 187 Contracting States). ICAO will also consider this information when international standards are developed. Particular areas of interest in this RFI are Radio Frequency technologies, machine assisted document security, selected biometrics, travel document printers for use in low volume environments, full page travel document readers, long life card applications, self-service facilitation systems and travel document related E-commerce. Interested parties must present their technologies in the context of ICAO Document 9303, which prescribes international format and on-board data storage standards for machine-readable passports, visas, and other official machine-readable travel documents. Interested parties must also be able to substantiate any claims related to performance of the technology proposed. Interested parties are therefore invited to provide technical, application environment and pricing information for technologies in the following categories: 1. Biometrics -- Facial, finger and iris biometric technologies and new concepts that may be used in the travel document issuance process or to link travel documents to their rightful owners. 2. Travel Document Printers -- Secure Printers that are suitable for operation in a low transaction volume environment with limited technical support. Cost is a critical factor. 3. Travel Document Readers -- Travel Document Readers that enable the full data page to be read and specific information/images to be captured/displayed/transmitted. 4. Long Life Cards -- Cards suitable for use as travel documents that demonstrate a life of not less than 10 years in terms of material, wear and data storage media. 5. Self-service Facilitation -- Technologies and processes that are suitable for self-identification at international borders and/or entitlement facilities that will enable either unattended border crossing or programme enrolment. 6. RF technologies -- The application of radio frequency technologies in travel documents. 7. Machine assisted document security -- Security features and machine verification concepts that facilitate automated document authentication. 8. E-Commerce -- Turnkey electronic on-line systems that may be applied to secure internet based passport/visa application processes. Information is sought for consideration of use in machine-readable passports, visas and card-based travel documents. The technologies sought for consideration are those for use in the assessment of applicant eligibility and document production. Additionally those that that link documents to holders, provide reliable authentication of genuine documents, and that will facilitate the secure and reliable transit of travellers through international border control points and can facilitate the movement of passengers through airports and other international transportation facilities. Proposals will be reviewed with regards to a variety of qualitative and quantitative factors dependant on the category but will generally include factors such as cost, speed, accuracy (including false accept and reject rates), security, integrity, durability, global interoperability and proven application in an operational environment. Interested parties should also recognise that in the application of these technologies, the following matters will be particularly considered: Global interoperability at borders, global acceptance by citizens of Contracting States, conduciveness to open international standards, multiple sources of supply, and affordability by all Contracting States. Written response to this RFI must be provided by 30 October 2001 to David Philp, RFI Coordinator, ICAO New Technologies Working Group, c/o New Zealand Passport Office, Identity Services, Department of Internal Affairs 47 Boulcott Street, Wellington, New Zealand (Phone: 64 4 474 8112, Email: david.philp@dia.govt.nz). Supporting information and descriptive literature may be provided as part of the response. However, a succinctly written information summary paper must be included in all responses. The purpose of the summary paper is to help facilitate the compilation of summary information on each technology into a summary report that can be provided to each ICAO Contracting State. The format, background material on the requirements and simple instructions for completion of the summary paper can be downloaded via the Internet at the following address: www.passports.govt.nz/icao-rfi. Following receipt of summary sheets and descriptive literature and information, vendors may be invited to make oral presentations to Government members of the New Technologies Working Group and representatives of ICAO Contracting States. Oral presentations are planned for 11 to 13,18 and 19 February 2002 in Montreal, Canada. Interested parties are advised that ICAO is under no obligation to designate any standard or take any further action with any party as a result of this Request for Information. Summary sheets supplied in response to this RFI will be made available to Contracting States. Accompanying information and descriptive literature may be made available to Contracting States. With the exception of the summary sheets, any other information that is considered non-disclosable to all ICAO Contracting States should be identified as such. Non-disclosable information will be retained exclusively for the use of the Government members of the ICAO New Technology Working Group. Requests for copies of ICAO standards documents (ICAO Document 9303, Parts 1 to 3) should be directed to: www.sales_unit@icao.org. This Request for Information is issued on behalf of the New Zealand Passport Office, Department of Internal Affairs in furtherance of its participation in the TAG/MRTD also being a contracting State of ICAO, a United Nations specialised agency. The New Zealand Government and its employees accept no responsibility for the actions or undertakings of ICAO, ICAO participants, or ICAO staff.*****

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010823/SPMSC005.HTM (W-233 SN50V569)