The UK Home Office Biometrics (HOB) Programme has issued a tender for design and operation of its biometric performance test environment, development environment, and pipe-line.

 

The project, which will initially encompass fingerprint, facial recognition, and DNA modalities, is expected to be worth roughly £4.9 million (US$6.45 million), with an expected contract length of two years. Contracts for Home Office’s current biometric systems end in 2019, and the tender newly published to the government’s Digital Marketplace will provide for the continuation of HOB’s national service.

 

The company that wins the contract will provide HOB with input to the specification of biometric services, workflows, and product selections for equipment and matching software. It will also provide input into the requirements, design, procurement and delivery of biometric solutions, and ensure the integration of services during delivery, according to the tender documentation.

 

HOB held a supplier event in April 2016 to brief potential suppliers on the agency’s approach, and a technology road map which is included in the project, and another event will be held for shortlisted suppliers. The closing date for applications is July 17.

 

The Home Office recently released its long-awaited Biometrics Strategy, which lays out plans for the continued expansion of biometric use by UK government agencies.