US GPO seeks industry comment

05 July 2006

The US Government Printing Office (USGPO) has issued a presolicitation notice inviting the industry to comment on its Draft Request for Proposal to establish a government-located, contractor-owned and operated, e-IDentification programme to support the manufacturing, personalisation, issuance and management of electronically enabled smart cards for use under Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) 12.

The creation of HSPD-12 means that all US Federal agencies must begin issuing smart ID cards with biometrics to all new employees and contractors by October 27, 2006.

According to the solicitation notice: “The goals of the USGPO are to provide a trusted, secure supply chain for the procurement and maintenance of electronic components and software, to enhance the overall security of government identification credentials, and to utilise the core competencies and internal capabilities of the USGPO where appropriate for security reasons or where efficiencies can be achieved. The USGPO intends to achieve these goals using an established model of public and private cooperation.”

The closing date for comment is Friday 14 July 2006 at 3:00pm.