biometrics

 
CACI-CMS Information Systems Inc., Chantilly, Va., was awarded a $9,705,666 modification, to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract to provide program management and engineering services in support of Department of Defense biometric programs. The total cumulative face value of this contract is now $43,357,840. The Army Contracting Command, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., is the contracting activity. 

Northrop Grumman Information Systems, McLean, Va., was awarded a $9,784,125 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to exercise the option for systems sustainment in support of the biometrics database. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., is the contracting activity.

Security concerns have largely driven advances in biometric technologies, but that likely will not be the case in the coming years. Commercial needs will overtake government security needs in determining the direction of biometrics, according to Troy Potter, vice president, Identity and Biometrics Solutions, Unisys Federal Systems, at the AFCEA Homeland Security Conference on Wednesday.

“We’re looking at this change from a security focus to a convenience, automation and cost-savings focus. That’s driving the market today. Commercial organizations will drive the market for the next 10 years,” Potter stated.

He cited the example of a friend who has to provide a fingerprint scan when dropping off and picking up her child from the day care center. Potter said that while it may seem to be an effort to improve security, it actually is more motivated by cost savings and having a detailed record of exactly when children are picked up and dropped off. He also cited the example of social media sites using facial recognition.

Some systems, he pointed out, now require a 16-digit password and a large percentage of help desk calls are for password resets, making biometrics an attractive alternative. “The problem is, who is going to manage all of this,” he asked. “Do we trust the day care more than we trust the government?”

 
Kratos Defense and Security Solutions Inc., San Diego, Calif., a leading National Security Solutions provider, announced today that its Defense Rocket Support Service division's Technical Services business unit won the contract to provide acquisition, financial, logistics, training, technical, program management and administrative support to the Program Manager United States Marine Corps Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (PM USMC CREW) Biometrics Programs. PM USMC CREW Biometrics Programs include the Biometrics Automated Toolset and server, the Identity Dominance System Marine Corps, the Biometrics Enrollment Screening Device, the Handheld Interagency Identity Detection Equipment. Kratos will also support Biometrics training, which is conducted by the Tactical Training Exercise Control Group and the Marine Corps Tactics and Operations Group at the Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, 29 Palms, Calif.

Integral Consulting Services Inc. recently announced that it has been awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity single award contract worth up to $49.7 million from the U.S. Army’s National Ground Intelligence Center (NGIC) for all-source intelligence analysis and support services. Integral will provide biometrics-enabled intelligence (BEI) and all-source identity intelligence (I2) analytical support to NGIC, Defense Department customers from the tactical to national levels, and interagency partners. Integral also intends to perform watch list management functions, coordinate reach-back BEI support for deployed forces, and perform related supporting tasks as required.