Home Office Biometrics (HOB) - Biometric Technical Services

Tender description

Why the Work is Being Done The Home Office Biometrics (HOB) Programme has been commissioned to undertake and deliver future biometric IT services. This is a cross-functional technology convergence programme for biometrics (initially Fingerprint, Facial recognition and DNA). HOB includes biometrics for borders, security, law enforcement and intelligence functions, HM Passport Office, Visas, Immigration and Asylum, and others. Additionally, in scope is design of a service which does not preclude additional users nor additional biometric modes. The Home Office will own the high level design and direction of the new service. Problem to Be Solved Provision of specialist biometric technical service to be delivered flexibly in support of the HOB Programme biometric projects and associated initiatives. In particular to design and operate the biometric performance test environment, biometric development environment, and pipe-line. Provide biometric specialist input to the specification of biometric services, workflows and product selections across front end equipment, workflows, biometric matcher software and bureau operations. Provide technical biometric specialist input to the requirements, design, procurement and delivery of biometric solutions. Ensure the integration of the biometric services during delivery. Maintain a roadmap for the technical capability of the biometric service. Who Are the Users Users include many government departments not limited to law enforcement, immigration, border force, HMPO staff who need to use biometrics in a number of situations and locations including custody suites, mobile locations, borders, passport offices and visa application centres. Early Market Engagement The approach including the technology road map was briefed to potential suppliers at the HOB supplier day in April 2016, but no specific engagement with suppliers has been undertaken for this procurement. Work Already Done The programme has a technology roadmap, high level designs and high level requirements. Individual projects have lower level designs and requirements defined. Projects are at various stage in their life cycle and the designs and output reflect this. Existing Team The supplier will be working with the existing HOB Technical Design Authority, Business Design Authority and Test Design & Consultancy Services. The supplier will also work with many external delivery and support suppliers for the new developments and changes to existing systems. Current Phase Not applicable Work Location London, Croydon and Birmingham Working Arrangments Working arrangements are expected to be flexible and best configured for the project and team the supplier is working in. Some on-site work in Croydon and Birmingham will be required in particular for security sensitive work. Security Clearance All personnel must hold or be prepared to undergo Home Office SC clearance. Staff with access to live police data and sensitive designs will require NPPV Level 3. Additional T&Cs Suppliers must comply with the standard terms and conditions of the DOS Framework. Skills & Experience Knowledge of biometric technologies supporting verfication, identification, watchlisting and investigation. Biometric modes include; fingerprint systems, facial recognition and DNA profiling and matching systems. Methods, specifically: biometric testing, sizing biometrics systems; best practices in biometric capture; systems integration; technical / solutions architecture; continuous integration practices in support of secure and high integrity agile developments Knowledge and application of standards, specifically:NIST interface standards; NIST capture standards for fingerprints; ISO and ICAO capture standards for face Experience of working with products in development, deployment and operation, including any leading biometric software and hardware solutions Practical experience in the specification, procurement, design, test and integration of large-scale (multi-million record), complex, mission critical biometric systems within the public sector covering fingerprint and face biometrics Working collaboratively in teams with Home Office Staff Good business wide and customer stakeholder management skills A proven ability to work productively alongside a mix of suppliers to resolve design issues Ability to provide leadership in the integration of biometric systems and solutions (including biometric interfaces) within complex IT and business landscapes Ability to co-ordinate complex legacy IT architectural migrations to future state architectures Knowledge and experience in leading the biometric technical aspects of major biometric procurement and evaluation activities Understanding of G-Cloud and GDS principles Design and management of the biometrics development pipeline, in particular in support of agile delivery projects Operation of secure development environments Design and management of biometric accuracy and performance testing environments and biometric testing data preparation environments Ability to provide a team of around 10 covering the breadth of essential skills Nice to Haves Understanding of current UK Government biometric systems and projects Demonstrable knowledge of the processes and working practices of UK Government fingerprint bureaux and how the work of the bureaux integrate with the wider biometric technical solution Understanding of the business processes in the government departments, immigration or law enforcement organisations where biometrics are used Experience of UK Government specific biometric interface formats and biometric standards Demonstrable knowledge of the legislation and policy requirements in which Home Office specific biometric systems operate No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 5 Proposal Criteria Technical solution for the biometric performance and development environments Technical experience of the key personnel Technical experience in the biometric domain Biometric service integration capability Approach and methodology to biometric performance testing Approach and methodology to propose biometrics solutions specification Transition & exit Cultural Fit Criteria Work as a team with our organisation and other suppliers Transparent and collaborative when making decisions Management and monitoring of behaviours of individuals within teams and interfacing other teams Payment Approach Time and materials Assessment Method Written proposal Case study Work history Reference Presentation Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 50% Cultural fit 20% Price 30% Questions from Suppliers Budget range in the region of £3.5million