Facial Recognition Solution

Trade Agreement: NONE Tendering Procedures: All interested suppliers may submit a bid Competitive Procurement Strategy: Best Overall Proposal Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No Nature of Requirements:

Facial Recognition Solution (FRS)

B7059-180321/A Hradecky, Michael Telephone No. - (613) 408-4180

Purpose

The purpose of this notice is to advise the industry of the Facial Recognition Solution Development, Operations, Maintenance and Support requirement for the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Request for Information (RFI) #1 publication, and the subsequent Engagement activities.

Requirement Description

Facial Recognition, as a biometric, is an important part of the Passport Program’s passport entitlement process and fraud management strategy. Increasing the integrity of the passport issuance process is a key component of Canada’s mandate.

Canada through this RFI process would like to solicit input from industry to better define its requirements on its future plans for FRS and to solicit feedback on the subsequent engagement activities. It is also an opportunity to obtain additional information pertaining to the evolving technology in the Facial Recognition industry.

Canada’s objective of this RFI is to obtain a better understanding of the available technical and operational solutions that could be incorporated into developing a new, upgraded, or enhanced FRS. Canada will use the RFI to decide what procurement strategy will be adopted for the FRS project. Other factors such as project management, integration, accountability, quality control, and risk mitigation will play a role in deciding how a future procurement process may be conducted.

This is projected to be a complex multi-year requirement composed of closely linked components. After gathering and reviewing the industry’s comments and recommendations, there may be a possibility for Canada to initiate a second RFI process.

Request for Information #1

The purpose of this RFI is to inform industry of IRCC's requirement for the Facial Recognition System and to provide industry an opportunity to provide feedback on the requirement and subsequent engagement activities. This feedback will assist Canada initiating a dialogue about the requirements and possible solutions.

This RFI also contains specific questions addressed to the industry to identify future technologies, best practices and innovative business or service models. Detailed written responses will enable Canada to consider industry perspectives in the development of the Facial Recognition System requirement and the eventual Request for Proposals.

Nature of this Request for Information

This is not a bid solicitation. This RFI will not result in the award of any contract. Potential suppliers of any goods or services described in this RFI should not reserve stock or facilities, nor allocate resources, as a result of any information contained in this RFI. Nor will this RFI result in the creation of any source list. Therefore, whether or not any potential supplier responds to this RFI, it will not preclude that supplier from participating in any future procurement. Also, the procurement of any of the goods and services described in this RFI will not necessarily follow this RFI. This RFI is simply intended to solicit feedback from industry with respect to the subject matter described in this RFI.

Response Costs

Canada will not reimburse any organization for expenses incurred in responding to this RFI including, but not limited to, expenses incurred for participating in subsequent Engagement Activities.

Follow-up Activity

This RFI #1 is part of Industry Engagement Phase 1, and will be followed by separate One-on-One Sessions.

Communication with Industry

During the Engagement Activities subsequent to this RFI, the Contracting Authority may communicate with registered Industry Participants through direct email rather than by posting additional notices on the GETS.

Enquiries

All enquiries and other communications related to this RFI and associated Industry Engagement activities shall be directed exclusively to the Public Works and Government Services Canada Contracting Authority. Since this is not a bid solicitation, Canada will not necessarily respond to enquiries in writing or by circulating answers to all respondents; however, respondents with questions regarding this RFI may direct their enquiries to:

Contracting Authority: Michael Hradecky Public Works and Government Services Canada Les Terrasses de la Chaudière 10, rue Wellington Street, 4th Floor Gatineau, Québec

Email Address: michael.hradecky@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca Telephone: 613-408-4180

The use of e-mail to communicate is preferred.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.

Delivery Date: Above-mentioned

The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.