ePassport Solution

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

ePassport Solution

B7021-170031/A
Hradecky, Michael
Telephone No. - (819) 420-2212
Fax No. - (819) 997-8303 


Purpose

The purpose of this notice is to advise the industry of the ePassport Solution requirement for the Passport Program of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), the Request for Information (RFI) #1 publication, and the subsequent Engagement activities.

Requirement Description

Canada would like to enhance the security features of the ePassport book, and is initiating the procurement process to be able to design and be ready to print new secure passport books in approximately five years. The delivery of a secure ePassport that will reduce the risk of tampering and identity fraud is a key component of Canada’s mandate. By having stronger features to support identity and other checks, secure ePassports reduce the risk of other countries putting visa requirements on travelers. Canada is therefore exploring the possibility of moving to an all pigment based inkjet personalization process, UV curable inkjet printing or a laser engraved polycarbonate data page. Canada will not explore dye diffusion thermal transfer, dye sublimation, toner or other personalization technologies.

This is projected to be a complex multi-yearrequirement 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. 

Canada has identified the following as components required for the production of the next generation ePassport:

- Passport books incorporating a microchip and antenna array;
- PKI environment (Certificate Authority, Document Signer, Links to International Civil Aviation - Organization Public Key Directory); 
- Personalization of passport books by one of the processes described above;
- Encoding Solution;
- Interfaces between the different components of the solution;
- Quality Assurance / Quality Control equipment and/or services; and
- Passportbook design.

Canada is seeking a contractor to provide the full suite of products, services and technical support required to retrieve passport applicant information from the Passport Program’s internal passport issuance system and personalize both the ePassport book and the embedded chip.  This includes the provision of blank travel documents, printers, consumables, ePassport readers, a PKI solution, an ePassport personalization system and other associated products and services.  

Request for Information #1

The purpose of this RFI is to inform industry of CIC's requirement for the ePassport Solution 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 writtenresponses will enable Canada to consider industry perspectives in the development of the ePassport Solution requirement and the eventual RFP.

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
Place du Portage III, 12C1 11 Laurier Street Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0S5

Email Address: michael.hradecky@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca
Telephone: 819-420-2212
Facsimile: 819-934-1235


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.