Interior to issue smart card identity credentials

FedBizOpps HSPD 12 smart card solicitation

The Interior Department’s National Business Center is establishing accredited procedures for issuing smart card identity credentials for itself and other federal agencies to use when the cards become mandatory in October 2006.

According to an Oct. 18 solicitation notice, the Office of Management and Budget has authorized Interior’s business center to issue the cards. The department is seeking bids for smart cards and related services that will comply with federal security and interoperability standards. Smart cards based on those standards will be required for agencies’ compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12.

The initial compliance deadline is Oct. 27. By that date, federal agencies must have directive-compliant procedures for issuing computer-readable identity credentials to federal employees and contractors.

Agencies’ mandatory deadline for issuing identity credentials that can be used for secure, authorized access to most federal facilities and information systems is still a year away.