Postal Service plans HSPD-12 buy

The U.S. Postal Service plans to prequalify vendors to support a program management office that will oversee the deployment of secure identification cards across the agency.

USPS is looking for vendors that are familiar with all aspects of the personal identity verification card process. Under Homeland Security Directive-12 (HSPD-12), all agencies must have secure, interoperable card systems in place by Oct 27.

A presolicitation notice released June 1 includes an extensive questionnaire that gauges vendors’ technical ability, experience and proven track record, scope of work, and knowledge of HSPD-12.

The agency is approaching HSPD-12 in three phases. First, it will issue PIV cards to 30,000 USPS employees and test physical access readers at five locations. Second, USPS will evaluate physical access control technologies and decide on a standard mode of access. Finally, USPS will test logical access control systems and establish an overarching standard of card access for the agency’s employees.

The program management office, made up of agency and vendor employees, will be in charge of overseeing and coordinating projects across all three phases. The office also will hire a systems integrator to take the lead on developing and fielding the HSPD-12 solution.