State Department Closer to Biometric Security Program for Overseas Operations

The State Department has awarded a roughly $12 million contract for implementing a system that could collect, search and track pieces of individuals' biometric data, including facial, iris and fingerprint scans.

The program is managed by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, and the awardee, the Manassas, Virginia-based InCadence Strategic Solutions, is tasked with supporting the chief technology officer for diplomatic security.

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The identity assurance program, called the Tactical High-Threat Operational Response, or THOR, is designed to replace a previous State Department biometric system operated by the Pentagon. That program ended in 2014, and the new THOR project requires both hardware and software components, and the contractor would provide technical support during its implementation.

The system could be used to screen and vet local employees, and help with programs that disseminate unclassified information, a request for information from October said. 

Though it's meant to be a standalone system that can independently collect, identify, export and import data, THOR would need to be compatible with other agencies' identity assurance programs. It would also need to allow for regular updates and be functional on a Windows 7 desktop, smartphones, tablets and other devices.

The contract has a 1-year base, and four subsequent option years, according to the FedBizOpps posting.