Lockheed wins proof-of-contract to implement biometric identification system at Health and Human Services
The BioUnique Identity Management System will enroll 1,000 employees at four locations; fully encrypted system relies on Automatic Fingerprint Identification System developed for the FBI; HHS moves toward HSPD-12 compliance
The proof is in the pudding, as they say, but the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) proof-of-concept contract to implement biometric identification cards at four sites is to go to Bethesda, Maryland-based Lockheed Martin and its BioUnique Identity Management System, the department announced yesterday. The contract is a significant first step in the agency’s compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12), a mandate which requires all federal workers and contractors to use a standard biometric identification card for access to government buildings and resources.
Lockheed’s technology-neutral BioUnique system is based on the Automatic Fingerprint Identification System developed by the company for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). It utilizes a mobile, desktop or portable laptop fully encrypted enrollment system, as well as a card management system, public key infrastructure, and a card production system. Among its many strengths, the BioUnique system can scan and validate employment eligibility documents, capture FBI-compliant fingerprints, and automatically screen for print quality.
Approximately 1,000 HHS employees will be enrolled under the new system. The dollar value of the contract was not announced.
-read more in this Washington Technology report; read more about the BioUnique system at the Lockheed website
