NIST Small Business Innovation Research Program Requests Proposal for Web Services Enabled USB Fingerprint Device - 16th January, 2012

Company referenced in this item: IEEE

NIST released the solicitation for its Small Business Innovation Research program, and within is contained an RFP for a web services enabled fingerprint sensor.

Here is the full solicitation: https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=4f865ee6db0b106fbb1fee7258047507&tab=core&tabmode=list&=

Here is the pertinent excerpt from the solicitation: 

9.01.04.77-TT WS-BiometricDevices (WS-BD) Conformant Handheld Fingerprint Sensor

The Internet is a system that most every computer and mobile device understands. The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Special Publication 500-288 is a Specification for WS-BiometricDevices (WS-BD), which brings the Internet to biometric acquisition devices via web services. WS-BD offers a RESTful web service-based framework for communicating and controlling the operation of a biometric acquisition device. Currently, no biometric acquisition device exists which has web-enabled communication and control based on a publicly available specification.

NIST seeks innovative proposals for the design and development of a small form-factor, tamper-resistant, and handheld fingerprint (at minimum) sensor with a self-contained battery/power source, and an integrated, wirelessly available (IEEE 802.11) WS-BD service. Additionally, the device must include a physical connection for customization of the wireless controls and service. The physical connection can be USB or other; if “other” is chosen, approval of connection type by NIST is required.

The Specification for WS-BiometricDevices (WS-BD) and NIST’s reference implementation was developed at NIST by employees of the Federal Government in the course of their official duties. Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this software is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
Should the proposal be awarded, the applicant should expect to collaborate with NIST to further refine the phases to better reflect the particular activity proposed.

The goal of this project is to have a fully functional, handheld device, capable of biometric acquisition, and controlled through web services as specified in NIST Special Publication 500-288.

Phase 1 Activities and Deliverables:

• Kickoff Meeting within one (1) month of award
• Bimonthly status reports (reports may be followed by discussion)
• Technical specifications of the device
• Engineering drawings of the device (include dimensions and measurements)
• Partially implemented software stack targeting the platform which will be used in the device (must provide evidence of basic functionality).

Phase 2 Activities and Deliverables:

• Kickoff meeting within one (1) month of award
• Bimonthly status reports (reports may be followed by discussion)
• WS-BD Device with integrated single fingerprint sensor
• It is encouraged that a second device be developed incorporating a modality (or modalities) from the list below:
  • Face
  • Slap Fingerprint (must not be on the same device as the single fingerprint sensor)
  • Iris

NIST will be available to be contacted for consultation, input, and discussion.

Reference: NIST Special Publication 500-288 – Specification for WS-BiometricDevices (WS-BD): 
http://www.nist.gov/itl/iad/ig/bws.cfm
http://www.nist.gov/itl/iad/ig/upload/NIST-SP-500-288-Rev-0-Draft-4.pdf

Contact:
Primary: Micole A. Cheatham, micole.cheatham@nist.gov, Phone: 3019758335
Secondary: Cheryl Rice, Contracting Officer, cheryl.rice@nist.gov, Phone: 3019753696