00:00Trinidad and Tobago is preparing to transition from the traditional machine-readable passports
00:06to a new electronic passport system commonly known as e-passport.
00:11The Ministry of Homeland Security has issued an expression of interest
00:14inviting qualified private and public sector entities to submit proposals
00:19to upgrade the immigration division's passport issuing and control system.
00:24According to the ministry, the project is intended to bring Trinidad and Tobago
00:28in line with the latest standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization
00:33while strengthening national security and improving the efficiency of passport services.
00:39The new e-passport system is expected to include enhanced security features,
00:44facial recognition, technology and integration with the country's existing integrated border management system.
00:52Government is also requiring the successful company to provide all hardware and software
00:57needed for a fully functional electronic passport issuing and control system
01:02including servers, connectivity equipment and front-end user systems.
01:07The scope of the project covers several stages of passport processing
01:10including reception, scanning, data entry, supervisory review, printing, quality assurance,
01:16online application verification and final issuance.
01:20A fully functional online passport application platform with electronic payment processing
01:26will also have to be developed and commissioned.
01:29As part of the five-year contract, the successful entity will be required to supply
01:34750,000 association-compliant e-passport booklets based on the operational needs of the immigration division.
01:44The ministry is also requesting specimen passports, 400 colored brochures explaining the security features
01:51of the new passport and a minimum of 70 days of programming, customization and system upgrade services.
01:58Additional requirements include disaster recovery systems, testing and training facilities,
02:05maintenance and support services for five years, warranties for all equipment and training for immigration division staff.
02:12Interested companies must be ISO 9001 certified and provide evidence of financial capability,
02:20tax compliance and previous experience handling similar projects.
02:24Submissions must be sent electronically to the Ministry of Homeland Security by June 19 at 2 p.m.
02:31while requests for clarification must be submitted by June 5.
02:35Government says companies shortlisted through its expression of interest process
02:39will be later invited to participate in the formal request for proposal stage
02:44as the country moves toward implementing a modernized and more secure passport system.
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