Homeland Security wants a database using license plate scanners
February 19, 2014 |
In a classic case of function creep the Washington post reports, in Homeland Security wants national database using license-plate scanners, that the US Department of Homeland Security wants a national database based on data collected from licence plate readers.
The article provides:
The Department of Homeland Security wants a nationwide database with information from license-plate readers that scan every vehicle crossing their paths, according to a solicitation last week from the agency.
Specifically, the department has asked private-sector companies for access to their existing databases that gather such information, according to the request.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement would use the technology to help locate and arrest “absconders and criminal aliens,” reducing surveillance hours and enhancing officer safety, the solicitation said.
DHS spokeswoman Gillian Christensen told Ars Technica that the database “could only be accessed in conjunction with ongoing criminal investigations.”
License-plate readers, which automatically record information on all vehicles that cross their paths instead of just suspect vehicles, are controversial among privacy advocates. The American Civil Liberties Union issued a report last year criticizing the increased use of such devices, saying they collect vast amounts of data on innocent individuals and could be used for abusive tracking and targeting.
“More and more cameras, longer retention periods, and widespread sharing allow law enforcement agents to assemble the individual puzzle pieces of where we have been over time into a single, high-resolution image of our lives,” the ACLU said.
The group has argued that constant monitoring can “chill the exercise of our cherished rights to free speech and association.”
Despite concerns about automatic license-plate readers, the use of such devices has grown in recent years, in large part due to millions of dollars in grants from Homeland Security and the Justice Department to state and local law-enforcement agencies.
A 2011 survey of 70 police agencies by the Police Executive Research Forum found that nearly three-quarters of the departments were using license-plate readers and 85 percent planned to increase their use of the devices.
The Homeland Security plan comes amid increased concerns about the government’s sweeping domestic surveillance programs, which came under heightened scrutiny following leaks last year from former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden.
The solicititation letter (found here) provides:
Note: Please review the attachment for more information.
(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement and attachment constitute the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through FAC 2005-72, effective January 1, 2014. This is an unrestricted acquisition. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 519190.
(ii) Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is seeking sources for access to a National License Plate Recognition (NLPR) database service in accordance with the attached solicitation. The contract will be a firm-fixed unit price Indefinite Delivery-Indefinite Quantity agreement. Quote should include all charges.
(iii) The provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial and 52.212-2, Evaluation — Commercial Items, 52.212-4 Contract terms and conditions applies.(iv) 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes Or Executive Orders–Commercial Items to include clauses 52.203-6,Restrictions on Subcontrator Sales to the Government, with Alternate I; 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns; 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting; 52.222-3, Convict Labor; 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies; 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities; 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity; 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans; 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities; 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligibile Veterans; 52.222-39, Notification of Employee Rights Concerning Payment of Union Dues or Fees; 52.225-13, Restriction on Certain Foreign Purchases; 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Central Contractor Registration.
(v) 52.252-2, Clauses Incorporated by Reference to include, clauses 52.203-12, Limitation on Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions; 52.204-7, Central Contractor Registration with 252.204-7004 ALT; 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest when Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment; 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions–Commercial Items; 52.232-17, Interest; 52.242-13, Bankruptcy; 52.247-34, F.O.B. Destination; 252.204-7003, Control of Government Personnel Work Product; 252.243-7001, Pricing of Contract Modifications.
(vi) 52.204-9, Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel, effective 01 Sep 2007, the Contractor shall comply with agency personal identity verification procedures identified in the contract that implement Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance M-05-24, and Federal Information Processing Standards Publication (FIPS PUB) Number 201. 52.204-8, Annual Representations and Certifications , effective 01 Feb 2009, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) requires the use of Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) in Federal solicitations as part of the proposal submission process. All prospective contractors submitting an offer in response to the subject solicitation must go to https://orca.bpn.gov/ to add or update its ORCA record. All responsive offerors will be considered by the agency.
(vii) The successful contractor will be selected using FAR 13 procedures, resulting in the award of a contract to the responsible offeror whose price, conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government. (See SOW)
(viii) Offers must be valid for a minimum of 30 days (90 days preferred). Electronic quotes will be accepted at William.Quigley@ice.dhs.gov . Fax quotations will not be accepted. All prospective offerors interested in submitting a quote must include company name, mailing address, point of contact, phone number, e-mail address, and business status.
(x) Quotes are due no later than March 14, 2014 10:00 AM EST.