Appendix 2 - Section C Performance Work Statement Changes Accepted Amendment 3

U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Consular Systems and Technology

Next Generation Passport Personalization Printers

November 2023

Descriptions/Specifications/Work Statement

PURPOSE OF PROCUREMENT

The U.S. Department of State (DOS or State Department) Consular Affairs (CA) has personalized U.S. passport books since 1998 using color thermal ink-transfer printers. Currently, DOS personalizes electronic passports (e-passports) on passport book printers and has customized Next Generation (NextGen) Passport Personalization Printers as the new solution for printing passport books replacing the existing legacy passport book printers at all CA passport locations and labs. The specialized NextGen Passport Personalization Printers have been uniquely customized to the Department’s requirements of hardware, printer configuration, enhanced security features, steganography software, and software for image enhancement/ personalized masking enhancements for the new passport books.

To enhance security, durability, and quality of future passport books, it is necessary for DOS to continue to provide and support systems with the NextGen Passport Personalization Printers. Personalization Printers support automated laser engraving on a polycarbonate data page, color printing on the endorsement page, embedded chip personalization consistent with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Document 9303 (Machine Readable Travel Documents) for travel documents, and inline automated quality inspection. Specialized Personalization Printer models will continue to include both High-Capacity and Low-Capacity Passport Personalization Printers with the option to acquire additional printers for the CA Enterprise Operations.

The contractor shall provide support for laser engraving Personalization Printers at Domestic Passport Sites, of which the Office of Consular Systems and Technology (CA/CST) and Passport Services Directorate of the Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA/PPT) may designate additional sites to meet public issuance demand during the contract period. The contractor shall provide printers that integrate into existing DOS technology environments based on an Interface Control Document (ICD). All Personalization Printers shall incorporate full compatibility with the ICD.

BACKGROUND

The mission of the Department is to shape and sustain a peaceful, prosperous, just, and democratic world and foster conditions for stability and progress for the benefit of the American people and people everywhere. The Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA) is charged with protecting and assisting United States (U.S.) citizens abroad, issuing passports to U.S. citizens, and issuing immigrant and non-immigrant visas to foreign nationals according to the laws of the U.S. Government.