NIST Latent Fingerprint Ground Truth Determination Support Services
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has issued a Notice of Intent to Sole Source for Latent Fingerprint Ground Truth Determination Support Services. NIST intends to negotiate with Schwarz Forensic Enterprises, INC. (SFE), citing their unique qualifications and possession of critical data. Interested parties must respond by May 29, 2026.
Scope of Work
This requirement supports NIST's Evaluation of Latent Friction Ridge Technology (ELFT) by providing accurate measurements of automated identification algorithm error rates. The primary objective is to determine the ground truth source finger position for 3,000 latent impression images. This work is crucial for maintaining the integrity and sequestration of friction ridge imagery acquired during the IARPA Nail-to-Nail (N2N) Challenge.
Basis for Sole Source
Schwarz Forensic Enterprises, INC. (SFE) is identified as the sole source due to their unique position as the original certified latent print examiners (CLPE) and human subjects protection research experts involved in the initial data collection for the N2N Challenge. SFE is the only entity possessing the raw context and Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved data necessary to verify source determinations without compromising the sequestered nature of the ELFT evaluation data. Introducing a new contractor would risk the integrity of the ELFT test corpus. SFE is a small business under the specified NAICS code.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Notice of Intent to Sole Source
- NAICS: 541990 - All Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (Small Business Size Standard: $19.5 million)
- Intended Contractor: Schwarz Forensic Enterprises, INC.
- Response Due: May 29, 2026, 3:00 PM ET
- Published: May 13, 2026
Additional Notes
This notice is not a request for competitive quotations, and no solicitation package will be issued. However, responses received by the due date will be considered by the Government solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Interested parties believing they can satisfy the requirements must clearly and unambiguously identify their capability in writing. Questions and responses must be submitted via email to Hing Pan Wong at hnw6@nist.gov.