Lot 2.1 - Software applications to support recording of fingerscans meeting specified industry standards

Lot 2.1.1
LSsw-Capture

This application provides the functionality for recording 10 flat fingerprints using a three-step process (right slap, left slap, two thumbs). Images are recorded at 500 dpi with 256 levels of grayscale. They are compressed using 15:1 WSQ compression (compression rates are configurable).  The size of individual fingerscan images and slaps is also configurable. The record produced by the application contains 10 plain fingerprints (flat-slaps) plus the original left and right hand four finger images, plus the two thumb images as individual slaps (14 images in total). The application also provides the functionality for transmitting the record to a central system. It maintains a full audit trail of actions performed by operators or administrators.
Can be integrated into either a web-based or client-based application.

Lot 2.1.2
LSsw-Imaging

This application provides the functionality for segmenting flat fingerprint images recorded using the three-step process to be used in the creation of identity records for UK visa applicants (right slap, left slap, two thumbs). The application tolerates an angle of up to 90 degrees from straight position (anti-clockwise or clockwise slant) for images of slaps with no effect on the quality of fingerscans. The software has the capability to distinguish between the right and left hand  and uses this capability to ensure that images were recorded in the correct sequence. It also checks the number of fingers present against operator-supplied information on missing fingers. It then uses a set of Cogent-developed algorithms to perform a wide array of quality checks . This information is used to rate the quality of each fingerprint image using Cogent's Image Quality Scale (IQS). This quality ranking system was evaluated by NIST in a study documented in NISTIR 7710. The authors concluded that the system "is a good rank statistic for all the algorithms tested for all the datasets used."
Can be integrated into either a web-based or client-based application.

Lot 2.2 - Software applications to support recording of facial photographs meeting specified industry standards.

Lot 2.2.1
LSsw-Face

This application provides the functionality for recording a full frontal facial image during the creation of a visa applicant's identity record. The application performs quality control checks while facial images are being recorded using LSsw-FACE to ensure that the image conforms to ISO 19794-5/ICAO requirements and best practices for digital facial portraits.  
Can be integrated into either a web-based or client-based application.

Lot 2.3 - Software applications to support fingerscan verification request transmission.

Lot 2.3.1
LSsw-Verify

This application provides the functionality for recording a single slap fingerscan of an applicants four fingers, specifying which hand the image is recorded from. After the image is segmented and quality checked by the LSsw-Imaging application (Line item 2.1.2), the application transmits a record containing for four segmented individual fingerscans to the Visa management system for 1:1 verification.
Can be integrated into either a web-based or client-based application.

Lot 2.3.2
LSsw-1:1 Match

Optional software for 1:1 matching that includes algorithms for using 3rd level detail in matching.
Can be integrated into either a web-based or client-based application.

Lot 2.4 - Software applications (e.g.  development kit) to allow the integration of Lots 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 into existing PC applications.

2.4.1
LSsw-Exif

This application is used to integrate any/all of the applications described above into PC applications in the Windows (2000 or XP environment. It is compatible with SQL server 2000  v.6.5, which will be used on the Ukvisas central system, and with Visual Basic 6.0 and .NET. It uses standard Firewire or USB interfaces to facilitate "plug and play" integration with hardware components including livescan devices designed for the recording of flat fingerprint images, cameras for recording facial images, and barcode scanners.
Can be integrated into either a web-based or client-based application.

Lot 2.4.4
LSsw-Bio Logon

Security application to improve system security by providing three levels of access control at log on (user name, password, and biometric verification using the operator's fingerprint).
Can be integrated into either a web-based or client-based application.

Lot 2.5 - Standalone software applications.  (Ideally this will include functionality for fingerscans, photographs and verification requests; any customisation required to meet the requirements will be done using the Associated Consultancy Support Catalogue Items). 

Lot 2.5.1
CLS1-Slap Capture

This is an integrated client-based application that operates under Windows 2000 or Windows XP. It provides all of the functional capabilities required to create Ukvisa records containing applicant biographic data, 10 flat fingerprints recorded using a 4-4-2 enrolment process and a frontal digital facial image that conforms to ICAO standards. It also incorporates security features to protect records while temporarily stored on the livescan workstation and the functionality to encrypt and security transmit transmit records to the Authority's central system. Upon receiving confirmation that the central system has received a record, it deletes the record from the livescan.

Lot 2.5.2
WebCheck

This is an integrated web-based application that allows operators to create UKvisa applicant records using a standard Web browser (Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6.0 or higher). Like the application described above,  it provides all of the functional capabilities required to create Ukvisa records containing applicant biographic data, 10 flat fingerprints recorded using a 4-4-2 enrolment process and a frontal digital facial image that conforms to ICAO standards. It also incorporates security features to protect records while temporarily stored on the livescan workstation and the functionality to encrypt and security transmit transmit records to the Authority's central system. Upon receiving confirmation that the central system has received a record, it deletes the record from the livescan.

Lot 2.5.3
CLS1-Post

This is an integrated client-based application that operates under Windows 2000 or Windows XP. It provides all of the functional capabilities required to create UKvisa records containing applicant biographic data, 10 flat fingerprints recorded using a 4-4-2 enrolment process and a frontal digital facial image that conforms to ICAO standards. It also incorporates smart card based security features based on the PKI standards to protect XML based data records.

The CLS1-Post software module is designed for use at Diplomatic Posts.  It can be integrated into the Proviso Visual Basic 6 client program, and is invoked directly by the Proviso client program.  Signed XML Data is exchanged between the Proviso client application and the Cogent software module.

Lot 2.5.4
CLS1-Mobile

This is an integrated client-based application that operates under Windows 2000 or Windows XP. It provides all of the functional capabilities required to create UKvisa records containing applicant biographic data, 10 flat fingerprints recorded using a 4-4-2 enrolment process and a frontal digital facial image that conforms to ICAO standards. It also incorporates smart card based security features based on the PKI standards to protect XML based data records

The CLS1-Mobile module performs the collection of all the required data for visa applications in a mobile situation. The program is customized to meet the UKvisas requirements for application recording, transmission, and security. The program sends the completed visa application packages to the transaction server via Software AG – Entire X interface.  The application packages are digitally signed using smart card based PKI algorithms.  In addition, the program provides integrated credential management and verification services using Windows logon service .

For the mobile enrolment solution, there is no network connection available when the transaction is completed. The Cogent Queue Server will keep checking the connection. After the laptop is connected to the UKvisas Biometric System network, the connection becomes available, and the transaction can be sent. 

Lot 2.5.5
CLS1-CP

This is an integrated client-based application that operates under Windows 2000 or Windows XP. It provides all of the functional capabilities required to create UKvisa records containing applicant biographic data, 10 flat fingerprints recorded using a 4-4-2 enrolment process and a frontal digital facial image that conforms to ICAO standards. It also incorporates smart card based security features based on the PKI standards to protect XML based data records

The CLS1-CP module performs the collection of all the required data for visa applications in a Commercial Partner environment. The program is customized to meet the UKvisas requirements for application recording, transmission, and security. The program sends the completed visa application packages to the transaction server via Software AG – Entire X interface.  The application packages are digitally signed using smart card based PKI algorithms.  In addition, the program provides integrated credential management and verification services using Windows logon service .

For the Commercial Partner enrolment solution, there is no network connection available when the transaction is completed. The Cogent Queue Server will keep checking the connection. After the laptop is connected to the UKvisas Biometric System network, the connection becomes available, and the transaction can be sent.