Deadline arrives for digital ID scheme questions
Today is the deadline to submit questions to the Government for companies interested in delivering its national digital identity system.
A request for supplier qualifications was issued at the start of the month, days after Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, told MPs that exploratory work had begun to determine if a digital identity framework could provide “meaningful benefits” for the island.
Little has been revealed yet about the kind of scheme planned, but the economy ministry said in written answers this week to The Royal Gazette that “different technologies may be considered as part of the assessment of available solutions”.
The ministry added: “All would require careful consideration of necessity, proportionality, privacy, security, accessibility, data retention and applicable legal requirements.
“The inclusion of a particular credential functionality in a supplier’s offering would not, by itself, mean that the Government has decided to use it.”
The RSFQ said the Government intended to procure a digital identity platform through a single-provider public-private partnership model.
It advised respondents to examine all of the documents included in the invitation and ask questions or seek extra information by today from the technical officer listed. The deadline for submissions is 10am on November 27.
The ministry’s response said the RSFQ was “intended to improve the Government’s understanding of the relevant technologies, safeguards, legal requirements, operating arrangements and commercial models”.
It said: “The Government is seeking to understand the identity-proofing capabilities available in the market, including the different ways in which identity documents and personal information may be verified.
“No decision has been made on the particular identity-proofing method, level of assurance or combination of technologies that may be required.
“Any future approach would need to be appropriate for Bermuda, proportionate to the service being accessed and capable of accommodating people who may not have access to particular documents, devices or technologies.”
The ministry added that the digital ID scheme would be voluntary and aimed at individuals wanting an “additional, secure and convenient way to access” government, healthcare and financial services.
Respondents to the RSFQ will be measured on various criteria, with a total possible score of 100. Those not meeting a minimum threshold for three specific criteria will be excluded.
The categories are weighted thus: relevant experience and capability (25 per cent, with a minimum threshold of 15), technical and architectural solution (10 per cent, minimum threshold 6), security, privacy and fraud management (10 per cent, minimum threshold 6), local benefits (30 per cent), delivery approach and implementation plan (10 per cent), stakeholder engagement, adoption and reporting (10 per cent), and legal and regulatory readiness (5 per cent).
The ministry said the 30 per cent weighting for local benefits was not unique to the procurement and was “intended to help the Government understand the ownership and management structure of bidding organisations, the opportunities they may create for Bermudians and how they propose to engage with specified businesses”.
It added: “Whether a supplier chooses to participate is ultimately a commercial decision for that supplier.
“However, the local benefits weighting is intended to encourage meaningful economic participation in Bermuda and maximise the value delivered through public procurement.
“It is not designed to exclude or discourage qualified international providers from responding and the Government welcomes submissions from organisations with relevant experience and expertise.”
• To read the full Q&A, see Related Media
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