Identity Management

Background

Identity management, in the broadest definition, is the ability to positively identify a person and his or her level of authorized access to facilities and systems.

Identity management is frequently used in reference to Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) requiring a standard interoperable system for identity management. HSPD-12 is the cornerstone for ensuring employee and contractor identity verification for physical and electronic access to government systems and facilities.

The task of issuing, verifying and managing smart cards and certificates is often done by a contractor. To secure interoperable products and services and avoid redundant costs from each federal agency creating a separate infrastructure, GSA has been designated as the lead agency for providing authentication services to federal agencies. The Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 201 Evaluation Program has produced an evaluation program for vendors to submit products or service for evaluation and to be added to the Approved Products List. HSPD-12 also mandates that agencies must continue to expand use of the advanced capabilities of the cards after the initial timetable.

Acquiring an Identity Management Solution

GSA Multiple Award Schedules allow customers flexibility to mix-and-match Schedules to provide comprehensive integrated security solutions. Many vendors hold several Schedule contracts, allowing them to provide quotes for complex cross-Schedule procurements. Searching GSA eLibrary by Special Item Numbers (SINs) will return a list of vendors who can provide these solutions.

When there are no single vendor solutions, GSA Schedule Contractor Team Arrangements (CTAs) allow customer agencies to order a solution rather than making separate buys from various contractors. A CTA allows the contractor to meet the government agency’s needs by providing a total solution that combines the supplies and/or services from the team members' separate GSA Schedule contracts. A list of the Schedule contracts relevant to identity management are identified below.

Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) eliminate contracting and open market costs such as the search for sources, development of technical documents and solicitations, and evaluation of offers. A BPA may further decrease costs, reduce paperwork, and save time by eliminating the need for repetitive, individual purchases from Schedule contracts or Contractor Teams.

GSA MAS 36 OFFICE, IMAGING AND DOCUMENT SOLUTION

GSA MAS 520 FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS SOLUTIONS (FABS)

GSA MAS 58 I PROFESSIONAL AUDIO/VIDEO, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, AND SECURITY SOLUTIONS

GSA MAS 66 SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES

GSA MAS 70 GENERAL PURPOSE COMMERCIAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT, SOFTWARE, AND SERVICES

GSA MAS 84 TOTAL SOLUTIONS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, SECURITY, FACILITIES MANAGEMENT, FIRE, RESCUE, CLOTHING, MARINE CRAFT AND EMERGENCY/DISASTER RESPONSE

GSA MAS 738X HUMAN RESOURCES & EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY SERVICES

GSA MAS 874 V LOGISTICS WORLDWIDE (LOGWORLD)

GSA operates the HSPD-12 Managed Service Office (MSO) that is currently serving 67 agencies and managing over 800,000 identity accounts. The MSO enables agencies to receive support meeting the FIPS credentialing standards. The MSO provides fee-based assisted services for implementing HSPD-12. For information, go to USAccess.

GSA acquisition options include Assisted Acquisition Services, an organization within GSA that crafts customized expert solution to information security issues. Assisted Acquisition Services offers fee-based scalable support that brings technical, contracting and project management resources to bear to provide customizable levels of assistance.