Bid guide
How to bid on Contactless Iris Collection Collaboration Event with the DEPT of Defense
What the agency is buying and why it matters
The Department of Defense (DoD) is seeking industry, academic, and laboratory partners to collaborate on contactless iris collection technology. They want to study the use of Android phones and tablets with built-in cameras and native lighting for iris localization and collection.
This effort aims to prove that contactless iris collection can achieve matchable quality using existing mobile device lighting, which would reduce the size, weight, and power requirements of current biometric collection devices. Successful solutions could lead to non-Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) or FAR-based agreements with USSOCOM.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
The deadline to request attendance for the in-person Collaboration Event (CE) is August 28, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. Only U.S. citizens are eligible to attend the CE.
The Collaboration Event itself is scheduled for September 30, 2026, at SOFWERX. If you are selected to attend, you will receive an invitation around September 9. Later, submissions for the Assessment Event (AE) will be accepted from October 27 through November 27, 2026, with the AE taking place from January 19-21, 2026.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is ideal for technology firms, academic institutions, and national laboratories with expertise in biometrics, mobile device camera technology, image processing, and iris recognition. Specifically, those who can contribute to the study and development of contactless iris collection using Android-based devices and native lighting sources.
The DoD is looking for partners who can help validate the viability of biometric algorithms with a wider population pool and provide insights into camera performance and near-infrared instrument response functions.
How to respond
To access the original source of this opportunity, click the "View original source" link. If the first click takes you to the portal's homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid.
You may need a free account to view any associated documents, though for many bids, this is not required. To request attendance for the Collaboration Event, follow the instructions provided on the portal before the August 28, 2026, 11:59 PM ET deadline.
Tips for preparing a competitive response
If you plan to submit a solution for the later Assessment Event, focus on demonstrating how your technology leverages native mobile device capabilities for iris collection. Highlight any previous work or research related to contactless biometrics, especially with Android platforms.
Clearly articulate how your proposed solution addresses the objective of achieving matchable quality iris collection while reducing size, weight, and power. Be prepared to discuss your methodology for resolution testing, image distortion analysis, and how your approach aligns with relevant standards like ISO/IEC 19794-6 and DoD EBTS 4.1.
See the live bid — deadline, agency details, and how to respond
Dates and requirements can change via addenda; always verify on the bid page and at the original source before responding.
View this bid on BiddingSimpleThis guide was prepared by BiddingSimple from the solicitation’s public posting. It is not official guidance from DEPT of Defense; the original posting controls.