BearingPoint to update GSA smart-card guidelines

BearingPoint Inc., McLean, Va., won a General Services Administration contract to update the agency's handbook for smart-card policy and guidelines. The handbook is a reference for agencies implementing smart-card projects.

"There have been significant advancements in smart card and related technologies since the handbook's initial release, which was almost three years ago," said Michael Palmer, BearingPoint's managing director and head of the company's secure access and identity management team. The contract is worth about $170,000 over six months.

For the project, BearingPoint will interview smart-card experts and end users at various government agencies, industry organizations and academic institutions. The company will work with the nonprofit Smart Card Alliance.

The handbook should be out in 2004.