Vangent to create biometric ID system for Mexico

Vangent Inc. will build a biometric identification system for the Mexican government under a three-year contract that could be worth as much as $68 million.

The prime contract award from the Mexican Social Security Institute — Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social — calls for Vangent to design, build and operate a full biometric identification management system.

IMSS is one of the largest social security agencies in Latin America. It provides economic, health care and social security services to more than 40 million privately employed workers, allowance recipients and students in Mexico, Vangent officials said.

Under the terms of the contract, Vangent will provide ID management services to more than 20 million beneficiaries at 700 enrollment centers nationwide. The company will manage the entire beneficiary enrollment process, which includes the distribution of ID cards equipped with digitized signatures, photographs, iris scans and fingerprints.

The cards will be used to authenticate beneficiaries when they receive services, ensuring the legitimacy of claims systemwide, company officials said.

With the new contract, Vangent will become Mexico’s largest provider of ID enrollment and management services. Major U.S. customers include the Education Department’s Federal Student Aid program, the Labor Department and the Office of Personnel Management.

Vangent, of Arlington, Va., ranks No. 57 on Washington Technology’s 2008 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.