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Table 10: Status Report on Major Crown Projects

Real Time Identification (RTID)

1. Overview

Real Time Identification (RTID) is a re-engineering of systems and processes used for fingerprint identification, civil clearances and criminal records maintenance. It will transform the current paper-based workflow to an electronic workflow, enabling the “real time” identification of fingerprints submitted electronically.

Fingerprints are submitted by police agencies to support the creation of a criminal record, or to search the criminal record repository during a criminal investigation or civil security screening. RTID will streamline these services, facilitate information sharing internationally, and permit an improved tracking of criminals by condensing identification turnaround times from weeks and months to hours and days.

Funding for the RTID Project was announced on April 20, 2004, under the National Security Policy. Between 2001 and 2004 significant work had already been undertaken by a small project team within the RCMP to define RTID requirements and prepare statements of work in anticipation of this announcement.

Following the announcement, a Project Charter was developed and a formal Project Office established under the sponsorship of Information and Identification Services of National Police Services (NPS). The Chief Information Officer (CIO) was appointed Project Leader, responsible for achieving the technology improvements associated with the project. The Project Director reports to the CIO.

The project will be delivered in two major Phases. Phase 1 will modernize the civil clearance process, replace the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) and implement a new transaction manager, the NPS National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Server, permitting agencies to submit their fingerprint information electronically. Phase 1 is being delivered in different releases in 2007 and early 2008.

Phase 2 will modernize the processes related to the management and update of the criminal records. Phase 2 is a large re-engineering effort and the replacement of antiquated legacy systems in support of the re-engineering effort. Delivery of Phase 2 will start in 2009 and completed by Summer 2010.

2. Lead and Participating Departments

The RCMP is the lead department on RTID. Various levels of governance will ensure the Project is successful and meets the needs of all stakeholders.

The Senior Project Advisory Committee is a senior level committee of RCMP, Public Safety Canada (PS) and Central Agency officials that advises the Project Leader on all aspects of the project as it relates to government-wide policies, strategic direction and procurement, including the review of the scope through the definition stage, and the procurement strategy for the project.

An RTID Project Steering Committee provides ongoing direction to the project, and includes representatives of key Federal Government departments and Central Agencies. Oversight of RTID is also linked to existing PS committees, such as the PS Portfolio Interoperability Committee, thus ensuring the project’s horizontal interests and planned contribution to overall public safety are fully realized.

RTID is a major interoperability initiative of interest to all agencies within the PS portfolio. Its progress and success in contributing to long-term interoperability will be monitored by the Heads of Agency Steering Committee through the Portfolio Interoperability Committee.

RTID will be used across Canada and in all jurisdiction levels. Stakeholder involvement is required to ensure that the system is useful for all and does not hinder or contravene regulations for any. This involvement is ensured through the NPS Advisory Council and Technical Consultative working groups.

3. Prime Contractors / Major Sub-Contractors

The RCMP is using several procurement vehicles for the RTID Project:

1. Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) Vendor: RTID involves the replacement of the existing AFIS with modern AFIS technology. The AFIS vendor, COGENT Systems, selected via a competitive process, is responsible for the delivery, configuration and implementation of a modern AFIS commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) product.
2. Development work that aligns with the RCMP corporate technical architecture is being carried out in-house. The NPS NIST Server, the heart of RTID, is being developed by a team of RCMP resources and contractors. To supplement the skills of internal resources, or to backfill resources seconded to the project, RTID uses internal standing offer vehicles to meet any outstanding demand for project management support, systems architecture and engineering support, systems design, systems development, testing, training and implementation. The major contractors are: Veritaaq; NRNS; Fujitsu; and TPG.
3. Systems Integration Company: a component of Phase 2 will be contracted out on a fixed price basis to ensure the successful delivery of the multiple components that make up that phase. A Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued and proposals were submitted late September 2007. Contract award is anticipated by January 2008.

4. Major Milestones

Accomplishments

• Funding for RTID was announced on April 20, 2004 under the National Security Policy.
• The current procurement approach was approved by the Senior Project Advisory Committee in November 2004.
• On December 13, 2004, the RCMP received Treasury Board approval of its RTID procurement strategy and Preliminary Project Approval at an indicative estimate of $129.8 million to complete development of RTID over 5 years. The source of funds was identified as follows: $99.8 million from Canada’s National Security Policy and $30 million from RCMP funding.
• A Request for Proposal for the AFIS Vendor was issued in January 2005. A contract was awarded to COGENT Systems on October 13, 2005 and work started November 1, 2005.
• On October 3rd 2005, Effective Project Approval for Phase 1 was awarded by Treasury Board to the RTID project.
• In November 2006, the RTID Project successfully implemented its first civil release (R0.5) to bring on two civil contributors.
• In March 2007, the RTID Project successfully implemented a subsequent release (R1.0) providing more functionality to the civil fingerprint process.
• On June 14, 2007, Effective Project Approval for Phase 2 was awarded by Treasury Board to the RTID project.
• RFP’s for Phase 2 were published in June 2007.
• Phase 2 RFP bids review was completed in November 2007.

To be delivered:

• Contract award for Phase 2 is planned for January 2008.
• Complete delivery of Phase 1 is planned for 2008 to decommission the old AFIS 2000.
• Delivery of Phase 2 will start in 2009, to be completed in 2010.
• Project closure is planned for Fall 2010.

5. Progress Report and Explanation of Variances

Phase 1 work has been split into multiple releases to make the implementation of functionality more successful. The multiple release schedules are now tracking for complete delivery by June 2008. Phase 2 re-engineering started in January 2006, as planned, and completed in the Spring 2007. The RFP has been prepared and published in June 2007, with a contract award expected in January 2008.

6. Industrial Benefits

There is no industrial benefits program for the Real Time Identification Project.

Note: These projects are subject to review given the work currently on the Investment Plan Initiative.

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