RFT for the provision of hardware and related services for the personalisation of Australian Travel Documents (Passports)

DFAT requires the Services of a suitably qualified and professional Contractor to provide Hardware and Related Services for the Personalisation of Australian Travel Documents (“Passports”).The Australian Passport Office (APO) is responsible for the provision of Passports to eligible Australian citizens.

Personalisation involves completing the Passport booklet with the personal details of the applicant including printing these details on the paper data page, heat seal roll laminating the data page and writing the same information to an electronic chip embedded in the Passport.

Hardware (and the necessary Software) is required that can perform the Passport printing function and ideally integrate one or both of the laminating and chip writing functions along with any maintenance and support services that may be required.

The APO plans to make a major investment in its overall Passport systems and infrastructure over the next three to five years.The requirement described in this RFT to replace Personalisation Hardware is seen as an interim solution to bridge the retirement of the current equipment and the planned major upgrade.

Execution of contract and commencement of services is planned for mid march 2009.