Biometric smart card RFP checklist

Questions and evidence requests for comparing biometric access cards without relying on broad compatibility or security claims.

My Biometric Cards editorial desk·11 min read·Published September 30, 2026

RFP section	Require from the supplier	Reject as insufficient
Product identity	Model, revision, firmware, applications, sensor and secure hardware	A family brochure without ordered configuration
Compatibility	Versioned matrix plus reference sites and pilot support	“Works with existing readers” without a matrix
Security and privacy	Threat model, data flow, certification identifiers, test scope and limitations	“Unhackable”, “zero risk” or logo-only evidence
Lifecycle	Enrollment, reset, revocation, recovery, replacement and offboarding procedures	A demo that omits failure and recovery
Commercial terms	Unit and integration cost, lead time, warranty, support and end-of-life notice	Pilot price without scaled operating cost

No email or form required.

Define the outcome first

State the users, doors, applications, assurance target, privacy constraints, accessibility needs and current cost to be improved. Ask suppliers to answer against the same use cases and scoring model.

Product and architecture

Require exact identifiers for card, firmware, sensor, secure element, biometric algorithm and credential applications. Ask how the product is powered, how matching works, where templates are created and stored and whether any biometric-derived data leaves the card.

Compatibility and integration

Request a versioned matrix for credential technology, readers, controllers, mobile devices, operating systems, browsers, identity providers and management tools. Require suppliers to identify untested combinations and support a buyer-controlled pilot.

Security evidence

Ask for the threat model, independent test reports, false-acceptance and false-rejection results, retry and lockout behavior, tamper protections, certification numbers and exact certificate scope. Security marketing is not a substitute for scoped evidence.

Privacy and governance

Map controller and processor roles, enrollment data flows, retention, reset, logs, cross-border processing and deletion. Ask how accessibility exceptions and alternative authentication are handled without creating a weaker route.

Lifecycle and service

Cover issuance, proofing, enrollment, inventory, update, loss, revocation, temporary access, replacement, offboarding and end-of-life. Require service levels, support ownership, vulnerability notification and a documented product-support horizon.

Commercial comparison

Request pilot, unit, personalization, enrollment, reader, middleware, integration, training, support and replacement costs at defined volumes. Compare total cost over the expected life, not only the card price.

Scoring and conflicts

Publish weighted criteria before reviewing responses. Record evidence quality separately from feature claims. Sponsored visibility or a commercial relationship must never affect technical scoring, verified status or editorial conclusions.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

What is the most important RFP requirement?

Require configuration-specific evidence. Product-family claims and certification logos do not prove the ordered card supports the required environment.

Should RFP scoring include recovery?

Yes. Lost-card recovery, reset, replacement and offboarding are part of both security and operating cost.

Can sponsored listings influence RFP scoring on this site?

No. Commercial visibility must remain separate from technical scoring, verification and editorial recommendations.