Parsons wins US Coast Guard biometric system contract under national procurement

Parsons Corporation, a U.S.-based engineering and technology firm, has been awarded an indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract to modernise the U.S. Coast Guard’s (USCG) Biometrics at Sea System (BASS 2.0). The contract spans five years and represents a significant national procurement engagement within federal maritime security operations.

The BASS 2.0 platform is designed to enhance identity verification, threat recognition, and operational security by connecting biometric data—such as fingerprints and facial recognition—to national and international databases. Under the IDIQ contract, Parsons will provide personnel, technical expertise, and deploy both software and hardware to USCG units across the country.

Key components of the platform include the JavelinXL devices and the Ares Gateway. JavelinXL units are rugged, Android-based handhelds capable of multi-modal biometric capture, including four-finger prints, dual-iris scans, facial imagery, and voice recognition. These devices are integrated with Parsons’ Ares mobile application, allowing real-time data collection and analysis in dynamic maritime environments.

Parsons’ IDIQ contract enables flexible deployment, allowing the Coast Guard to access personnel and technology solutions on demand to meet operational requirements. The contract also ensures scalability for expanding maritime security needs, providing a national procurement framework that supports continuity and rapid response.

Through the deployment of JavelinXL kits and the Ares Gateway, Parsons will deliver a modular and efficient approach to data collection and integration, streamlining the operational workflows of Coast Guard units. The modernization effort will improve mission-critical processes, from identity verification during boarding operations to threat detection in sensitive maritime zones.

Access the full story to see how Parsons is transforming biometric operations through federal procurement.