TWIC Pilot Test
Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC™)
- Click here for the current Broad Agency Announcement for TWIC Reader Pilot Test details.
- Click here for TWIC Technical Advisory TA-208-TWIC001-V1.0 pertaining to Reader Functionality Augmentation. (pdf, 43kb)
- Click here for the current Initial Capability Evaluation (ICE) List for TWIC Readers. This list is updated on a regular basis as further rounds of evaluations are conducted. (pdf, 87kb)
- Click here for the recently updated frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the TWIC Pilot Program.
- Click here to read the TWIC Pilot Test Concept of Operations approved on February 19, 2009. (pdf, 148kb)
- Click here for a TWIC Technical Advisory pertaining to additional error code descriptions for TWICs. (pdf, 29kb)
- Click here for a TWIC Technical Advisory pertaining to the format of a TWIC with no fingerprint biometric data. (pdf, 32kb)
TWIC Pilot Test:
The TWIC pilot test is being conducted in laboratories and at vessels and maritime facilities in seven geographic locations. The Security and Accountability For Every Port Act (SAFE Port Act) of October 2006 requires the DHS Secretary to:
“…conduct a pilot program to test the business processes, technology, and operational impacts required to deploy [TWIC] card readers at secure areas of the maritime transportation system.”
The pilot test results will be used to support the second TWIC rulemaking which will establish requirements for TWIC readers. To accomplish this goal the TWIC pilot program is conducting tests of biometric readers that comply with the TWIC card and hardware specification, including the credential authentication and validation process, to evaluate the reader specification.
The pilot test is being conducted in three phases:
Phase I: Initial Technical Testing (ITT). Provides information on the technical performance of TWIC readers and TWIC cards used in conjunction with readers. The ITT Phase evaluates the ability of readers to perform functions such as biometric matching and card authentication and validation in accordance with the TWIC specification. The ability of readers to withstand conditions typically found in the maritime environment is also evaluated. Some of these conditions include extremes of: cold; heat; rain; icing; solar radiation; physical and electrical shock; and, salt spray. The government and independent contractors designed laboratory tests specifically for the pilot test. The goal of the ITT Phase is to determine if reader designs and performance are sufficient to require their use at maritime facilities and in vessel operations. Phase II: Early Operational Assessment (EOA) Phase. Begins with the installation of TWIC readers at pilot test facilities. The EOA Phase is focused on obtaining data regarding the technical performance of readers in the field and allows for workers and operators to gain experience using biometric readers before beginning to assess the impact of readers on the business operations of ports, maritime facilities, vessels and vessel operations. Phase III: System Test and Evaluation (ST&E) Phase. Evaluates card reader effectiveness, suitability and supportability, and the impact of readers on facility and vessel operations and business process as operators conduct access control measures in accordance with various scenarios designed to provide data in crafting the final reader rule.
An extensive mix of maritime operations and environmental conditions are represented by the participants in the pilot test. Operations include: container facilities; bulk cargo facilities; petroleum transshipment terminals; large and small passenger vessel facilities; tour boat operations; and, inland river towboat operations. The TWIC pilot is being conducted at the following ports:
- Brownsville, Texas
- Los Angeles, California
- Long Beach, California
- New York and New Jersey
Several facilities at each of the above ports are participating in the test. Tests are also conducted at the following individual sites:
- State Island Ferry Terminal, Staten Island, New York
- Magnolia Marine Transports, Vicksburg, Mississippi
- Clipper Navigation, Seattle, Washington
- Watermark Cruises, Annapolis, Maryland
As of February 2010 the ITT Phase has been completed. Although the EOA Phase began in April 2009 at the first site, and the ST&E Phase began in November 2009, a number of the larger, complex facilities will not be ready to begin tests until winter and early spring 2010. Upon the completion of all testing a final report on the pilot will be delivered to congress as required by the SAFE Port Act.
TWIC Reader Specification:
The TWIC Reader Hardware and Card Application Specification describes the behavior of the TWIC card application at the card interface with the TWIC readers for both fixed and portable readers used in conjunction with the pilot test. As required by the SAFE Port Act of 2006, DHS will implement final reader requirements through the rulemaking process. The data obtained during the pilot test will be used to determine the final TWIC reader and card specification and will also be taken into consideration in the Coast Guard’s future TWIC reader regulation.
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