Committee approves contract with Biometrics for fingerprinting and notary services

The committee approved an agreement allowing an outside vendor, Biometrics Identification Services, to provide fingerprinting and notary services using the Norwalk Police Department’s IDEMIA Live Scan machine. Presenters said the service will be delivered at no cost to the city; applicants will pay the state-registered fee and any vendor service fee agreed with the department.

A council member asked how fees are set. The presenter and Chief James Walsh explained Connecticut sets a $30 maximum that is remitted to the state; any separate vendor processing fee would be agreed to between Biometrics and the police department and go through legal review. The chief described the vendor as handling appointments and the city machine being the transmission path for results to the state.

Council members raised data-security concerns and whether the vendor is a federal contractor. Chief Walsh responded that the IDEMIA machine is state-owned and the capture/transmission pathway to the state remains unchanged; the vendor will operate the scanner but will not alter the data transmission. The committee recorded a unanimous vote to approve the authorization.