XTec Retained for Federal Credentialing Contract

The GSA reaffirmed XTec as the contractor for the USAccess 2.0 system after a protest was withdrawn.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Cybersecurity

Isometric editorial illustration of a secure electronic identification terminal and access gate, representing federal identity infrastructure systems. — The General Services Administration has confirmed XTec as the prime contractor for the USAccess 2.0 program, maintaining secure federal agency credentialing. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The General Services Administration has confirmed XTec as the prime contractor for the USAccess 2.0 program. This follows the formal withdrawal of a protest previously filed by Peraton.

Why it matters

The USAccess 2.0 project aims to modernize federal identity infrastructure. It provides critical credentialing services to over 100 federal agencies.

The contract utilizes the AuthentX Cloud Platform, which holds a FedRAMP High impact level certification. Identity verification relies on biometrics, fingerprint templates, biographic information, and PINs.

The players

General Services Administration

The GSA is an independent agency of the United States government that helps manage and support the basic functioning of federal agencies.

XTec

XTec is an identity management company that specializes in secure credentialing solutions and biometric verification technology.

Peraton

Peraton is a national security technology company that provides mission-critical services and solutions to the federal government.

Government Accountability Office

The GAO acts as the non-partisan audit and investigative arm of Congress that oversees federal spending and contract disputes.

The details

The program, which supported more than 800,000 active cards as of 2022, serves as the backbone for secure federal agency access. The procurement process included updated oral presentations and a renewed evaluation of the four received offers.

The program supported 800,000 active cards in 2022.
The GSA initially awarded the contract to XTec in October 2025.
Peraton challenged the award with the GAO on June 29, 2026.
The protest was withdrawn on September 8, 2026.
The contract performance period concludes in June 2036.

Roadmap

The USAccess 2.0 contract is a central component of the government's transition to modernized HSPD-12 infrastructure. This award cements XTec's role in scaling biometric identity management across the federal sector.

Federal employees and contractors will continue using the USAccess system for physical and logical facility access. The use of the FedRAMP-certified platform ensures that high-level security standards remain consistent for all credential holders.

The takeaway

Reliable identity verification remains a pillar of government operations and digital security. Modernized infrastructure helps ensure that sensitive federal data and facilities are protected from unauthorized access.