Orléans, France - 7 October 2025
Imprimerie Nationale SA has been given a €30 million framework agreement by the CNSO Orléans, which is part of the French Ministry of Defence, to produce and maintain the country's new multi-service identity cards (CIMS). The agreement strengthens France's secure identity infrastructure for defence personnel by covering the operational maintenance of the system and related digital services.
The six-year agreement, which ended on September 30, 2025, and runs until September 29, 2031, guarantees that a vital system supporting digital authentication, access control, and secure identification will continue to be provided within France's defence network.
Continuity of Strategy and Exclusive Rights
In accordance with Decree No. 2006-1436 of September 24, 2006, the Imprimerie Nationale, France's state-sponsored expert in secure printing and identity solutions, was chosen under an exclusive rights framework.
Due to Imprimerie Nationale's exclusive right to produce official government identification documents and associated systems in France, the CNSO confirmed that this contract was awarded without a competitive tender.
For certain operational components worth €3 million, or 10% of the total contract, the national agency in charge of secure credentials, Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés (ANTS), will serve as a subcontractor.
Improving Defence Identity Management's Security and Effectiveness
A key component of France's endeavour to modernise defence administration through cybersecurity and digital transformation is the new CIMS (Carte d'Identité multi-services) system.
The cards give military and civilian defence personnel a single solution by integrating several features, such as digital signature capabilities, building and system access control, and personal identification.
The Ministry of Defence guarantees robust maintenance for sensitive identity systems, adherence to EU security standards, and high-level data protection by preserving operational continuity through a single integrated supplier.
Long-Term Benefits and National Autonomy
France's dedication to preserving national sovereignty over identity management technologies is demonstrated by the €30 million framework agreement. With its main office in Paris, the Imprimerie Nationale has decades of experience creating safe documents for different government agencies, including professional identity cards, residency permits, and passports.
The CIMS renewal is a strategic investment in cyber resilience and interoperability, according to defence procurement analysts, and it is essential to the operation of safe communication and logistics systems throughout the French military.
Any mediation or review procedures pertaining to this award will be supervised by the Administrative Court of Orléans; however, since the contract is legally exclusive, no challenges are expected.
Tags:
#France contract award, #DefenceProcurementFrance, #ImprimerieNationale, #CNSO Orléans, #SecureIdentitySystems, #CIMS France, #GovernmentContracts, #AwardedTendersFrance, #DigitalIdentitySolutions, #PublicProcurement news, #AgenceNationale des Titres Sécurisés, #DefenceTechnologyFrance.
