Fbi seeks nationwide access to license plate cameras, wants near‑real‑time data

At a glance:

• FBI issues RFP for near‑real‑time license plate reader data covering 75% of U.S. locations
• Potential contracts worth up to $36 million across six regions, possibly awarded to Flock and Motorola Solutions
• Privacy advocates warn state laws may limit federal access to ALPR data

What the FBI is requesting

The Federal Bureau of Investigation released a Request for Proposals (RFP) on May 14, outlining a plan to purchase nationwide access to license‑plate‑reader (LPR) cameras. The contract, slated for the FBI Directorate of Intelligence, calls for a system that can provide “near real time” information from cameras across the United States and its territories, covering at least 75 percent of locations. The FBI specifies that the platform must allow searches by full or partial plate numbers, plate states, vehicle makes and models, timestamps, and geo‑location criteria, and must generate search‑result notifications.

Beyond raw data, the RFP requires contractors to supply map visualisations—heat‑maps of camera coverage—and to disclose the source of each data point (e.g., red‑light cameras, repossession vendors, speed cameras). The system must be accessible to FBI users via a web‑based portal, and contractors must identify server locations to verify compliance with state and local data‑retention laws.

Potential bidders and contract scope

The solicitation divides the United States into six regions, including the continental U.S., Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FBI may award one or two vendors per region, with contracts lasting up to five years and a combined ceiling of roughly $36 million. Industry observers, notably 404 Media, flag Flock and Motorola Solutions as the most likely contenders. Flock’s Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) already serve over 12,000 public‑safety customers, while Motorola Solutions markets LPR cameras for both roadway installations and police‑vehicle mounts.

Both firms could split the work, allowing the FBI to meet its coverage target without relying on a single supplier. The RFP’s language permits multiple awardees, suggesting the agency anticipates a patchwork of regional solutions rather than a monolithic national platform.

Privacy and legal concerns

License‑plate‑reader technology has long raised civil‑liberties questions. Critics point to privacy risks, data‑security vulnerabilities, and the potential for mis‑reads that lead to wrongful arrests. In California, state law expressly forbids local agencies from sharing ALPR data with out‑of‑state or federal law‑enforcement bodies, a rule the Electronic Frontier Foundation highlighted after dozens of agencies allegedly violated it in early 2024. Virginia enacted a similar restriction last year.

Flock emphasizes that data ownership remains with the agency that operates the cameras and that any federal access is “opt‑in” and permission‑based. The company notes that sharing with federal agencies is disabled by default and that it has only provided limited pilot access to agencies such as Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, the Secret Service, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Motorola Solutions has not publicly detailed its data‑sharing policies, but the contract would likely require compliance with the same state‑law constraints.

Implications for law‑enforcement coordination

The FBI already runs an LPR program that facilitates data sharing among its law‑enforcement partners, maintaining a “hot list” of vehicle data for cross‑referencing. Direct access to a broader, near‑real‑time camera network could dramatically expand that capability, allowing the bureau to query a national feed for threats to personal safety, property, or ongoing investigations.

However, the expansion also raises questions about oversight and the balance of power between federal and local agencies. By mandating that contractors disclose server locations, the FBI signals awareness of jurisdictional data‑privacy issues, yet the practical enforcement of state restrictions will depend on contract language and the willingness of local jurisdictions to opt‑in. As the RFP moves forward, stakeholders—from municipal police chiefs to privacy‑rights groups—will be watching how the agency reconciles its intelligence goals with existing legal frameworks.

What to watch next

The RFP’s deadline and the subsequent evaluation process have not been disclosed, but industry insiders expect proposals to be submitted within the next 60 days. If awarded, the contracts could reshape the landscape of vehicle‑tracking technology in the United States, setting a precedent for federal‑level use of LPR data. Watch for announcements from Flock, Motorola Solutions, and any competing vendors, as well as potential legal challenges from state attorneys general or civil‑rights organizations.