US Marshals needs help with crypto policies, hacking capabilities

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The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) has confiscated millions of dollars in cryptocurrency, but doesn’t know what to do with it. The law enforcement division has posted a request for information (RFI) from vendors that might be able to help it create a solution that could include the storage and disposal of the digital assets, including Bitcoin Core (BTC), digital wallets and more.

According to the posting, “The purpose of this contract is to provide the full range of virtual currency management and disposal services,” the performance work statement reads. “This includes but is not limited to such activities as accounting, customer management, audit compliance, managing blockchain forks, wallet creation, transformation of token assets into coin assets, etc., as well as future actions associated with the virtual currency forfeiture process.”

The contract is designed to allow a vendor to offer a full range of virtual currency management and disposal services. These include accounting, audit compliance, customer management, blockchain fork management, the creation of wallets and conversions from crypto to fiat where necessary. Additionally, “The contractor shall remain capable of taking custody of all types and quantities of virtual currency without limitation, throughout the performance of this contract. This includes both coin and token types of currency.”

The company or individual chosen for the job should also have a unique talent. The USMS wants to ensure that whoever is given the contract will have the ability to hack into wallets that may have been “locked by error” or due to “technical difficulties.”

The RFI is purposely vague on many of the details surrounding the scope of the obligations. This is due, in part, because the USMS is not able to forecast the quantity or types of crypto that might be confiscated during the life of the contract.

It does state, however, “The contractor shall remain capable of taking custody of all types and quantities of virtual currency without limitation, throughout the performance of this contract,” the RFI states. “This includes both coin and token types of currency.”

The contract will be initially awarded for one year. After that, it could be extended for two more one-year periods. Anyone interested can respond to the RFI through the USMS solicitation, but time is running out—all entries must be delivered before March 19.