According to the Washington Times, the Government Printing Office has been outsourcing the creation of e-Passport covers, which contain the contactless smart card chip (a.k.a. RFID chip) and antenna, to companies in Europe and Thailand. Apparently the GPO did this due to cost concerns, and it’s paid handsomely: over $100 million in profits claims the Times, due to the huge mark-up. read more »
