Sabre chosen for $17 million TSA subcontract

Sabre Holdings Corp.'s resource management system was picked by Unisys Corp. to assist in scheduling the Transportation Security Administration's passenger and baggage screening operations at airports across the country, Sabre announced Dec. 16.

The subcontract has a value in the first year of $17 million and includes two two-year options. Unisys, based in Blue Bell, Pa., is TSA's prime contractor on the Information Technology Managed Service contract to create and maintain the IT infrastructure for the newly formed TSA.

"We are working under very tight timelines and need proven solutions that work. Sabre Airline Solutions has the experience and understanding of the airline industry, combined with the technology that has proven results to improve airport operations," said Tim Bethea, a principal with Unisys Federal Government Group. "With more than 35 airlines and airport ground service providers using this technology for their airport operations, we knew with their solution we could get this technology implemented quickly for efficient management of federal screening personnel at the airport."

The Sabre software helps manage the planning, administration and real-time management of more than 200,000 airline and airport personnel. The technology will help airports have the appropriate number of screeners at security checkpoints, baggage screening and random screening at the gates.

"Having the right number of screeners at each of the locations is a key element to meeting the TSA's goal of no wait of more than 10 minutes," Bethea said. "The ability to adjust these requirements in real time as airport flow fluctuates is equally important."

The initial phase of the program includes setting up regional training facilities in Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, Atlanta, New York and Dallas to conduct intense training with TSA representatives.

Sabre Holdings, headquartered in Southlake, Texas, has 7,000 employees in 45 countries. The company reported 2001 revenue of $2.1 billion.