TSA scans market for reverse auction tool

The Transportation Security Administration wants to streamline its acquisition process by using a web-based reverse auction tool.

The agency issued a solicitation for a five-year, small-business set-aside contract for an existing auction system.

TSA needs a solution where the awarded vendor pays fee to the company, and is not a licensing agreement model.

TSA is looking for a system versatile enough to give buyers complete and independent control of the bidding process, such as posting, modifying, and even cancel auctions at any time, and award to any vendor. In addition, the reverse auction system website must be capable of simultaneous transactions in support of approximately 120 buyers creating and conducting numerous auctions among various vendors for a large number of items and services.

TSA is taking advantage of innovative e-procurement technologies to help leverage limited resources, reduce administrative tasks and associated labor costs while staying compliant with high levels of competition.

Among supportive services, the company must offer training and helpdesk services, set up administrator accounts for TSA users, and provide a list of qualified suppliers.

TSA released its request for quotes Nov. 12. Responses are due by Nov. 19.