TSA launches $13B security screening tech solicitation
Photo by Jacek Boczarski / Anadolu via Getty Images
By
Ross Wilkers
The Transportation Security Agency set up this multiple-award contract to support its efforts to transition away from being both operator and regulator at airports.
The Transportation Security Administration has opened the window for industry to start working on and turning in proposals for a potential 10-year, $12.9 billion contract vehicle focused on airport security screening technology and workforce support.
TSA stood up the Gold+ effort as a public-private partnership to take a new approach to enabling security tech and operational methodologies for moving travelers through airports.
This brand new multiple-award contract is designed to aid TSA’s transition away from being both operator and regulator at airports in order to focus on the latter role, according to the final solicitation published Wednesday.
Gold+ is intended to build on the agency’s existing Screening Partnership Program, which 20 airports participate in. Companies involved in that effort use screening technology and other equipment provided by TSA, but Gold+ would task the contractors with providing the technology itself.
Companies interested in Gold+ must be able to provide turnkey solutions that bring together screening technology, maintenance services and staffers that are responsible for screening for prohibited items.
Work areas listed in the request for proposals include program management, technology deployment, equipment maintenance, cybersecurity support, screening operations, workforce management, financial management, quality control and transition services.
Bids for the Gold+ contract are due by 1 p.m. Eastern time on July 23. TSA has penciled in Sept. 28 as the intended start date for the contract.