After Reviewing Options, TSA Will Post RFPs

The TSA Wednesday announced that it will hold an open, competitive bidding process for its Integrated Logistics Support contract. This contract, which will be awarded in February 2005, will provide the maintenance for most of the screening equipment including metal detectors, X-ray machines, and Explosives Trace Detectors (ETDs) at the nation’s 450 commercial airports.

In October, TSA learned of a similar program in another organizational element of the Department of Homeland Security. TSA evaluated the existing contract vehicle to evaluate if the synergies between TSA and existing program were more beneficial than continuing with a new procurement. Last week, a joint panel of both DHS and TSA contracting, legal and technical officials recommended that while the alternative option has merit, a competitive bidding contracting process would provide the best value to the Federal government.

"After carefully reviewing the options and weighing the opinions of the experts, TSA concluded that the competitive bidding process provides the right avenue to a contractor that will provide the government the best value," said Rear Adm. David M. Stone, USN (Ret.), Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for TSA. "As good stewards of the taxpayer’s dollars, we can do no less."

TSA will solicit Requests for Proposals (RFPs) from companies that have already submitted white papers (conceptual proposals) to TSA for this contract. TSA has reviewed all the white papers and most qualified respondents will receive the RFP.

TSA has extended the current deployment and installation contract for checked baggage screening equipment with the Boeing Company through March 10, 2005.

FMI: www.tsa.gov