Washington, DC - United States Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) has raised concerns over the commencement of the Screener Partnership Program by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the waste of approximately $49 million that resulted from apparent mismanagement of a TSA contract to install Explosive Detection Systems (EDS) at U.S. airports.

TSA began receiving applications from U.S. airports that wish to participate in the Screener Partnership Program last week. This program will allow airports to hire security screeners employed by private-sector companies to provide baggage and passenger security screening at their facilities for the first time since September 11, 2001. Akaka expressed concern that the pilot program used to evaluate the effectiveness and cost of private screeners was inadequate.

"TSA is relying on a study that both the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office found to be inconclusive," according to Akaka. "Given the high stakes involved in airport security, I am concerned that the decision to begin this program is being made without sufficient data. Before the nation's airports return to commercially hired and trained screening workforces, we must make sure there has truly been adequate analysis of the performance of private airport screeners prior to allowing privatization."

Akaka also expressed concern about TSA's ability to award and administer contracts with private screening companies citing a September 2004 DHS IG report that found TSA mismanaged a contract with Boeing to install Explosive Detection Systems and overpaid Boeing by approximately $49 million. Akaka wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge to communicate his concern over this wasted funding which, according to Akaka, could have been utilized by airports in Hawaii to install in-line EDS machines. Many U.S. airports are asking for funding to install the machines in-line, meaning they are incorporated in the airport baggage system behind the ticket counters, to reduce congestion, security risk, and cost.

Akaka also noted that the contract mismanagement by TSA may have security implications. "Most troubling is that TSA rejected some of the IG's key criticisms, which makes me question the manner in which it will manage future contracts," stated Akaka. "Moreover, I believe we must also consider whether contractual mismanagement could lead to lapses in security. Are the right standards and policies in place to ensure that private screeners will provide the same security as federalized screeners, and is TSA equipped to enforce them?"

Akaka promised to monitor TSA's implementation of the Screener Partnership Program, both in terms of the level of security provided to the traveling public and the level of transparency and accountability of the contracts.