Screening Partnership Program

Yes, If the airport operator meets the qualification criteria identified by 49 U.S.C. § 44920, as amended, it may compete for the contract to provide screening services at that airport. This does not guarantee they will be awarded the contract for security screening services. The airport will be required to compete in the normal procurement process.

In 2016, TSA awarded an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract to multiple vendors for a period of 10 years. If an airline or any other entity with a security screening company meets the qualification criteria identified by 49 U.S.C. § 44920, and TSA determines that there is a need to add additional vendors to the current multiple award contract for the Screening Partnership Program, that company could submit a proposal in a competitive procurement process to compete for the security screening services contract.

The contract screening company is contracted by TSA to provide the security screening services. TSA monitors vendor performance according to their contract. The vendor must comply with all TSA standard operating procedures and operational directives. The airport operator has no new role or impact on the screening operations as a result of the program.

The airport operator may be part of the selection process. TSA is developing a process that allows airport operators to participate in the evaluation of proposals in accordance with chapter 21 of title 41 and all relevant statutes and regulations.

If the airport operator wishes to contract directly with a vendor to provide non-regulatory or non-certified positions, TSA will not object. Any such work would of course have to follow all standard operating procedures and other pertinent regulations. The work would also have to be coordinated through the federal security director to assure proper supervision.

The private company providing security screening services ultimately determines the number of contract screeners hired. TSA seeks to provide flexibility to the contractor to manage the operations as efficiently as possible while meeting security and customer service standards.

Private security screening companies are subject to the same security screener hiring restrictions and challenges as the federal government. Contract screener candidates receive the same security background check and must meet the same medical requirements as prospective federal security screeners. In addition, hiring and retention are affected by the airport’s local economy and all contract screeners must attend all TSA provided training to include training at the TSA Academy in Glynco, Ga.

Interested airport authorities can submit an application to their local federal security director. Follow instructions on the Screening Partnership Program.

Under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, TSA is required to make a determination on an application within 60 days of application receipt. TSA is required to enter into a contract with a private screening company for the provision of screening at the airport no later than 120 days, as practicable, after the date of application approval.

Due to the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, TSA is required to make a determination on an application within sixty (60) days of application receipt. TSA is required to enter into a contract with a private screening company for the provision of screening at the airport not later than 120 days, as practicable, after the date of application approval.

On October 5, 2018, the President signed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2018, which directed the TSA administrator to approve SPP applications if the administrator determines that “the approval would not compromise security or detrimentally affect the cost-efficiency or the effectiveness of the screening of passengers or property at the airport”. This modifies existing application processing timelines and provides additional Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirements related to the 49 CFR §44920 Security Partnership Program (SPP).

As stipulated by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, if an application is denied, TSA must inform the airport operator in writing, within sixty (60) days, and explain the findings that served as the basis for the denial. TSA must also provide the results of any cost or security analysis conducted in considering the application, and recommendations on how the airport operator can address the reasons for the denial.  The airport can reapply to participate in SPP at any time.

The program application process is open to all federally staffed airports in the United States that require security screening services.