Air Cargo Screening Qualification Test Process Guide

Other / Unclassified

This document, titled "Special Notice ACSQT Process Guide v.Final.pdf", outlines the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Air Cargo Screening Qualification Test (ACSQT) process. It provides information for vendors interested in listing their air cargo screening devices on the TSA Air Cargo Screening Technology List (ACSTL).

• Purpose: Informs vendors about the ACSQT process for qualifying air cargo screening technologies.
• Objectives: Defines technology groups, establishes high-level requirements for white paper submissions, and provides an overview of the ACSQT process.
• ACSTL Overview: Explains that authorized private air cargo screening facilities must use technologies listed on the ACSTL.
• Qualification Groups: Details four qualification groups (QG) based on function/application: Visual Image (VI), Explosive Trace Detection (ETD), Metal Detector (MD), and Explosive Detection System (EDS).
• Qualification Process: Outlines the two-stage ACSQT process (Stage I: Submission Processing and Requirements Testing; Stage II: Field Assessment) and the possible outcomes (Accept, Reject, Conditionally Accept, Request Clarification/Remediation).
• Submission Requirements: Vendors must submit a white paper, undergo a Security Threat Assessment (STA), and potentially participate in a coordination teleconference before submitting a Qualification Data Package (QDP).
• Contact Information: Provides an email address (OSC_ACSQT@tsa.dhs.gov) for white paper submissions and general correspondence.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Appendix A: ACSQT White Paper Requirements & Templates," outlines the requirements and provides templates for vendors to submit a white paper as part of the Air Cargo Screening Qualification Test (ACSQT) for Qualification Group One: Visual Imaging. It serves as a guide for vendors to detail their candidate device's capabilities and compliance with various standards.

• Vendor Information: Collects details such as legal business name, entity type, UEI number, SAM registration status, CAGE code, web address, and Point of Contact (POC) information.
• Device Overview and Technical Specification: Requires a technical summary of the screening/detection technology, dimensions, electrical requirements, number of views, and dual-energy capabilities.
• Commercial Availability: Inquires about the device's availability, lead time, production rate, pricing, rebranding status, and online product information.
• Image Quality Performance: Details the need for ASTM F792-08 scores (for Capacity A or B devices) or ANSI N42.46-2008 results (for Capacity C devices) related to penetration, spatial resolution, wire detection, and contrast sensitivity.
• Safety: Assesses compliance with industrial, commercial, and government standards related to general safety and ionizing radiation.
• Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC): Evaluates immunity and emissions compliance with relevant standards (IEC 61326-1, FCC Title 47, CFR Part 15).
• Quality Management: Inquires about compliance with industrial quality management standards (e.g., ISO 9001) and willingness to provide TSA access for compliance assurance.
• Configuration Management: Assesses the vendor's process for identifying, controlling, and auditing product configuration baselines (e.g., ISO 10007).
• Supporting Information: Asks about current certifications/qualifications, user manuals, and training packages.
• Similarity Questionnaire: Allows vendors to claim similarity to a previously qualified device on the ACSTL, requiring detailed comparisons of dimensions, generators, X-ray tube specifications, and views.
• Attachments: Specifies required attachments, including device specification sheets, block diagrams, and no-proprietary screen shots.

This document is critical for any vendor wishing to have their visual imaging air cargo screening device qualified. It dictates the comprehensive information required for submission, including technical specifications, performance data, safety and compliance documentation, and comparative analysis if claiming similarity to an existing qualified device. Adhering to these requirements is essential for a successful qualification process.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Appendix A: ACSQT White Paper Requirements & Template," outlines the requirements and provides a template for vendors to submit a white paper as part of the Air Cargo Screening Qualification Test (ACSQT) for Qualification Group Two: Explosive Trace Detection Devices. It serves as a critical component for vendors to provide detailed information about their candidate devices.

The document is structured into several sections, each requiring specific information from the vendor:

• Vendor Information: Legal business name, entity type, UEI number, physical address, SAM registration status, CAGE code, web address, and Point of Contact (POC) details.
• Device Overview and Technical Specification: Description of the device, technical summary of screening/detection technology, dimensions, weight, and electrical requirements.
• Commercial Availability: Information on availability for purchase, production lead time, production rate, commercial pricing, rebranding details (if applicable), and online product information.
• Safety: Compliance with industrial/commercial safety standards, evidence of compliance with UL 61010-1 and IEEE C95.1, and details regarding radioactive sources, licensing, and control programs.
• Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC): Compliance with standards for EM Immunity, EM Emissions, and Radio Frequency Interference, including evidence of compliance with IEC 61326-1 and FCC Title 47, CFR Part 15.
• Quality Management: Compliance with industrial/commercial quality management standards, third-party certification evidence (ISO 9001), and agreement to provide access to technical records.
• Configuration Management: Processes for identifying, controlling, and auditing product configuration baselines (ISO 10007 or equivalent), unique serial number assignment, and willingness to provide a design baseline document package.
• Supporting Information: Details on current certifications or qualifications sponsored by a government agency, and availability of a User Manual and training package.
• Pre-Qualification IAC or CCSF Request: Listing of three potential Independent Airport Certification (IAC) or Cargo Community System Provider (CCSF) facilities for readiness testing.
• Attachments: Requirement to include the candidate device specification sheet and a block diagram of major components.

This document is essential for any vendor wishing to have their Explosive Trace Detection device considered for the ACSQT. It dictates the comprehensive information required for the initial qualification stage, including technical specifications, safety, compliance, and commercial viability. Vendors must accurately complete all sections of this template to demonstrate their device's suitability and their organization's capability to meet the program's stringent requirements. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may result in disqualification.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Appendix A: ACSQT White Paper Requirements & Templates," outlines the requirements and provides templates for vendors to submit white papers as part of the Air Cargo Screening Qualification Test (ACSQT) for Qualification Group Four: Explosive Detection Systems. It serves as a guide for vendors to detail their candidate devices.

• Vendor Information: Collects legal business name, entity type, UEI number, SAM registration status, CAGE code, web address, and Point of Contact (POC) details.
• Device Overview & Technical Specification: Requires description of the screening/detection technology, dimensions, weight, electrical requirements, number of views, and dual-energy capabilities.
• Commercial Availability: Inquires about availability, lead time, production rate, pricing, OEM information, and online product information.
• Performance: Asks about prior evaluation by the Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL) and lists relevant approvals.
• Safety: Covers general safety compliance, UL 61010-1 compliance, and ionizing radiation standards (FDA Title 21, CFR 1020.40, 1010.2, 1010.3).
• Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC): Addresses immunity to disturbances and emissions compliance with standards like IEC 61326-1 and FCC Title 47, CFR Part 15.
• Quality Management: Inquires about compliance with industrial/commercial quality standards (e.g., ISO 9001) and willingness to provide TSA access to technical records.
• Configuration Management: Asks about adherence to ISO 10007 or equivalent for product configuration baselines, unique serial number control, and willingness to provide design baseline documentation.
• Supporting Information: Inquires about prior testing at DHS S&T/TSL, compliance with EBSP/EDS requirements, qualification by other DHS programs, and availability of User Manuals and training packages.
• Attachments: Requires submission of device specification sheets, block diagrams, and letters from DHS S&T TSL.

This document is critical for vendors participating in the ACSQT. It details the specific technical, safety, performance, and administrative information required for their explosive detection systems. Completing this white paper accurately and thoroughly is essential for a successful qualification process.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Appendix A: ACSQT White Paper Requirements & Template," outlines the requirements and provides a template for vendors to submit information about their candidate devices for the Air Cargo Screening Qualification Test (ACSQT), specifically for Qualification Group Three: Metal Detection Devices. It serves as a critical component for vendors to provide detailed technical, commercial, safety, and quality information about their proposed screening technology.

The document is structured into nine sections:

• I. VENDOR INFORMATION: Collects basic business details, SAM.gov registration, UEI, CAGE code, and Point of Contact information.
• II. DEVICE OVERVIEW AND TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION: Gathers technical details about the device's screening technology, dimensions, electrical requirements, programming capabilities, and diagnostic outputs.
• III. COMMERCIAL AVAILABILITY: Inquires about the device's availability, production lead time, current pricing, OEM information (if rebranded), and online product information.
• IV. SAFETY: Assesses compliance with industrial/commercial safety standards and UL 61010-1, and the prominent display of exclusion zones for personal medical devices.
• V. ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY (EMC): Evaluates compliance with standards for EM Immunity, EM Emissions, and Radio Frequency Interference, including evidence of independent testing.
• VI. QUALITY MANAGEMENT: Inquires about compliance with industrial/commercial quality management standards (e.g., ISO 9001) and the vendor's willingness to provide TSA access to technical records.
• VII. CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT: Assesses the vendor's processes for identifying, controlling, and maintaining product configuration baselines (e.g., ISO 10007) and for identifying delivered systems.
• VIII. SUPPORTING INFORMATION: Asks about current certifications/qualifications, user manuals, and training packages.
• IX. ATTACHMENTS: Requires the inclusion of the candidate device specification sheet and a block diagram of major components.

This document is essential for any vendor wishing to qualify their metal detection devices for the ACSQT program. Vendors must accurately complete all sections of this template to provide the necessary information for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to evaluate their device's technical capabilities, commercial viability, safety, and quality management systems. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may impact the evaluation and qualification process.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, Appendix B, outlines the requirements and procedures for vendors to obtain access to Sensitive Security Information (SSI) necessary for the Air Cargo Screening Technology Program (ACSTP), specifically for Air Cargo Screening Qualification Test (ACSQT) activities and Air Cargo Screening Technology List (ACSTL) device sustainment activities.

• Background: SSI may be available to vendors, but requires specific authorization.
• Corporation Vetting: Vendors without current TSA contracts or NISP facility clearance must undergo vetting. This includes submitting DHS Form 11000-6 (Non-Disclosure Agreements) for individuals requiring SSI access.
• Senior Corporate Official: Vendors must designate a single point of contact responsible for SSI, who must certify protection measures and report staffing changes.
• Vendor Responsibility: TSA will review the Excluded Parties List System (epls.gov) and SAM.gov UEI, which may prohibit SSI access.
• Criteria for Release: Access is granted only after passing a Security Threat Assessment (STA), which may include facility clearance verification, background investigations, and checks against terrorism databases.
• Information Requirements: Specific information must be submitted for the STA, including Senior Corporate Official identification, CAGE code, UEI, and details for U.S. citizens and Foreign Nationals.
• Non-Disclosure Agreements: All employees granted SSI access must sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement.
• Privacy Act Statement: Information provided for the STA will be used by DHS and may be shared with other government agencies.
• Notification of Assessment: TSA will notify individuals and the company point of contact if an individual is not eligible for SSI access. Appeals are not permitted due to time sensitivity.
• Return of SSI: Hard-copy SSI must be returned or destroyed upon completion of activities or loss of device listing. Failure to comply may result in penalties.
• Pass-Through of Security Requirements: Vendors must incorporate these requirements into agreements with business associates.
• Employee Termination: Vendors must notify TSA within 30 days of an employee's termination or loss of need for SSI access.

Vendors seeking to participate in ACSTP, ACSQT, or ACSTL device sustainment activities must understand and comply with these stringent requirements for accessing and handling Sensitive Security Information. This includes undergoing background checks, designating specific personnel, and executing non-disclosure agreements. Failure to adhere to these procedures may prevent access to necessary information and impact participation in the opportunity.