Pre-Solicitation Notice: TSA Gold+ Draft PWS, Evaluation Factors, and Industry Day

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document outlines the evaluation factors and proposal requirements for the TSA Gold+ program at the IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity) level and for airport-specific task orders. The government will evaluate proposals using a best-value tradeoff, considering technical merit and risk alongside price, ensuring total contract cost remains at or below the Federal cost baseline.

• Factor 1 – Technology Solution & Innovation: Describe proposed technologies (TSA-certified or certifiable), deployment plans, improvements to security/passenger experience, lifecycle/refresh strategy (upgrades, innovation mechanisms, logistics, sustainment), real-time data/dashboard provision, and approach to connectivity/open architecture.

• Factor 2 – Staffing & Workforce Management: Detail proposed staffing levels, plans for peak/off-peak periods and surge staffing, hiring/vetting/training processes, and methods for monitoring/managing workforce performance and morale.

• Factor 3 – Performance & Outcome Management: Explain how performance will be managed across security effectiveness, screening efficiency (meeting TSA wait time standards), and customer experience (CSAT scores, professionalism). Describe data, tools, and reporting for monitoring and providing transparent, auditable data to TSA.

• Factor 4 – Management Approach & Transition Plan: Outline the overall governance structure, experience managing similar operations, and a detailed transition plan (hiring, technology installation, coordination, risk mitigation, continuity of operations, and transition back to Government if required).

• Factor 5 – Financial Capability & Business Stability: Provide evidence of financial stability, sufficient capitalization for a 10-year contract, and financial risk management practices.

• Factor 6 – Past Performance & Relevant Experience: Submit up to three examples of relevant contracts demonstrating experience in airport security, large-scale operations, or similar regulated environments, focusing on quality of performance and outcome-based metrics.

• Factor A – Airport-Specific Solution & Tailoring: Describe how the solution will be executed at the specific airport, aligning with its layout, traffic, and community role. Include a high-level concept of operations (ConOps).

• Factor B – Innovative Concepts: Detail any proposed innovations for the airport (e.g., off-premise screening, automation) and their impact on security, throughput, and passenger experience.

• Factor C – Stakeholder Engagement & Alignment: Provide a plan for engaging with airport authorities, airlines, and local stakeholders.

• Factor D – Implementation Plan, Milestones, and Risk Management: Submit a high-level implementation plan with key milestones, success measures, and anticipated risks/mitigation strategies.

• Factor E – Price / Cost for Airport-Specific Solution: Provide a price proposal for the task order, ensuring it remains at or below the Government’s cost baseline for equivalent Federal screening services.

Proposals will be evaluated using a best-value tradeoff. Technical factors will receive an adjectival rating (Outstanding to Unacceptable). Price will be evaluated for reasonableness, realism, and consistency with the statutory cost constraint. Airport-specific task orders will assess how well the proposed capabilities are tailored to that airport.

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This PWS outlines the services required by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for the TSA Gold+ initiative. The initiative aims to implement a comprehensive, turnkey solution for security screening technology and skilled workforce at participating airports, focusing on passenger and property screening for threats.

• TSA Gold+ Initiative: Modernize aviation security by allowing airports to opt into a privatized screening ecosystem under TSA oversight. This shifts TSA's role to primarily a security regulator.

• Services: Provide and manage security screening technology and a skilled workforce for passengers and property.

• Key Objectives: Elevate customer experience, accelerate innovation, drive private sector investment, enhance security, enable airport choice, and improve operational flexibility.

• Offeror Responsibilities:

  • Program Management: Oversee all aspects of Gold+ operations, including financial management, workforce, technology maintenance, risk management, cybersecurity, and customer service.
  • Technology Solution Implementation: Deliver, install, integrate, test, and maintain turnkey security screening equipment and IT/OT systems compliant with TSA standards.
  • Security Screening Services: Conduct passenger, baggage, and access control screening; provide remote image review personnel; ensure adequate staffing for various operational scenarios (peak times, special programs like TSA PreCheck®).
  • Transition: Manage transition-in and transition-out activities for IDIQ and subsequent orders.

• Offerors must meet or exceed TSA standards for security, threat detection, workforce performance, checkpoint management (wait times), and customer service.

• Specific numeric thresholds are considered Sensitive Security Information (SSI) but are detailed in the Performance Requirements Summary.

• Financial incentives are available for exceeding performance metrics, and disincentives apply for failing to meet them.

• Not specified in this document, but services will be at designated Gold+ airports.

• Personnel: Security Threat Assessment (STA) and TSA suitability determination required for all personnel. Handling of Sensitive Security Information (SSI) and potentially classified information (up to SECRET) requires adherence to TSA policies.

• Technology: Solutions must conform to TSA’s Screening Reference Architecture, Enterprise Architecture, and Technical Standards Profiles. Interoperability with TSA systems is critical.

• Data & Cybersecurity: Strict compliance with TSA cybersecurity policies, privacy requirements, and data protection rules is mandatory. Authority to Operate (ATO) or Authority to Connect (ATC) is required for systems connecting to TSA networks.

• Compliance: Adherence to all TSA Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), directives, and policies is required.

• Reporting: Timely and accurate reporting on operations, performance, incidents, finances, and staffing is required.

• Subcontractor Management: Offeror is responsible for flowing down requirements and managing subcontractors.

• Data Rights: Government requires broad licenses for data and software produced under the contract.

• Facilities: Offeror is responsible for securing necessary office and staff support space unless provided by TSA or the airport.

• Excluded Services: Offeror is not responsible for TSA Canine teams or Transportation Security Specialist-Explosives (TSSE) personnel.