Transportation Security Administration’s Open Architecture Initiatives

The purpose of this notice is to streamline and consolidate industry engagement and feedback related to Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Open Architecture (OA) initiatives. It is expected that TSA will release multiple open architecture artifacts and this notice serves as the centralized point for future efforts. This notice will be updated as appropriate.

The TSA’s mission is to protect the nation’s transportation systems to ensure the freedom of movement for people and commerce. To achieve this mission in an evolving threat environment, TSA must remain an agile and flexible organization that can rapidly field innovative screening solutions that improve TSA’s security posture. It is essential that TSA implements these innovative screening solutions in a manner that supports the Transportation Security Officer in conducting the critical screening functions and improves the passenger experience.

Open Architecture is a design approach where components, such as software and hardware, are standards-based and interoperable to allow a wide range of industry partners to create improved subcomponents (e.g., new detection algorithms, user interfaces, reporting systems, etc.).  Leveraging an open architecture design approach will enable TSA to improve its security posture, support its frontline workforce, and promote an improved traveler experience. The successful implementation of this approach will require coordination across a wide range of partners to include government agencies, regulators, industry and international partners, national labs, academia, and airports.

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The attached Roadmap is being issued in draft form to elicit comments from Industry.  Comments are requested to be provided within twenty-one days of this posting/no later than March 2, 2023 via the attached Excel spreadsheet titled “OA Roadmap Industry Comments.” The Government will review Industry comments for market research purposes only. The Government does not intend to provide a response to comments submitted for this Roadmap; however, based on vendor comments, the Government may arrange a technical information exchange to clarify or expand on comments provided. This Roadmap does not commit the U.S. Government to any course of action in the future. The Government may or may not utilize Industry suggestions in finalizing the Roadmap and information based on comments may be shared with the public in the final draft of the Roadmap.  No proprietary information shall be provided by Industry.  Each respondent, by submitting comments, agrees that any costs incurred in providing comments shall be the sole responsibility of the respondent/vendor. The Government shall incur no obligations or liabilities whatsoever, to anyone, for costs or expenses incurred by the respondent/vendor in responding to this Request for Comments.

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The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is issuing the attached Request for Information (RFI) to conduct market research to better understand vendor capabilities, qualifications, approaches, costs, risks, and technical challenges with regard to TSA’s vision of a connected transportation security system of systems based on open architecture principles and solutions.  

Written questions concerning this RFI, should be emailed to siobhan.mullen@tsa.dhs.gov and siobhan.lawson@tsa.dhs.gov no later than 3:00pm EDT, February 17, 2023. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions.

Respondents shall provide written responses to this RFIno later than Friday, March 3, 2023 at 3:00pm EDT to siobhan.mullen@tsa.dhs.gov and siobhan.lawson@tsa,dhs.gov. It is the Respondent’s responsibility to ensure the Government receives the Respondent’s email submission.

This RFI is issued solely for market research, planning, and information purposes in order to assist TSA. The Government will review vendor responses for market research purposes only. The Government does not intend to provide a response to submissions for this RFI, but the Government reserves the right to hold a technical information exchange meeting with all, none or some of the submitters, after review of the RFI submissions, at the agency’s discretion.