On-Person Screening and Alarm Resolution Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), through its Requirements and Capabilities Analysis (RCA) division, has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) (70T04026BAA7573N001) seeking concept papers for development projects. The goal is to enhance On-Person Screening (OPS) and Alarm Resolution (AR) processes to strengthen the agency's ability to respond to threats and improve screening efficiency. This is a full and open competition. Concept papers are due May 29, 2026.
Scope of Work
The BAA targets development opportunities across specific Technical Topic Areas (TTAs) within two tracks:
- Track 01 (OPS): Focuses on technologies for Limited Mobility screening, Footwear Screening, Touchless Resolution, and Emerging On-Person Technologies. Technologies must have a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5 or higher.
- Track 02 (AR): Focuses on Tabletop X-Ray Diffraction for Alarm Resolution. Technologies must have a TRL of 4 or higher. TSA is interested in both demonstration/evaluation of existing prototype systems and R&D efforts to increase TRLs or system performance. Submissions should show a clear path to practical TSA applications within 12-18 months.
Contract Details
The TSA anticipates awarding firm fixed-price (FFP) contracts and/or Bailment Agreements. Cost-plus-fixed-fee or time-and-materials contract types are not options. Funding is contingent on the TSA RCA's current fiscal year spend plan. The "estimated price" in concept papers should detail the funding required for the proposed concept, including a breakdown of tasks. TSA may assert data rights for software and algorithms developed under this BAA.
Submission & Evaluation
- Concept Paper Submission Deadline: May 29, 2026, 2:00 PM Eastern Time.
- Full Proposal Submission Deadline: June 26, 2026 (for invited offerors).
- Estimated Contract Award: September 30, 2026. Concept papers will be evaluated for entrance criteria before full proposals are requested. Evaluation considers scientific and technical merits, TRL, maturity, relevance to TSA objectives, offeror capabilities, proposed costs, and fund availability. Submissions must be unclassified. Offerors must register in SAM prior to award.
Key Requirements & Clarifications
Offerors should submit one Concept Paper per TTA, even if their technology applies to multiple areas. The opportunity includes stringent requirements for Section 508 accessibility, comprehensive cybersecurity and information assurance, Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM), FedRAMP for cloud services, and proper handling of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). A Configuration Management Plan (CMP) outlines processes for all Transportation Security Equipment (TSE) hardware, firmware, software, and documentation. TSA is interested in technologies that simplify AR processes, improve operational efficiency, and reduce cognitive burden, with potential for increased automation.