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 an IDIQ level, and also details evaluation factors for airport-specific task orders. The government will use a best-value tradeoff approach, considering technical merit and risk alongside price, ensuring total contract cost remains at or below the Federal cost baseline.

• Factor 1 – Technology Solution & Innovation: Requires description of proposed technologies (TSA-certified or certifiable), how they improve security and passenger experience, lifecycle/refresh strategy, innovation mechanisms, logistics/sustainment, connectivity, and open architecture support. Evaluation focuses on technical maturity, modernity, adaptability, and deployment credibility.

• Factor 2 – Staffing & Workforce Management: Requires details on proposed staffing levels, management of peak/off-peak periods, hiring/vetting/training processes, and performance/morale monitoring. Evaluation assesses realism, sufficiency, and the ability to maintain a qualified workforce.

• Factor 3 – Performance & Outcome Management: Requires approach to measuring and managing security effectiveness, screening efficiency, and customer experience. Evaluation focuses on alignment with outcome-based metrics and transparency of data reporting.

• Factor 4 – Management Approach & Transition Plan: Requires description of governance structure, experience, and a detailed transition plan (hiring, installation, coordination, risk mitigation, continuity, and return to government operations). Evaluation assesses realism, completeness, and risk management.

• Factor 5 – Financial Capability & Business Stability: Requires demonstration of financial stability, sufficient capitalization for a 10-year contract, and financial risk management practices. Evaluation focuses on financial strength and resilience.

• Factor 6 – Past Performance & Relevant Experience: Requires up to three examples of relevant contracts demonstrating experience in similar environments and quality of performance. Evaluation assesses relevance and quality.

• Factor A – Airport-Specific Solution & Tailoring: Detailed description of how the solution will execute screening at the specific airport, aligning with airport layout, traffic, and community role. Evaluation assesses clarity and credibility of the day-to-day operation plan.

• Factor B – Innovative Concepts: Description of proposed innovations for the airport and their impact on security, throughput, and passenger experience.

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

• Factor D – Implementation Plan, Milestones, and Risk Management: High-level plan with milestones, success measures, and risk mitigation strategies.

• Factor E – Price / Cost for Airport-Specific Solution: Price proposal for the task order, demonstrating consistency with technical approach and remaining at or below the Government's cost baseline.

Proposals will be evaluated using a best-value tradeoff. Technical factors will receive a standard 1-5 adjectival rating. Price will be evaluated for reasonableness, realism, and consistency with the Federal cost baseline. Airport-specific task orders will be evaluated on how well the proposed capabilities are tailored to that specific 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.