The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has selected the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), L-1 Identity Solutions [ID] and Telos to provide aviation channeling services related to employees in the aviation sector. AAAE is the incumbent contractor. No monies have been awarded yet and the agency expects about 325,000 employee enrollments annually. The current enrollment fee is about $30 each, including the fee paid to the FBI for background checks. Through the aviation channeling service providers, employee data is collected and submitted to TSA to conduct employee threat assessments necessary to work in the aviation environment. The agency requires threat assessments be conducted for all airport and airline employees requiring access to the secure areas of an airport, including baggage workers, ground maintenance workers and restaurant and retail employees. “By expanding our channeling service agreements to AAAE, L-1 and Telos ID, we are providing choices to our aviation partners through open competition,” says Greg Wellen, assistant administrator for Transportation Threat Assessment and Credentialing at TSA. AAAE received a non-competitive award for channeling services in 2003. The three award recipients will undergo qualification testing and auditing to ensure compliance with policy and security requirements before TSA grants them the authority to operate.