A small group of Republicans and Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee has introduced a bill to reform the acquisition process at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) by calling for a multi-year acquisition plan, making better use of equipment inventories, and better justifying the need to buy new systems in the first place.
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The Transportation Security Administration Acquisition Reform Act (H.R. 2719) requires the agency to develop a multi-year strategic plan for buying security-related technologies to include security risks and technology gaps, technology acquisition roadmaps, acquisition workforce needs, and necessary supporting testing, evaluation and simulation capabilities. The bill requires TSA to work with key Department of Homeland Security Offices to develop the plan, including the Management , Science and Technology, and Chief Information Officer offices.
Another provision of the bill requires TSA to conduct a comprehensive analysis justifying a particular acquisition that would include a cost-benefit study of the lifecycle costs versus the security benefits and versus alternative security solutions.
“My top priorities as chairman of the [Homeland Security] Transportation Security Subcommittee are to improve transparency and accountability within TSA and lead TSA to a more risk-based, passenger-friendly future that protects taxpayer interests,” Rep. Richard Hudson (R-S.C.), said in a statement last Thursday. “The bipartisan piece of legislation introduced today includes commonsense reforms that create a multi-year acquisitions plan, establish cost-benefit analysis, improve TSA’s engagement with small business, and efficiently track and manage equipment in inventory.”
Hudson co-sponsored the bill with Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the committee chairman, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), the ranking member on the committee, and Rep. Cedric Redmond (D-La.), the ranking member on the subcommittee.
Other provisions in the measure include directing that baseline program requirements be established and tracked, including cost estimates, schedule, milestones and risks, and that goals be published for contracting with small and disadvantaged businesses and that an annual progress report on small business contracting be sent to Congress.