Testing RFI and Sources Sought.v6.5.pdf

TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

TESTING SUPPORT SERVICES RE-COMPETITION

SOURCES SOUGHT / REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

DOCUMENT NO. TSA25-04-0500

I. INTRODUCTION

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is issuing this combined Sources Sought /

Request for Information (hereinafter RFI) to: (i) improve TSA’s understanding of market capabilities, (ii) solicit industry’s capabilities and input on TSA’s testing support requirements and (iii) obtain feedback on how TSA’s testing support requirements can be more efficiently and/or cost effectively structured.

Responses to this RFI will help support TSA’s acquisition strategy for the testing support services re-competition.

All interested and qualified businesses are encouraged to respond to this RFI in accordance with the instructions provided below.

This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. There is no solicitation document presently available. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked “Proprietary” will be handled accordingly. The Government will not return or pay for any information provided in response to this announcement; no basis for a claim against the Government shall arise as a result from a response to this notice or

Government use of any information provided. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this announcement or participating in meetings with the

Government.

TSA may or may not conduct additional market research efforts for the testing support requirements.

All questions or requests for clarification regarding this RFI should be submitted via email to

Joseph.Furtek@tsa.dhs.gov with copies to Heather.Karle@tsa.dhs.gov and

Christina.Cook@tsa.dhs.gov by August 8, 2025, 10:00 am. The subject of the email must be titled “Testing Support Services RFI – Questions – [Company Name].” TSA cannot guarantee that it will respond to any questions or requests for clarification regarding this RFI.

II. TESTING SUPPORT SERVICES BACKGROUND

Overview

TSA is required to conduct various types of testing on fielded and under-development

Transportation Security Equipment (TSE) that is used to screen passengers and baggage as well as on certain other equipment used by TSA. At a high-level, these tests can be divided into four main categories: (i) Developmental and Qualification Testing, (ii) Integrated Testing, (iii)

Acceptance Testing and (iv) Operational Testing.

Currently, TSA purchases these testing support services under four separate, commercial, single-award Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) each covering a different general type of testing and related services. TSA is interested in obtaining these services more effectively and/or cost efficiently as it enters the re-competition cycle for them.

The testing types and current BPAs are described in more detail, below.

Please note that TSA has not made any final decisions regarding the contract vehicle(s) to be used for the testing support services re-competition (i.e. contract type, contract vehicle, set asides, etc.).

Developmental Testing Support Services (DTSS)

Developmental Tests (DT) and Qualification Tests (QT) involve testing to verify whether a product, service, or system complies with regulations, policies, requirements, specifications, and constraints of the TSA operating environment.

DTSS involves both DT and QT as well as other ancillary services such as Program Management support. DTSS can include overall management and support for test planning, laboratory staging and logistics, test execution, data reduction and analysis, reporting, and laboratory space restoration.

TSA generally conducts DT and QT at the TSA System Integration Facility (TSIF) located near

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, however, travel to other locations may also be required.

During 2024, 150 test execution and data collection activities, 120 tours and demonstrations, and

540 other mission support events were conducted as part of DTSS. Tests were 1 to 40 business days in duration, with an average of 7 business days. The majority of other events were 1 day to

1 week in duration.

The current DTSS BPA was awarded under the General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple

Award Schedule (MAS) Professional Services Technical and Engineering Services (non-IT)

Category 541330 ENG: Engineering Services. The current BPA’s period of performance ends on

August 11, 2026. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the current BPA is 541330.

Integrated Testing Support Services (ITSS)

Integrated Testing involves conducting “integrated” testing of Checked Baggage Inspection

Systems (CBIS) and their various components as a “whole” system.

A CBIS can include items such as Explosive Detection Systems (EDS), Checked Baggage

Resolution Areas (CBRA), as well as various conveyor systems and baggage diverters involved in screening checked baggage at airports.

Integrated Testing is often conducted after major upgrades or enhancements are performed on the CBIS.

Integrated Testing requires team(s) of approximately eight testers including a test lead for each team and takes approximately two weeks per system. Simultaneous testing is often required at up to two separate locations.

ITSS involves both Integrated Testing as well as other ancillary services such as Program

Management.

As part of ITSS, travel is required generally to airports.

The current ITSS BPA was awarded under the GSA MAS Professional Services Technical and

Engineering Services (non-IT) Category 541330 ENG: Engineering Services. The current BPA’s period of performance ends on November 3, 2026. The NAICS code for the current BPA is

541330.

Acceptance Testing Support Services (ATSS)

Acceptance Testing involves testing passenger and checked baggage Transportation Security

Equipment (TSE) to verify that this equipment meets applicable standards before this TSE is accepted by TSA. Acceptance Testing is performed at factories (referred to as “Factory

Acceptance Testing” or “FAT”) and at various deployed locations (referred to as “Site

Acceptance Testing” or “SAT”).

Depending on the TSE being tested, each individual Acceptance Test may take between 1 and 4 hours per system. During a “typical” eight-hour day of testing, 1 to 4 types of TSE is tested.

ATSS involves both Acceptance Testing as well as other ancillary services such as Program

Management support.

As part of ATSS, travel is required, generally to airports (or other TSA locations), factories, and other similar locations located throughout the United States.

The current ATSS BPA was awarded under the GSA MAS Professional Services Technical and

Engineering Services (non-IT) Category 541330 ENG: Engineering Services. The current BPA’s period of performance ends on January 2, 2027. The NAICS code for the current BPA is 541330.

Operational Testing

Operational Testing involves testing TSE systems and technologies to validate that new or modified systems are operationally effective, suitable, and resilient for use by TSA and that the infrastructure is ready to accept the system. Examples of this type of testing would be testing X-rays, metal detectors, or various IT systems and supporting various field-testing events.

Operational Testing focuses on evaluating whether or not performance and operational requirements are met, and all issues are resolved.

TSA conducts Operational Testing at field sites using field-representative personnel with production-representative systems.

At a high level, Operational Testing can be divided into two broad categories of services – test

Planning, Analysis, and Reporting (PAR) and data collection. During PAR, Operational Tests are planned, and the results from them are analyzed and documented. During data collection, actual operational level data is collected.

OTSS involves both Operational Testing as well as other ancillary services such as Program

Management support.

As part of OTSS, travel is required, generally to airports (or other TSA locations) located throughout the United States and, potentially, overseas.

The current OTSS BPA was awarded under the GSA MAS Professional Services Technical and

Engineering Services (non-IT) Category 541330 ENG: Engineering Services. The current BPA’s period of performance ends on September 15, 2027. The NAICS code for the current BPA is

541330.

III. INDUSTRY RESPONSE

Responses to TSA’s Questions / Areas for Input (White Paper)

In order to improve the testing support requirements and help TSA structure the requirements more efficiently and/or cost effectively, Responders are requested to provide written responses to

TSA’s Questions / Areas for Input in the form of a White Paper for requirements that they have the capability to support.

TSA’s Questions / Areas for Input can be found in Attachments 1A – 1D of this RFI.

Please note that Responders do not need to complete a White Paper for all of the requirements

(i.e. DTSS, ITSS, ATSS and OTSS), only those requirements that they wish to provide input on.

White Papers shall not include “pitch” or “capabilities” statements – TSA is primarily interested in how the requirements can be improved.

As part of the White Papers, Responders are invited to provide other relevant feedback and/or suggestions for how the requirements can be improved and/or better structured.

Responders do not need to provide answers to all of the Questions / Areas for Input. These are merely intended to help focus responses.

White Paper shall not exceed twenty (20) pages in length per requirement.

The Government does not intend to provide feedback nor answer questions submitted by industry as part of their White Paper(s).

White Paper(s) shall be returned via email to Joseph.Furtek@tsa.dhs.gov with copies to

Heather.Karle@tsa.dhs.gov and Christina.Cook@tsa.dhs.gov by August 22, 2025 10:00 am. The subject of the email must be titled “Testing Support Services – White Paper [Requirement] –

[Company Name].” For Requirement, indicate DTSS, ITSS, ATSS or OTSS.

Responses not received by the closing date and time may not be considered by the TSA.

Cover Letter and Capability Statement

Submissions of White Papers must be accompanied by a Cover Letter and Capability Statement

(separate cover letters are required for each submission).

The Cover Letter shall identify the company name, address, DUNS number, point of contact

(including name, title, email address and phone number), as well as the company’s business size based upon NAICS Code 541330 "Engineering Services" with a size standard of $25.5 million.

The Capability Statement shall:

• List all GSA schedules that your company holds, including schedule name and period of performance.

• List all DHS Strategic Sourcing Vehicles that your company is a contractor under, including the vehicle’s name and period of performance.

• List all non-DHS Strategic Sourcing Vehicles that your company is a contractor under, including the vehicle’s name and period of performance.

• Provide your recommended contract vehicle for obtaining these services (i.e. open market

(IDIQ), GSA Schedule (specify which), DHS Strategic Sourcing Vehicle (specify which) or non-DHS Strategic Sourcing Vehicle (specify which).

• On a scale of 1 (Least Likely) to 10 (Most Likely), how likely are you to participate in each of the re-competitions?

• What can the Government do to increase your participation in the re-competitions?

There is no page limit on the Cover Letters or Capability Statement, however, Responders should only provide the requested information.

The Government does not intend to provide feedback nor answer questions submitted by industry via the Cover Letter or Capability Statement.

One-on-One Meetings (Optional)

The Government may reach out to Responders who provide a White Paper for at least one of the requirements (i.e. DTSS, ITSS, ATSS or OTSS) to provide additional suggestions and feedback on the requirements. These meetings are intended to be an open discussion between industry and the Government. Each meeting is anticipated to take approximately 1-2 hours, however, they may be extended at the discretion of the Government.

IV. ATTACHMENTS

Attachment No. Attachment Name

Attachment 1A DTSS Questions and Areas for Input

Attachment 1B ITSS Questions and Areas for Input

Attachment 1C ATSS Questions and Areas for Input

Attachment 1D OTSS Requestions and Areas for Input

Attachment 2 Developmental Testing Request for Quote 70T04021Q7672N007 A00001

Attachment 3 Acceptance Testing and Integrated Testing Request for Quote 70T04021Q7672N001

A00005

Attachments 3A – 3H Acceptance Testing and Integrated Testing Request for Quote Attachments

Attachment 4 Operational Testing Request for Quote 70T04022Q7672N007 A00001

Attachments 4A – 4C Operational Testing Request for Quote Attachments

Please note, that Attachments 2-4 are the Requests for Quote for the existing testing support services BPAs. Responders are cautioned that the actual requirements may differ significantly from what is in Attachments 2-4. The Government may, ultimately, elect not to solicit for these requirements or pursue a different path to acquire them. The Government has elected to utilize the Requests for Quote for the existing testing support services BPAs to avoid the possibility of sharing contactor proprietary information which is included in the actual BPAs (such as pricing etc.). Estimated values within these attachments are for informational purposes only – do not assume that the value of the re-competes will be in line with these estimated values.