Request for Information (RFI): Third-Party Testing of TSA Screening & Security Equipment

Request for Information (RFI): Third-Party Testing of TSA Screening & Security Equipment

Issued By:
 Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
 RFI Title:
 Third-Party Testing of TSA Screening and Security Equipment
 RFI Number: TSA25-04-0502
 Issue Date: August 6, 2025
 Response Due Date: September 6, 2025
 Point of Contact:
 Joseph R. Furtek, Contracting Officer
 Joseph.Furtek@tsa.dhs.gov
 571-227-5602

1. Purpose

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to assess capabilities and qualifications of interested parties to test TSA screening and security equipment performance and safety in laboratory and/or operational environments to include interoperability, throughput, reliability, maintainability, and availability.

TSA screening and security equipment includes but is not limited to full-body scanners, E-gates, explosives detection systems, carry-on property scanners with and without automated conveyance systems, and biometric ID systems.

2. Background

TSA currently maintains a robust test and evaluation organization to support all testing for TSA to include acquisition support, concept of operation development, process improvement, and threat mitigation. TSA utilizes a Third-Party Testing (TPT) framework, which details procedures for conducting early testing and accepting TPT data to demonstrate a system’s likelihood to efficiently complete TSA’s testing process.

To expedite the assessment of innovative technologies that potentially increase passenger throughput and enhance passenger experience, TSA is seeking to vet and approve interested parties to conduct testing and provide test data. TSA’s independent test agency needs to certify or qualify candidate screening and security technologies in accordance with TSA’s operational performance requirements and specifications.

This testing will support current TSA acquisitions and new GoldPlus public-private screening mode acquisitions, enabling broader access to qualified technologies for both government and private operators.

3. Scope of Testing Activities

Respondents should indicate their capability and interest in performing one or more of the following testing-related services:

• Functional Qualification Testing (e.g., threat detection accuracy, biometric match rate, throughput capacity)
• Safety & Compliance Testing (e.g., radiation, RF emissions, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, user privacy)
• Interoperability & Integration Testing (e.g., API validation with TSA backend systems, digital ID systems)
• Environmental & Durability Testing (e.g., vibration, temperature, tamper-resistance)
• Cybersecurity & Data Handling Assessments (e.g., encryption, access control, audit logs)

Tested technologies may include but are not limited to:

• Millimeter-wave body scanners
• Computed Tomography baggage scanners
• Explosive trace detectors
• Biometric-enabled E-gates and kiosks
• Digital identity verification platforms
• Automated passenger screening systems
• Emerging AI-based anomaly detection tools

4. Goals and Benefits

TSA is seeking to establish a scalable, standardized testing ecosystem to:

• Accelerate the qualification of new and innovative technologies
• Streamline testing and reduce bottlenecks
• Increase access, improve transparency, and enhance collaboration to maintain a level playing field for all technology providers
• Ensure equipment used by GoldPlus and other TSA programs meets consistent performance standards

5. Requested Information

Interested parties are invited to submit a response including the following:

A. Organizational Information

• Name, address, website
• Type of organization (e.g., commercial lab, university-affiliated, NRTL, etc.)
• Relevant certifications (e.g., ISO/IEC 17025, NIST NVLAP, CB Scheme, FedRAMP, etc.)

B. Areas of Technical Expertise

• Specific screening/security systems tested historically
• Details of scope and purpose of those historic tests
• Categories of equipment you are capable of certifying
• Cybersecurity and digital ID testing capabilities, if applicable

C. Facilities & Infrastructure

• Location of testing facilities
• Laboratory accreditation details
• Availability of specialized testing environments (e.g., Faraday cages, blast chambers)
• Availability of specialized testing equipment and resources (e.g., tools, instrumentation)

D. Testing Framework & Quality Assurance

• Testing methodology
• Internal quality control processes
• Chain of custody and data protection protocols

E. TSA Alignment

• Familiarity with TSA or DHS operational environments
• Experience working with U.S. federal agencies or federal contractors
• Suggestions for how TSA can best standardize and oversee third-party testing

F. Estimated Turnaround Times and Cost Models

• Typical lead times for testing
• Capacity and volume of testing (e.g. ability to test multiple pieces and types of equipment simultaneously).
• Pricing structures (e.g., per-device, per-category, flat rate, subscription)
• Opportunities for economies of scale or bundling

6. Submission Instructions

Responses should be submitted in PDF format via email to:
 Joseph.Furtek@tsa.dhs.gov
 Subject line: “RFI Response – Third-Party Testing of TSA Screening and Security Equipment”

Deadline: September 6, 2025, 12:00 PM Eastern

7. Additional Notes

• This RFI is not a solicitation for procurement or contract.
• Responses will be used for market research purposes only.
• TSA may schedule follow-up meetings or site visits with selected respondents.
• Respondents may indicate information they consider proprietary or confidential.

8. Future Engagement

Based on responses, TSA may issue a formal Request for Qualifications (RFQ) or Request for Proposal (RFP) to establish a panel or list of authorized third-party test labs.

Respondents are encouraged to offer suggestions for third-party test frameworks, collaborative models, and metrics TSA should consider in evaluating testing partners.