National Hazardous Materials Management & Disposal Services (VAP)

Prior to passage of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA), Pub.L. 107 71, the air carriers were responsible for the screening of commercial air carrier passengers. They also were responsible for the collection and disposition of all prohibited items, including hazardous materials. With the passage of ATSA, TSA became responsible for the screening of these passengers. 49 U.S.C. §44901(a).
As a result, TSA determined that it had the legal responsibility to accept prohibited and hazardous items abandoned by passengers at security checkpoints. Having accepted the property, TSA is legally liable for the disposition of abandoned or forfeited personal property. Hazardous materials, if not otherwise donated per 41 CFR 101-42.304, must be disposed of in accordance with Federal and state laws and regulations. 42 U.S.C. §6901 et seq.
In 2003, TSA issued the National Voluntarily Abandoned Property and Hazardous Material Disposal Contract to assist with the management, disposition and disposal of the prohibited and hazardous items abandoned by passengers at security checkpoints. In April 2005, TSA added lighters to the prohibited item list as directed by Congress in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. Liquids, Gels, and Aerosols (LGA) were also added to the prohibited list in August 2006 while lighters were removed from the prohibited list in August 2007. As a result, the type and amount of hazardous items abandoned by passengers at security checkpoints have changed and increased in quantity since April 2005.
TSA requires a Contractor to provide all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, vehicles, supervision, and other items and services necessary to perform hazard materials management and disposal for approximately 450 airport locations (and ancillary TSA offices when necessary). The number of airports and airport locations is subject to change throughout the life of any resultant contract depending on privatization and Federalization decisions, new airports opening, the operation of seasonal airports or reorganizations that affect TSA operations. Services shall be performed for all airports/collections areas. The Contractor must meet or exceed all Federal, State, and local regulations.