Transportation Security Administration’s Open Architecture Initiatives

********************Update to Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Open Architecture (OA) initiatives notice.**************************************

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is posting this announcement to provide interested entities an opportunity to obtain access to information (up to Sensitive Security Information (SSI)) regarding the next generation Open Architecture (OA) solutions and applications. 

The goal of sharing this information is to provide industry an understanding of the next generation OA solutions and applications and enable them to provide feedback to TSA. Industry feedback will help TSA understand industry capability and product development for OA solutions and applications and allow TSA to gauge viability of future Open Architecture requirements. Industry feedback received early in the planning and development process will provide TSA necessary information for decision making. Additionally, industry feedback may identify opportunities for Industry to participate in non-funded OA proof-of-concepts/demonstrations of prototypes that work with TSA Open Architecture solutions.

Requests for OA SSI access, shall include specified information as listed in the attached document titled "Open Architecute Vetting Instructions" and shall be submitted to the address provided in the "Open Architecute Vetting Instructions" document no later than 2:00 PM EST on February 28, 2025.

********************Update to Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Open Architecture (OA) initiatives notice.**************************************

TSA has updated the "OAStakeholderComment Form" with Instructions.  Please utilize the attached "OAStakeholderComment FormRev1" for all comments to be submitted no later than September 30, 2024.

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Update to Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Open Architecture (OA) initiatives notice.******************

**************************************Update to Request for Information (RFI) 70T04024I7573N001.****************************************

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is extending the attached Request for Information (RFI) 70T04024I7573N001 written response due date to no later than Friday, June 7, 2024 at 12:00pm EDT to siobhan.mullen@tsa.dhs.gov and siobhan.lawson@tsa,dhs.gov. It is the Respondent’s responsibility to ensure the Government receives the Respondent’s email submission.

********************Update to Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Open Architecture (OA) initiatives notice.******************

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is issuing the attached Request for Information (RFI) 70T04024I7573N001 to conduct market research to better understand vendor capabilities, qualifications, approaches, costs, risks, and technical challenges with system components and subsystems of TSA’s open architecture vision of a connected transportation security system of systems.   

Written questions concerning this RFI should be emailed to siobhan.mullen@tsa.dhs.gov and siobhan.lawson@tsa.dhs.gov no later than May 17, 2024 at 12:00pm EDT,  Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions.

Respondents shall provide written responses to this RFI no later than Monday, June 3, 2024 at 12:00pm EDT to siobhan.mullen@tsa.dhs.gov and siobhan.lawson@tsa,dhs.gov. It is the Respondent’s responsibility to ensure the Government receives the Respondent’s email submission.

This RFI is issued solely for market research, planning, and information purposes in order to assist TSA. The Government will review vendor responses for market research purposes only. The Government does not intend to provide a response to submissions for this RFI, but the Government reserves the right to hold a technical information exchange meeting with all, none or some of the submitters, after review of the RFI submissions, at the agency’s discretion.

********************Update to Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Open Architecture (OA) initiatives notice.******************

Opening of comment period:

This update is to provide notice that TSA is opening the comment period and requesting feedback from industry partners on TSA’s Open Architecture (OA) solutions to include the Digital Imaging and Communications in Security (DICOS) Software Development Kit (SDK), Open Platform Software Library (OPSL) SDK, and associated related solutions. Please complete the attached comment form and submit the OASupport@tsa.dhs.gov to document inputs regarding the current scope of the SDKs or proposed features or capabilities to be implemented in a future version. The comment period closes on September 30, 2024. TSA expects to establish a consistent structure to provide open comment periods in the future and all comments received after the comment period close will be considered as part of the next comment period.

Comments will be reviewed and adjudicated by the TSA Technical Review Committee as they are received.  After review, some may be included in a future SDK release. TSA intends to post or share responses to the comments received, outline the features or capabilities that are approved for future implementation, and share the expected development plans to support continued collaboration in the establishment of common and accessible data and interface standards. Additional communication will be forthcoming after the comment period closes regarding next steps.

Disclaimer

This Request for Comments is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this request will be considered anonymous. 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. This request does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or any commitment or intent to issue an RFP, Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), or solicitation. Not responding to this request does not preclude participation in any future solicitation. The information provided in this request is subject to change and is not binding on TSA. All submissions become the property of TSA and will not be returned. Additionally, it should be noted that TSA is requesting information to identify various solutions to support open architecture that are currently available or being developed.

Contact OASupport@tsa.dhs.gov to request access to the latest versions of the SDKs and relevant documentation as needed.

TSA reserves the right to hold technical information exchange meetings with all, none, or some of the submitters at the agency’s discretion.

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**********TSA Open Architecture Industry Day – June 18, 2024********

Introduction

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is hosting an Industry Day on TSA’s Open Architecture (OA) initiatives, and invites industry, academia, national labs, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) components, and government stakeholders to attend. The objectives of the Industry Day are to:

• Share updates on TSA’s OA activities and implementation plan to meet the goals and objectives outlined in TSA’s Draft OA Foundational Roadmap (posted to TSA.gov in July 2023; https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/open-architecture) 
• Discuss TSA’s user-driven approach to developing and maintaining TSA’s OA-enabled solutions
• Provide an overview of the OA demonstration conducted at the TSA Systems Integration Facility (TSIF) and future activities
• Collaboratively engage with stakeholders on topics regarding accelerating OA and future partnerships

Background

TSA’s mission is to protect the Nation’s transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce. To achieve this mission in an evolving threat environment, TSA must prioritize being an agile and flexible organization which can rapidly field innovative screening solutions capable of improving TSA’s security posture. Leveraging an OA design approach will allow TSA to improve its security posture, support its frontline workforce, and promote an improved customer experience.

OA is a design approach in which equipment components, such as software and hardware, are standards-based and interoperable to allow a wide range of industry partners to create improved subcomponents (i.e,  new detection algorithms, user interfaces, reporting systems). Using this approach will allow TSA to establish a superior transportation security System of Systems (SoS) that interact with each other and provide a unique capability that cannot be accomplished independently.

In July 2023, TSA published the TSA OA Roadmap (Roadmap). The Roadmap serves as a foundation for providing TSA’s vision, goals, and objectives to establish a connected transportation security SoS, using OA guiding principles. The Roadmap guides TSA’s OA activities and identifies short-term (within 3 years) and long-term (more than 3 years) needs to sustain success. It informs the development and management of other strategic plans, roadmaps and implementation plans across the TSA enterprise. This Industry Day supports Goal 1 of the Roadmap which outlines TSA’s commitment to Engagement with government, industry, and stakeholder organizations and specifically meets the Objective 1.1 to “Communicate and coordinate strategic and programmatic initiatives with government, and industry stakeholders organization and facilitate ongoing engagement.”

Event Date, Time, and Location

Event Name

TSA Open Architecture Industry Day

Date

June 18, 2024

Time

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.                 

Location

TSA Headquarters

6595 Springfield Center Drive

Springfield, VA 22150

Event Description

The full day event will include presentations and panel discussions across multiple relevant topic areas.

Tentative Agenda Attached

Attendees

Attendees should include representatives from institutions/companies within the aviation security industry or who work with aviation security technology. This may include federal labs, universities, and third parties that may find the presentations valuable to their research and development as related to the TSA mission. Small businesses are encouraged to attend.

Registration

This event is free, however advanced registration and approval of attendees by TSA is required. Due to space limitations, only two (2) representatives from each interested institution/company are allowed to attend. All attendees shall register by providing an email via a single point of contact per institution/company, to include the following information for each attendee:

1. Institution/Company Name
2. Institution/Company Type (e.g., OEM or equipment manufacturer, university, national lab, consultant) and Size
3. Individual Attendee Information (Limited to two (2) persons)
   • Name and Title
   • Email Address
   • Phone Number
   • Date of Birth
   • Citizenship
4. Any Advanced Questions/Topics for the Panel Discussions

This information shall be provided via email in a password protected attachment.  A separate email providing the password shall be sent immediately thereafter. For non-U.S. citizens, additional personal information may be requested.

Registration requests must be submitted to ORCATechnologyConference@tsa.dhs.gov, no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT on May 1, 2024.  Vetting will be completed by TSA and a final confirmation email with additional event details will be sent no later than May 31, 2024, to those who are authorized to attend the TSA Open Architecture Industry Day.

All questions in regards to this announcement and the Industry Day itself shall be addressed in writing to the following recipient: Sharlene.Williams@tsa.dhs.gov.

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*******TSA Open Architecture Industry Day - April 27, 2023 ********

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is hosting an Industry Day on April 27, 2023 on TSA’s Open Architecture (OA) initiatives and invites industry, academia, Department of Homeland Security components, congressional representatives, national labs, and government stakeholders to attend. The objectives of the Industry Day are to:

• Discuss TSA’s OA strategy and activities as outlined in TSA’s Open Architecture Strategic Roadmap (draft posted to Sam.gov on February 9, 2023)
• Discuss key components of TSA’s OA approach
• Share potential TSA opportunities related to OA
• Collaboratively engage with stakeholders and share information and ideas on TSA’s OA approach and discuss intended path forward

This event is free, however advanced registration and approval of attendees by TSA is required. The registration request with all information (see attachment for required information) must be submitted to email address ORCATechnologyConference@tsa.dhs.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT on April 19, 2023.  

Vetting will be completed by TSA and a final confirmation email with additional details regarding access will be sent to those authorized to attend.

All questions in regards to this announcement and the Industry Day itself shall be addressed in writing to the following recipient: Justin.Keear1@TSA.DHS.gov.

See attached document titled "TSA OA Industry Day Announcement" for additional information.

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The purpose of this notice is to streamline and consolidate industry engagement and feedback related to Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Open Architecture (OA) initiatives. It is expected that TSA will release multiple open architecture artifacts and this notice serves as the centralized point for future efforts. This notice will be updated as appropriate.

The TSA’s mission is to protect the nation’s transportation systems to ensure the freedom of movement for people and commerce. To achieve this mission in an evolving threat environment, TSA must remain an agile and flexible organization that can rapidly field innovative screening solutions that improve TSA’s security posture. It is essential that TSA implements these innovative screening solutions in a manner that supports the Transportation Security Officer in conducting the critical screening functions and improves the passenger experience.

Open Architecture is a design approach where components, such as software and hardware, are standards-based and interoperable to allow a wide range of industry partners to create improved subcomponents (e.g., new detection algorithms, user interfaces, reporting systems, etc.).  Leveraging an open architecture design approach will enable TSA to improve its security posture, support its frontline workforce, and promote an improved traveler experience. The successful implementation of this approach will require coordination across a wide range of partners to include government agencies, regulators, industry and international partners, national labs, academia, and airports.

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The attached Roadmap is being issued in draft form to elicit comments from Industry.  Comments are requested to be provided within twenty-one days of this posting/no later than March 2, 2023 via the attached Excel spreadsheet titled “OA Roadmap Industry Comments.” The Government will review Industry comments for market research purposes only. The Government does not intend to provide a response to comments submitted for this Roadmap; however, based on vendor comments, the Government may arrange a technical information exchange to clarify or expand on comments provided. This Roadmap does not commit the U.S. Government to any course of action in the future. The Government may or may not utilize Industry suggestions in finalizing the Roadmap and information based on comments may be shared with the public in the final draft of the Roadmap.  No proprietary information shall be provided by Industry.  Each respondent, by submitting comments, agrees that any costs incurred in providing comments shall be the sole responsibility of the respondent/vendor. The Government shall incur no obligations or liabilities whatsoever, to anyone, for costs or expenses incurred by the respondent/vendor in responding to this Request for Comments.

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The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is issuing the attached Request for Information (RFI) to conduct market research to better understand vendor capabilities, qualifications, approaches, costs, risks, and technical challenges with regard to TSA’s vision of a connected transportation security system of systems based on open architecture principles and solutions.  

Written questions concerning this RFI, should be emailed to siobhan.mullen@tsa.dhs.gov and siobhan.lawson@tsa.dhs.gov no later than 3:00pm EDT, February 20, 2023. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions.

Respondents shall provide written responses to this RFI no later than Friday, March 3, 2023 at 3:00pm EDT to siobhan.mullen@tsa.dhs.gov and siobhan.lawson@tsa,dhs.gov. It is the Respondent’s responsibility to ensure the Government receives the Respondent’s email submission.

This RFI is issued solely for market research, planning, and information purposes in order to assist TSA. The Government will review vendor responses for market research purposes only. The Government does not intend to provide a response to submissions for this RFI, but the Government reserves the right to hold a technical information exchange meeting with all, none or some of the submitters, after review of the RFI submissions, at the agency’s discretion.

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PLEASE NOTE: Written questions concerning this RFI, should be emailed to siobhan.mullen@tsa.dhs.gov and siobhan.lawson@tsa.dhs.gov no later than 3:00pm EDT, February 20, 2023. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions.

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****************Response date for RFI extended*************

Please note -- Respondents shall provide written responses to this RFI no later than Friday, March 10, 2023 at 3:00pm EST to siobhan.mullen@tsa.dhs.gov and siobhan.lawson@tsa,dhs.gov. It is the Respondent’s responsibility to ensure the Government receives the Respondent’s email submission.