The Office of Security Capabilities (OSC) supports TSA’s mission by providing security capabilities to the field. OSC continues to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of our nation’s transportation systems through the qualification and deployment of security capabilities that drive the global standard for security.
The TSA OSC previously awarded multiple IDIQs for Test and Evaluation Support Services (TESS) to two (2) awardees: TASC, Inc. (HSTS0410DST3065) and Battelle Memorial Institute (HSTS0410DST3066). Battelle is providing the TSIF Testing Support Services.
The government competed the follow-on under three separate TESS acquisitions for TSA OSC:
- Acceptance Testing Opp ID 95724;
- Development Testing (this Opportunity); and
- Operational Testing (Opp ID 112396).
The TSIF Test program is responsible for planning and executing technical testing and other data collection events in order to provide credible data and information regarding the extent to which Transportation Security Equipment (TSE) meets TSA’s mission requirements and needs.
The TSIF Test program is housed within the Office of Security Capabilities (OSC). The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Systems Integration Facility (TSIF) is a 128,000 square foot test facility located at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, VA. The TSIF enables OSC to evaluate transportation security systems, support infrastructure, and mission profiles in a controlled environment.
The TSIF Test Program supports APM’s mission and goals by planning and executing technical testing and other data collection events in order to provide credible data and information regarding the extent to which Transportation Security Equipment (TSE) meets TSA’s mission requirements and needs.
The TSIF enables AAPM to evaluate transportation security systems, support infrastructure, and mission profiles in a controlled environment.
The TSIF laboratory test areas include:
- Checked baggage screening laboratories consisting of:
- Two baggage handling systems capable of integrating nine (9) checked baggage screening systems.
- A “stand-alone” checked baggage screening systems area
- Passenger screening laboratory
- Cargo detection system screening area
- Explosives Trace Detection (ETD) laboratory
- Test Article Preparation area hosting a variety of manufacturing equipment and tools
- A Modeling and Simulation Laboratory
The primary area of responsibility of the TSIF Test Program is to design and execute Developmental Tests (DT) and Qualification Tests (QT) to verify whether a product, service or system complies with regulations, policies, requirements, specifications, or constraints of the TSA and operating environment.
The TSIF test program supports a wide variety of TSA customers. Efforts range from small scale tests, demonstrations, and tours to elaborate comparative performance tests. Examples of such activities include validation of training packages, standard operating procedure development, and validation, and hosting technical information exchanges. The comparative performance tests generally involve a statistically sound experimental design to compare baseline processes/systems against alternatives.
