Transportation Security Innovative Concepts Broad Agency Annoucement

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is interested in receiving concept papers and proposals for research projects that support the TSA mission of ensuring the safety of the nation’s transportation. To this end, TSA seeks research across broad strategic areas which offer potential for advancement and improvement of TSA security operations, technologies, processes, human-factors, and capabilities. TSA is specifically interested in research that will provide for near term improvement of current security operations and capabilities. The strategic areas of interest have historically revolved around:

  • Passenger and Baggage Screening
  • Threat Assessment and Dissemination
  • Cargo Screening
  • Credentialing
  • Exit Lane Control
  • A formal Request for Proposals (RFP), other solicitation, or additional information regarding this announcement will not be issued. Readers should note that this is an announcement to declare TSA’s broad role in competitive funding of meritorious research across a spectrum of science and engineering disciplines.
    The TSA will not issue paper copies of this announcement. TSA reserves the right to fund all, some or none of the proposals received in response to this BAA, a factor of which will depend upon availability of funds. TSA provides no funding for direct reimbursement of proposal development costs. Technical and cost proposals (or any other material) submitted in response to this BAA will not be returned. It is the policy of TSA to treat all proposals as sensitive competitive information and to disclose their contents for the purposes of evaluation.Please note that from the initial start date of 30 May 2014 through 30 August 2014, acceptance of all new BAA submissions (concept papers and proposals) will be suspended in order to allow the TSA to review and evaluate all existing submissions (submitted under previous BAA) and to finalize plans to implement a new, more focused BAA review and evaluation process. The new BAA process will seek to improve the quality of offeror submissions, efficiency of proposal evaluation and effectiveness in the fulfillment of TSA’s mission objectives. A high level view, subject to change, of the new BAA process that the TSA anticipates implementing is attached to this BAA solicitation. An amendment to the BAA will be issued prior to 1 September 2014 that officially implements the new BAA process. Upon issuance of the amendment, offerors may resume BAA submissions in accordance with the new process guidelines implemented.

    Added: Jun 06, 2014 5:05 pm

    The BAA has been amended to now accept new BAA submissions during the period of time that the TSA is working to finalize the new BAA review and evaluation process. As such, Sections A.5 and C.1 have been updated.

    Added: Sep 08, 2014 5:14 pm

    The BAA has been updated to continue to accept new BAA submissions until further notice as the TSA continues to finalize the new BAA review and evaluation process.   An amendment to the solicitation will be released prior to commencement of the new process, and the new submission procedures  shall be implemented at that time.   

    As such, Sections A.5 and C.1 have been updated.

    Added: Apr 28, 2015 12:06 pm

    The purpose of this amendment to the Transportation Security Administration Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) HSTS04-14-R-BAA004 is to:
    1. Update the BAA with the amended process. The amended BAA can be viewed via Attachment 1.
    2. Change the Points of Contacts for BAA submissions. The new Points of Contact are:
    Contract Specialist
    Josh Lim
    [email protected]
    571-227-3409
    Contracting Officer
    Yolanda Stone
    [email protected]
    (571) 227-1750

Innovation Fast Track

EXCLUSIVE TO CENTER MEMBERS: Log in to explore your Innovation Fast Track, an online portal that gives you one-stop access to center researchers, funding opportunities, exclusive events and more.

Learn More
Student Central

Students, get connected with Industry Partners, find out about research and volunteer opportunities within ALERT, or get advice on how to best showcase your work at Student Central.

Learn More
The Partnership

ALERT is led by Northeastern University (NEU) and includes three key academic strategic partners: Boston University, Purdue University, and University of Rhode Island (URI).

Learn More