Ruth Haines
The Screening Partnership Program (SPP) allows airports to hire private security agencies to conduct screenings instead of the TSA. Private screeners are not federal employees, so they continue to work and get paid during government shutdowns. Private screeners must follow all TSA screening policies and procedures and use TSA-approved equipment. Private screeners can also set their own staffing targets and hire contractors for non-essential jobs. The TSA has awarded cost-reimbursement contracts with an award fee component for screening services at four of the five airports currently using private screeners. The TSA plans to shift more cost risk to contractors by competitively awarding fixed-price-award fee contracts for screening services at smaller airports.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of airports with private screeners | 4 out of 5 airports have private screeners, 22-23 airports participate in the Screening Partnership Program (SPP) |
| Advantages of private screeners | Private companies can set their own staffing targets, hire contractors for non-essential jobs, and are not subject to government shutdowns |
| TSA's role | Works with intelligence and law enforcement communities, adjusts processes and procedures, and provides liability protection to private screening contractors and airports |
| TSA's cost structure | Cost-reimbursement contracts with an award fee component, TSA bears most of the cost risk, plans to shift more cost risk to contractors by competitively awarding fixed-price contracts |
| Performance goals | TSA has developed performance goals and is drafting measures and targets to assess the performance of private screening contractors |
| Screening policies | All private security agencies must follow TSA screening policies and procedures, use TSA-approved equipment, and adhere to the same procedures for passenger screening |
| Customer service | Private agencies are more desirable as they can provide faster responses to issues, frequent flyers, airport executives, and lawmakers prefer private screeners for accountability and quality of service |
| Liability protection | DHS has provided some liability protection to private screening contractors, including limits on damages under the SAFETY Act, Congress has granted airports legal protection from lawsuits |
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What You'll Learn
Private screeners are not subject to government shutdowns
Private screeners are hired and managed by private security companies, and they operate under the airport federal security director, who is a federal employee of the TSA. Private companies can set their own staffing targets and hire as many screeners as needed, which allows them to avoid the issues caused by government shutdowns.
The TSA has stated that the Screening Partnership Program (SPP) will operate at a cost competitive with federal operations and achieve cost savings where possible. Over the last three years, the TSA has awarded cost-reimbursement contracts with award fees based on contractor cost savings. However, there may be limited opportunities for TSA cost savings due to the risk of paying more than expected. To address this, the TSA plans to shift more cost risk to contractors by competitively awarding fixed-price contracts for screening services at larger airports.
DHS and Congress have begun to address the issue of liability protection for private screening contractors and airports using private screeners. DHS has already provided some liability protection to three of the four current private screening contractors, but they cannot provide additional coverage until the TSA finalizes performance standards.
In summary, private screeners are not subject to government shutdowns because they are employed by private companies and can continue their operations during a shutdown. This provides a more stable and efficient screening process at airports, even during periods of government funding lapses.
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Private screeners can set their own staffing targets
The Screening Partnership Program (SPP) allows airports to employ private security agencies to conduct screening, instead of having the TSA conduct them. Private screeners are not federal employees, and therefore they are not subject to government shutdowns. For example, during the government shutdown in 2019, the San Francisco International Airport did not experience any terminal checkpoint closures due to a lack of staffing, unlike other airports.
There are several benefits to using private screeners. Firstly, they can improve the quality of service and make the screening process more efficient. Private agencies can also be more responsive to issues, providing a faster resolution. Additionally, private screeners can help create more jobs, and they are not affected by government shutdowns, ensuring consistent staffing levels.
However, there are some challenges and considerations. The TSA bears most of the cost risk under the cost-reimbursement contracts, which may limit opportunities for cost savings. TSA plans to shift more cost risk to contractors by competitively awarding fixed-price contracts for screening services, particularly at smaller airports. There are also considerations regarding liability protection for private screening contractors and airports, with ongoing discussions around the level of protection that can be offered.
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Private screeners can be more expensive than federal operations
The Screening Partnership Program (SPP) allows airports to employ private security agencies to conduct screening instead of the TSA. Private screeners are required to follow all TSA screening policies and procedures and use TSA-approved equipment.
While the TSA has stated that the SPP will operate at a cost that is competitive with equivalent federal operations, there may be limited opportunities for TSA cost savings. Under the cost-reimbursement contracts, the TSA bears most of the cost risk and may end up paying more than expected.
To address this, the TSA plans to shift more cost risk to contractors by competitively awarding fixed-price-award-fee contracts. However, TSA officials have acknowledged that they need additional cost information based on the actual costs of participating in the SPP for larger airports.
Furthermore, private screening contractors require liability protection, which has been partially provided by the DHS under the SAFETY Act. However, the most extensive level of protection cannot be provided until performance standards are finalized to ascertain whether contractors are performing as intended.
Overall, while private screeners offer certain advantages such as improved staffing flexibility and accountability, they may also come at a higher cost to the TSA and require careful consideration of liability protections.
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Private screeners are held to the same standards as federal employees
Private screening companies are subject to the same security standards as federal employees. While private screeners are hired and managed by private security companies, they operate under the airport federal security director, who is a federal employee of the TSA.
The TSA's screening procedures are intended to prevent prohibited items and other threats to transportation security from entering the sterile area of the airport. All screeners, whether private or federal, must adhere to the same procedures. This includes the screening of carry-on bags for explosives and other dangerous items, as well as the screening of electronic devices. Private screeners must also comply with all TSA security screening procedures and are held to the same standards as their federally employed counterparts.
In addition, all employees in screener jobs, regardless of whether they are private or federal, must complete the same background checks and medical examinations. They must also attend training at the TSA Academy, located at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia. This training ensures that private screeners are knowledgeable about TSA procedures and can effectively carry out their duties.
Private screening companies determine the number of contract screeners hired, allowing them to manage operations efficiently while meeting security and customer service standards. This flexibility in staffing can be advantageous for airports, as they can set their own targets and hire as many screeners as needed. Additionally, private companies can hire contractors for non-essential jobs, such as moving bins or reminding passengers of checkpoint requirements.
While private screeners offer benefits in terms of staffing flexibility and continued operations during government shutdowns, there are considerations regarding liability protection and cost-effectiveness. The TSA has provided some liability protection to private screening contractors, but there are limitations. In terms of cost, the TSA aims for the Screening Partnership Program (SPP) to operate at a competitive cost with federal operations and achieve cost savings where possible. However, under cost-reimbursement contracts, the TSA may bear more financial risk than expected.
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Private screeners can improve the quality of service
The Screening Partnership Program (SPP), instituted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in 2004, allows airports to employ private security agencies to conduct screenings instead of the TSA. Private screeners are required to follow the same procedures and standards as their federal counterparts, including background checks, medical examinations, and training at the TSA Academy.
Secondly, private screeners are not federal employees, so they are not affected by government shutdowns. For example, during the 2019 government shutdown, San Francisco International Airport experienced no terminal checkpoint closures due to adequate staffing with private screeners. This continuity of operations ensures a smoother travel experience for passengers, even during periods of government instability.
Additionally, private screeners can enhance the efficiency of the screening process. Airport executives and lawmakers argue that private agencies often provide faster response times to issues, making them more desirable. The focus of the debate then shifts from security procedures, which are standardized, to the quality and efficiency of customer service.
Furthermore, private screeners can offer liability protection to airports and address stakeholder concerns. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has provided some liability protections to private screening contractors, including limits on damages that plaintiffs can recover. Congress has also granted airports legal protection from lawsuits arising from negligence or wrongdoing by private screening companies.
While there may be concerns about cost, TSA's cost-reimbursement contracts for private screening services provide incentives for cost efficiencies and innovations. TSA plans to shift more cost risk to contractors by competitively awarding fixed-price contracts, particularly for smaller airports.
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Frequently asked questions
The Screening Partnership Program (SPP) is a program that allows airports to employ private security agencies to conduct screening instead of the TSA. Private screeners must follow all TSA screening policies and procedures and use TSA-approved equipment.
Airports that opt for the SPP can set their own staffing targets and hire as many screeners as needed. Private screeners are not subject to government shutdowns, so they can avoid terminal checkpoint closures due to a lack of staffing. Private screeners can also perform some things that the TSA doesn't, such as responding to issues within minutes.
The TSA has awarded cost-reimbursement contracts with an award fee component for airports using private screeners. The award fee is based in part on contractor cost-savings. However, the TSA bears most of the cost risk, and there may be limited opportunities for TSA cost-savings.
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