79–006 

115TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 115–776 

TRANSPORTATION SECURITY TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION 

REFORM ACT OF 2018 

JUNE 22, 2018.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of 

the Union and ordered to be printed 

Mr. MCCAUL, from the Committee on Homeland Security, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H.R. 5730] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Homeland Security, to whom was referred the 

bill (H.R. 5730) to require testing and evaluation of advanced 

transportation security screening technologies related to the mission of the Transportation Security Administration, and for other 

purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon 

with an amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do 

pass. 

CONTENTS 

Page 

Purpose and Summary ............................................................................................ 3 

Background and Need for Legislation .................................................................... 3 

Hearings ................................................................................................................... 4 

Committee Consideration ........................................................................................ 5 

Committee Votes ...................................................................................................... 5 

Committee Oversight Findings ............................................................................... 5 

New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures ............. 5 

Congressional Budget Office Estimate ................................................................... 6 

Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives .................................... 6 

Duplicative Federal Programs ................................................................................ 6 

Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff Benefits ... 6 

Federal Mandates Statement ................................................................................. 6 

Preemption Clarification ......................................................................................... 6 

Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings ..................................................................... 6 

Advisory Committee Statement .............................................................................. 7 

Applicability to Legislative Branch ........................................................................ 7 

Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation ...................................................... 7 

Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported ..................................... 8 


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The amendment is as follows: 

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Transportation Security Technology Innovation Reform Act of 2018’’. 

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 

In this Act: 

(1) ADMINISTRATION.—The term ‘‘Administration’’ means the Transportation 

Security Administration. 

(2) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Administrator’’ means the Administrator of 

the Administration. 

(3) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE.—The term ‘‘appropriate congressional committees’’ means the Committee on Homeland Security of the 

House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 

(4) DEPARTMENT.—The term ‘‘Department’’ means the Department of Homeland Security. 

SEC. 3. TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS INTEGRATION FACILITY. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established in the Administration a Transportation Security Administration Systems Integration Facility (TSIF) for the purposes of testing and evaluating advanced transportation security screening technologies related 

to the mission of the Administration. The TSIF shall— 

(1) evaluate such technologies to enhance the security of transportation systems through screening and threat mitigation and detection; 

(2) conduct testing of such technologies to support identified mission needs of 

the Administration and to meet requirements for acquisitions and procurement; 

(3) to the extent practicable, provide original equipment manufacturers with 

test plans to minimize requirement interpretation disputes and adhere to provided test plans; 

(4) collaborate with other technical laboratories and facilities for purposes of 

augmenting TSIF’s capabilities; 

(5) deliver advanced transportation security screening technologies that enhance the overall security of domestic transportation systems; and 

(6) to the extent practicable, provide funding and promote efforts to enable 

participation by a small business concern (as such term is described under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632)) that has an advanced technology or capability but does not have adequate resources to participate in testing and evaluation processes. 

(b) STAFFING AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION.—The Administrator shall ensure adequate staffing and resource allocations for the TSIF in a manner which— 

(1) prevents unnecessary delays in testing and evaluating advanced transportation security screening technologies for acquisitions and procurement determinations; 

(2) ensures the issuance of final paperwork certification does not exceed 45 

days after the conclusion of such testing and evaluation; and 

(3) collaborates with technology stakeholders to close capabilities gaps in 

transportation security. 

(c) TIMEFRAME.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall notify the appropriate congressional committees whenever testing and evaluation by TSIF of an advanced 

transportation security screening technology under this section exceeds 180 

days as determined from the date on which the owner of such technology turned 

over such technology to the Administration after installation for testing and 

evaluation purposes, as evidenced by a signed Test Readiness Notification from 

such owner to the Administration. Such notification shall include— 

(A) information relating to the arrival date of such technology; 

(B) reasons why the testing and evaluation process has exceeded 180 

days; and 

(C) an estimated time for completion of such testing and evaluation. 

(2) RETESTING AND EVALUATION.—Advanced transportation security screening 

technology that fails testing and evaluation by the TSIF may be retested and 

evaluated. 

(d) RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER DEPARTMENT ENTITIES AND FEDERAL AGENCIES.—The 

authority of the Administrator under this title shall not affect the authorities or responsibilities of any officer of the Department or of any officer of any other department or agency of the United States with respect to research, development, testing, 

and evaluation, including the authorities and responsibilities of the Undersecretary 


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for Science and Technology of the Department and the Countering Weapons of Mass 

Destruction Office of the Department. 

SEC. 4. REVIEW OF TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITIONS PROCESS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this 

Act, the Administrator shall, in coordination with relevant officials of the Department, conduct a review of existing advanced transportation security screening technology development, acquisitions, and procurement practices within the Administration. Such review shall include— 

(1) identifying process delays and bottlenecks within the Department and the 

Administration regarding how such technology is identified, developed, acquired, and deployed; 

(2) assessing whether the Administration can better leverage existing resources or processes of the Department for the purposes of technology innovation and development; 

(3) assessing whether the Administration can further encourage innovation 

and competition among technology stakeholders, including through increased 

participation of and funding for small business concerns (as such term is described under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632)); 

(4) identifying best practices of other Department components or United 

States Government entities; and 

(5) a plan to address problems and challenges identified by such review. 

(b) BRIEFING.—The Administrator shall provide to the appropriate congressional 

committees a briefing on the findings of the review required under this section and 

a plan to address problems and challenges identified by such review. 

SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATION ACQUISITIONS AND PROCUREMENT ENHANCEMENT. 

The Administrator shall— 

(1) engage in outreach, coordination, and collaboration with transportation 

stakeholders to identify and foster innovation of new advanced transportation 

security screening technologies; 

(2) streamline the overall technology development, testing, evaluation, acquisitions, procurement, and deployment processes of the Administration; and 

(3) ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of such processes. 

SEC. 6. ASSESSMENT. 

The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Chief Privacy Officer of the Department of Homeland Security, shall submit to the Committee on 

Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a compliance assessment of 

the Transportation Security Administration’s acquisition process relating to the 

health and safety risks associated with implementation of screening technologies. 

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

H.R. 5730 authorizes the establishment of the Transportation 

Systems Integration Facility (TSIF) in the Transportation Security 

Administration (TSA). This legislation directs the TSIF to test advanced transportation screening technologies and streamline the 

TSA technology procurement process. Further, the TSA Administrator is to ensure adequate staffing and resource allocation for the 

TSIF to prevent unnecessary delays in testing and evaluation. TSA 

must notify Congress of extended delays in testing of new technology, and conduct a review of procurement practices to uncover 

bottlenecks within the process. In addition, the TSA Administrator 

will collaborate with stakeholders to promote innovation and the 

deployment of advanced technologies to meet the agency’s mission 

needs and mitigate threats to transportation security. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

The TSA continuously struggles to effectively and efficiently test, 

evaluate, acquire, and deploy new security technologies at domestic 

airports to keep pace with evolving threats to transportation security. Through recent oversight, the House Committee on Homeland 


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Security identified significant bureaucratic inefficiencies within 

TSA’s existing processes that prevent technology stakeholders from 

receiving timely testing and evaluation. Since 2009, the GAO consistently cites the Department of Homeland Security’s technology 

procurement process in their biannual High Risk List. A lack of 

consistent leadership along with longstanding bureaucratic delays 

fail to meet transportation security performance objectives and discourage security equipment manufacturers from investing in new 

screening technologies. 

These outdated and under performing procurement processes 

causes TSA to miss opportunities to improve checkpoint throughput 

and overall transportation security. Evolving threats to transportation security are not properly mitigated without updated technology. This legislation will authorize key functions of the Transportation Systems Integration Facility (TSIF), enabling the TSA to 

be more efficient and transparent throughout the development and 

acquisition of new transportation security technology. 

HEARINGS

While no hearings were held on H.R. 5730, the Committee conducted the following oversight hearings which informed the legislation. 

114th Congress 

On October 8, 2015, the Subcommittee on Transportation Security held a hearing entitled ‘‘Reform and Improvement: Assessing 

the Path Forward for the Transportation Security Administration.’’ 

The Subcommittee received testimony from The Honorable John 

Roth, Inspector General, Office of Inspector General, 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and The Honorable Peter 

Neffenger, Administrator, Transportation Security Administration, 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security. 

115th Congress 

On February 2, 2017, the Subcommittee on Transportation and 

Protective Security held a hearing entitled ‘‘The Future of the 

Transportation Security Administration.’’ The Subcommittee received testimony from Mr. Roger Dow, CEO, U.S. Travel Association; Ms. Nina E. Brooks, Head of Security, Airports Council International; and Mr. J. David Cox, National President, American Federation of Government Employees. 

On April 27, 2017, the Subcommittee on Transportation and Protective Security held a hearing entitled ‘‘Checkpoint of the Future: 

Evaluating TSA’s Innovation Task Force Initiative’’ The Subcommittee received testimony from Mr. Steve Karoly, Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Requirements and Capabilities 

Analysis, Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Department 

of Homeland Security; Mr. Roosevelt Council, Jr., General Manager, Hatsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Department 

of Aviation, City of Atlanta, Georgia; Ms. Jeanne M. Olivier, 

A.A.E., Assistant Director, Aviation Security & Technology, Security Operations and Programs Department, The Port Authority of 

New York and New Jersey. 

On November 8, 2017, the Full Committee held a hearing entitled ‘‘Preventing the Next Attack: TSA’s Role in Keeping Our 

Transportation Systems Secure.’’ The Committee received testiVerDate Sep 11 2014 04:57 Jun 23, 2018 Jkt 079006 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR776.XXX HR776

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mony from Hon. David P. Pekoske, Administrator, Transportation 

Security Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. 

On January 18, 2018, the Subcommittee on Transportation and 

Protective Security held a hearing entitled ‘‘Innovation at TSA: Examining Threat Mitigation Through Technology Acquisitions Reform.’’ The Subcommittee received testimony from Hon. David P. 

Pekoske, Administrator, Transportation Security Administration, 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security. 

COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

The Committee met on June 6, 2018, to consider H.R. 5730, and 

ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a favorable 

recommendation, as amended, by unanimous consent. The Committee took the following actions: 

The following amendments were offered: 

An amendment MR. THOMPSON of Mississippi (#1); was AGREED 

TO by unanimous consent. 

In section 3(a)(4), strike ‘‘and’’ after the semicolon at the end. 

In section 3(a)(5), strike the period at the end and insert ‘‘; and’’. 

In section 3(a), add at the end the following: (6) to the extent practicable, provide 

funding and promote efforts to enable participation by a small business concern 

(as such term is described under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 

632)) that has an advanced technology or capability but does not have adequate 

resources to participate in testing and evaluation processes. 

In section 4(a), insert after paragraph (2) the following (and make necessary conforming changes): (3) assessing whether the Administration can further encourage 

innovation and competition among technology stakeholders, including through increased participation of and funding for small business concerns (as such term is 

described under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632)); 

An amendment MS. JACKSON LEE (#2); was AGREED TO by unanimous consent. 

Add at the end a new section entitled ‘‘Sec. 6. Assessment.’’ 

COMMITTEE VOTES

Clause 3(b) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives requires the Committee to list the recorded votes on the motion to report legislation and amendments thereto. 

No recorded votes were requested during consideration of 

H.R. 5730. 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(1) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the Committee has held oversight hearings and 

made findings that are reflected in this report. 

NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY, ENTITLEMENT AUTHORITY, AND TAX

EXPENDITURES

In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the Committee finds that H.R. 5730, the 

Transportation Security Technology Innovation Reform Act of 2018, 

would result in no new or increased budget authority, entitlement 

authority, or tax expenditures or revenues. 


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CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE ESTIMATE

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, a cost estimate provided by the Congressional 

Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget 

Act of 1974 was not made available to the Committee in time for 

the filing of this report. The Chairman of the Committee shall 

cause such estimate to be printed in the Congressional Record upon 

its receipt by the Committee. 

STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, H.R. 5730 contains the following general performance goals and objectives, including outcome related goals and 

objectives authorized. 

This legislation authorizes the establishment of the Transportation Security Integration Facility (TSIF) to streamline TSA’s development, testing, evaluation, acquisitions, procurement, and deployment of new advanced security screening technologies. 

DUPLICATIVE FEDERAL PROGRAMS

Pursuant to clause 3(c) of Rule XIII, the Committee finds that 

H.R. 5730 does not contain any provision that establishes or reauthorizes a program known to be duplicative of another Federal program. 

CONGRESSIONAL EARMARKS, LIMITED TAX BENEFITS, AND LIMITED

TARIFF BENEFITS

In compliance with Rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, this bill, as reported, contains no congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in 

clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of the Rule XXI. 

FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

An estimate of Federal mandates prepared by the Director of the 

Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act was not made available to the Committee in time for the filing of this report. The Chairman of the 

Committee shall cause such estimate to be printed in the Congressional Record upon its receipt by the Committee. 

PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION

In compliance with section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act 

of 1974, requiring the report of any Committee on a bill or joint 

resolution to include a statement on the extent to which the bill or 

joint resolution is intended to preempt State, local, or Tribal law, 

the Committee finds that H.R. 5730 does not preempt any State, 

local, or Tribal law. 

DISCLOSURE OF DIRECTED RULE MAKINGS

The Committee estimates that H.R. 5730 would require no directed rule makings. 


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ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) of the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this legislation. 

APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to the 

terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or 

accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act. 

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF THE LEGISLATION

Section 1. Short Title. 

This section provides that this bill may be cited as the ‘‘Transportation Security Technology Innovation Reform Act of 2018’’. 

Sec. 2. Definitions. 

This section defines the terms used in this bill including ‘Administration’’; ‘‘Administrator’’; ‘‘appropriate congressional committee’; 

and ‘‘Department’’. 

Sec. 3. Transportation Integration Facility. 

This section authorizes the establishment of the Transportation 

Security Administration Systems Integration Facility (TSIF) to test 

and evaluate advanced transportation security screening technologies related to TSA’s mission. The TSIF will evaluate such 

technology to enhance the security of transportation systems 

through screening and threat mitigation and detection; conduct 

testing of such technologies to meet requirements for acquisitions 

and procurement; provide original equipment manufacturers with 

test plans to minimize requirement interpretation disputes; collaborate with other technical laboratories and facilities to augment capabilities; and deliver advanced security screening technology that 

enhances overall security of domestic transportation systems. The 

Administrator of the TSA will ensure adequate staffing and resources for the TSIF to prevent unnecessary delays, ensure that 

the issuance of final paperwork certification does not exceed 45 

days, and collaborate with stakeholders to close capability gaps in 

transportation security. 

The Administrator shall notify the appropriate congressional 

committees when testing conducted by the TSIF exceeds 180 days 

from the date the technology was turned over to TSIF by the 

owner. This notification will include: information relating to the arrival date of such technology, an explanation to clarify the cause 

of the delay, and an estimated time frame for completion. Additionally, any transportation security technology that fails testing and 

evaluation by the TSIF may be retested and evaluated. 

The authority given to the Administrator will not affect the responsibilities of any other officers within the Department of Homeland Security or other agencies within the United States government in regards to research, development and testing. 


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Sec. 4. Review of Technology Acquisitions Process. 

This section requires the Administrator to conduct a review of 

existing advanced transportation security screening technology development, acquisitions, and procurement practices within the Administration. This review will identify process delays and bottlenecks within the TSA’s procurement process, assess whether the 

Administrator can allocate resources in a more efficient manner, 

identify best practices of other U.S. government entities, and include a plan to address the identified problems and challenges. 

Sec. 5. Administration Acquisitions and Procurement Enhancement. 

This section requires the Administrator to engage in outreach, 

coordination, and collaboration with transportation stakeholders, 

streamline the overall technology development, testing, evaluation, 

acquisitions, procurement and deployment processes, and ensure 

the effectiveness and efficiency of such processes. 

Sec. 6. Assessment. 

This section requires the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Chief Privacy Officer of 

DHS, to submit a compliance assessment of the TSA’s acquisition 

process relating to the health and safety risks associated with implementation of screening technologies to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee 

on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate. 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

As reported, H.R. 5730 makes no changes to existing law. 

Æ 


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