Securing the Checkpoint Property Screening System (S-CPSS) Act of 2022

To authorize appropriations to accelerate the procurement and deployment of computed tomography equipment to enhance detection capabilities for carry-on baggage, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Securing the Checkpoint Property Screening System (S-CPSS) Act of 2022 2. Procurement and deployment efforts of computed tomography equipment at airport checkpoints (a) TSA briefing Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for five years, the Administrator shall brief the appropriate congressional committees regarding planned procurement and deployment efforts of computed tomography equipment at airport checkpoints through the Checkpoint Property Screening System program to enhance detection capabilities for carry-on baggage. Such briefing shall include information relating to the following: (1) The amount of computed tomography equipment TSA could procure under the authorization of appropriations in each of fiscal years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. (2) The amount of computed tomography equipment TSA could deploy in each of such fiscal years. (3) A procurement and deployment plan, together with a funding and execution plan, to complete the deployment of computed tomography equipment, disaggregated by all base, mid, and full sized units of such equipment, at airport checkpoints by not later than September 30, 2026. (4) Whether additional funding will be necessary in fiscal year 2026. (5) A plan for maximizing competition and innovation within the Checkpoint Property Screening System program, including by supporting the participation of small businesses. (6) A plan to set aside funds for small businesses within the Checkpoint Property Screening System program, to the extent practicable, as determined by the Administrator, or if not practicable a description of challenges in doing so. (7) A description of how each award made under the Checkpoint Property Screening System program within the immediately preceding year satisfies Department of Homeland Security and TSA operational requirements, including requirements for detection, safety, cybersecurity, interoperability, availability, and throughput, as well as other relevant standards. (8) A description of how each award made under the Checkpoint Property Screening System program within the immediately preceding year satisfies Department of Homeland Security and TSA requirements for testing and evaluation. (b) Award-Specific briefings If TSA intends to make an award to a system that does not satisfy the Checkpoint Property Screening System program key performance parameters, the Administrator shall brief the appropriate congressional committees at least two weeks prior to any such award regarding why such award is necessary and in the best interest of national security and good government. (c) Authorization of appropriations (1) In general There is authorized to be appropriated $1,641,400,000 to TSA for procurement and deployment of computed tomography equipment at airport checkpoints through the Checkpoint Property Screening System program to enhance detection capabilities for carry-on baggage as follows: (A) $257,000,000 for fiscal year 2022. (B) $336,000,000 for fiscal year 2023. (C) $343,000,000 for fiscal year 2024. (D) $350,000,000 for fiscal year 2025. (E) $355,400,000 for fiscal year 2026. (2) Small business research and development (A) In general In addition to funds authorized to be appropriated in accordance with paragraph (1), there is authorized to be appropriated $82,077,000 to TSA to provide to small businesses in support of research and development of technologies under consideration for the Checkpoint Property Screening System program, as follows: (i) $12,850,000 for fiscal year 2022. (ii) $16,800,000 for fiscal year 2023. (iii) $17,150,000 for fiscal year 2024. (iv) $17,500,000 for fiscal year 2025. (v) $17,777,000 for fiscal year 2026. (B) Eligibility To be eligible to receive funding under subparagraph (A), a small business referred to in such subparagraph shall demonstrate an ability to produce technologies supporting the advancement of checkpoint security screening, as determined by the Administrator. (3) Availability Amounts authorized to be appropriated pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) are authorized to remain available until expended. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Administrator The term Administrator (2) Appropriate congressional committees The term appropriate congressional committees (A) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives; (B) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; (C) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and (D) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate. (3) TSA The term TSA May 24, 2022 Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

Summary: Securing the Checkpoint Property Screening System (S-CPSS) Act of 2022 This bill establishes requirements related to the Checkpoint Property Screening System program, through which the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) procures and deploys computed tomography equipment for screening carry-on baggage at airport checkpoints. Specifically, the TSA must support small businesses with respect to research and development of technologies under consideration for the program. Additionally, the TSA must brief the appropriate congressional committees at specified intervals regarding planned procurement and deployment efforts of such equipment. If the TSA intends to make an award to a system that does not satisfy the program's key performance parameters, it shall brief such committees at least two weeks prior to any such award regarding why such award is necessary and in the best interest of national security and good government.