Transportation Security Acquisition Reform Act

Bill: 113-hr-2719
Sponsor: Rep. Hudson, Richard [R-NC-8]
Introduced: 2013-07-18 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advanced technology and technological innovations
Aviation and airports
Congressional oversight
Department of Homeland Security
Government studies and investigations
Homeland security
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Performance measurement
Public contracts and procurement
Public-private cooperation
Small business
Technology assessment
Technology transfer and commercialization
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2013-07-18
text: 
Transportation Security Acquisition Reform Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to develop, and update biennially, a strategic multiyear technology acquisition plan, which may include a classified addendum to report sensitive transportation security risks, technology vulnerabilities, or other sensitive security information.
 
Directs the Administrator to analyze the TSA's acquisition of any security-related technology to determine if it is justified. Requires the Administrator, 30 days before any TSA award of a contract for acquisitions exceeding $30 million, to report to Congress the results of the analysis and certify that the security benefits justify the contract cost.
 
Directs the Administrator to establish certain performance baseline requirements before any TSA security-related technology acquisition. Requires the Administrator to review and assess each acquisition for meeting the baseline requirements and to report those results to Congress.
 
Requires the Administrator, before the procurement of additional quantities of equipment to fulfill a TSA mission need, to utilize, to the extent practicable, any existing units in the TSA's inventory to meet that need.
 
Directs the Administrator to report annually to Congress on TSA's goals for contracting with small and disadvantaged businesses.
 
Directs the Comptroller General to evaluate, and report to Congress on, TSA's progress in implementing the plan.

action_date: 2013-11-21
text: 
Transportation Security Acquisition Reform Act - (Sec. 3) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to develop, update biennially, and report to Congress a strategic multiyear technology investment plan, which may include a classified addendum to report sensitive transportation security risks, technology vulnerabilities, or other sensitive security information.
 
Requires the plan to include: (1) an analysis of transportation security risks and associated technology gaps, and (2) a set of the TSA's transportation security-related technology acquisition needs.
 
Directs the Administrator, in accordance with TSA policies and directives, and before implementing any any security-related technology, to analyze whether it is justified, including its privacy and civil liberties implications. Requires the Administrator, 30 days before any TSA award of a contract for acquisitions exceeding $30 million, to report to Congress the results of the acquisition analysis and certify that the security benefits justify the contract cost.
 
Directs the appropriate TSA acquisition official to establish certain performance baseline requirements before any TSA security-related technology acquisition. Requires that official to review and assess each acquisition for meeting the baseline requirements and to report those results to Congress.
 
Requires the Administrator, before the procurement of additional quantities of equipment to fulfill a TSA mission need, to utilize, to the extent practicable, any existing units in the TSA's inventory to meet that need.
 
Directs the Administrator to report annually to Congress on TSA's goals for contracting with small businesses, including small and disadvantaged businesses.
 
(Sec. 4) Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to assess TSA's implementation of GAO recommendations regarding the acquisition of security-related technology that were made before enactment of this Act.
 
Directs the GAO to evaluate TSA's progress in implementing this Act. 
 
(Sec. 5) Directs the Administrator to report to Congress on the feasibility of tracking TSA transportation security-related technology through automated information and data capture technologies.
 
(Sec. 6) Directs the GAO to evaluate TSA's testing and evaluation of security-related technologies.
 
(Sec. 7) States that no additional funds are authorized to carry out this Act. Requires this Act to be carried out using amounts otherwise available for the purpose.

action_date: 2013-12-03
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on November 21, 2013. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Transportation Security Acquisition Reform Act - (Sec. 3) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to develop, update biennially, and report to Congress a strategic multiyear technology investment plan, which may include a classified addendum to report sensitive transportation security risks, technology vulnerabilities, or other sensitive security information.
 
Requires the plan to include: (1) an analysis of transportation security risks and associated technology gaps, and (2) a set of the TSA's transportation security-related technology acquisition needs.
 
Directs the Administrator, in accordance with TSA policies and directives, and before implementing any security-related technology, to analyze whether it is justified, including its privacy and civil liberties implications. Requires the Administrator, by 30 days before any TSA award of a contract for acquisitions exceeding $30 million, to report to Congress the results of the acquisition analysis and certify that the security benefits justify the contract cost.
 
Directs the appropriate TSA acquisition official to establish certain performance baseline requirements before any TSA security-related technology acquisition. Requires that official to review and assess each acquisition for meeting the baseline requirements and to report those results to Congress.
 
Requires the Administrator, before the procurement of additional quantities of equipment to fulfill a TSA mission need, to utilize, to the extent practicable, any existing units in the TSA's inventory to meet that need.
 
Directs the Administrator to report annually to Congress on TSA's goals for contracting with small businesses, including small and disadvantaged businesses.
 
(Sec. 4) Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to assess TSA's implementation of GAO recommendations regarding the acquisition of security-related technology that were made before enactment of this Act.
 
Directs the GAO to evaluate TSA's progress in implementing this Act. 
 
(Sec. 5) Directs the Administrator to report to Congress on the feasibility of tracking TSA transportation security-related technology through automated information and data capture technologies.
 
(Sec. 6) Directs the GAO to evaluate TSA's testing and evaluation of security-related technologies.
 
(Sec. 7) States that no additional funds are authorized to carry out this Act. Requires this Act to be carried out using amounts otherwise available for the purpose.

action_date: 2014-12-09
text: 
Transportation Security Acquisition Reform Act - (Sec. 3) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to:
 
 
 develop and update biennially a strategic five-year technology investment plan, which may include a classified addendum to report sensitive transportation security risks, technology vulnerabilities, or other sensitive security information; and
 
publish the plan in an unclassified form in the public domain.
 
Directs the Administrator, before acquiring any security-related technology, to analyze whether acquisition is justified. Requires the Administrator, 30 days before any TSA award of a contract for acquisitions exceeding $30 million, to report to Congress the results of the analysis and certify that the transportation security benefits justify the contract cost.
 
Requires the appropriate TSA acquisition official to establish certain performance baseline requirements before any TSA security-related technology acquisition. Requires that official to review and assess each acquisition for meeting the baseline requirements and to report the results to Congress.
 
Requires the Administrator, before procuring additional quantities of equipment to fulfill a TSA mission need, to utilize, to the extent practicable, any existing units in the TSA's inventory to meet that need.
 
Directs the Administrator to report annually to Congress on TSA's performance record in meeting its goals for contracting with small businesses.
 
Directs the Administrator to execute all responsibilities set forth in this Act in a manner consistent with the Federal Acquisition Regulation and TSA policies and directives.
 
(Sec. 4) Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to: (1) assess TSA's implementation of GAO recommendations regarding the acquisition of security-related technology made before enactment of this Act, and (2) evaluate TSA's progress in implementing this Act.
 
(Sec. 5) Directs the Administrator to report to Congress on the feasibility of tracking TSA security-related technology, including software solutions, through automated information and data capture technologies.
 
(Sec. 6) Directs the GAO to evaluate TSA's testing and evaluation process relating to security-related technology.
 
(Sec. 7) Declares that no additional appropriations are authorized to carry out this Act.

action_date: 2014-12-18
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on December 9, 2014. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Transportation Security Acquisition Reform Act - (Sec. 3) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to:
 
 
 develop and update biennially a strategic five-year technology investment plan, which may include a classified addendum to report sensitive transportation security risks, technology vulnerabilities, or other sensitive security information; and
 
publish the plan in an unclassified form in the public domain.
 
Directs the Administrator, before acquiring any security-related technology, to analyze whether acquisition is justified. Requires the Administrator, 30 days before any TSA award of a contract for acquisitions exceeding $30 million, to report to Congress the results of the analysis and certify that the transportation security benefits justify the contract cost.
 
Requires the appropriate TSA acquisition official to establish certain performance baseline requirements before any TSA security-related technology acquisition. Requires that official to review and assess each acquisition for meeting the baseline requirements and to report the results to Congress.
 
Requires the Administrator, before procuring additional quantities of equipment to fulfill a TSA mission need, to utilize, to the extent practicable, any existing units in the TSA's inventory to meet that need.
 
Directs the Administrator to report annually to Congress on TSA's performance record in meeting its goals for contracting with small businesses.
 
Directs the Administrator to execute all responsibilities set forth in this Act in a manner consistent with the Federal Acquisition Regulation and TSA policies and directives.
 
(Sec. 4) Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to: (1) assess TSA's implementation of GAO recommendations regarding the acquisition of security-related technology made before enactment of this Act, and (2) evaluate TSA's progress in implementing this Act.
 
(Sec. 5) Directs the Administrator to report to Congress on the feasibility of tracking TSA security-related technology, including software solutions, through automated information and data capture technologies.
 
(Sec. 6) Directs the GAO to evaluate TSA's testing and evaluation process relating to security-related technology.
 
(Sec. 7) Declares that no additional appropriations are authorized to carry out this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-12-18
text: Became Public Law No: 113-245.
action_date: 2014-12-18
text: Became Public Law No: 113-245.
action_date: 2014-12-18
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2014-12-18
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2014-12-12
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2014-12-12
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2014-12-10
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2014-12-10
text: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 425 - 0 (Roll no. 559). (text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H8969-8970)
action_date: 2014-12-10
text: Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 425 - 0 (Roll no. 559).(text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H8969-8970)
action_date: 2014-12-10
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H8992-8993)
action_date: 2014-12-10
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2014-12-10
text: DEBATE - The House resumed debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2719.
action_date: 2014-12-10
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2719.
action_date: 2014-12-10
text: Mr. Hudson moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H8968-8973)
action_date: 2014-12-09
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2014-12-09
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2014-12-09
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2014-12-09
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6401)
action_date: 2014-12-09
text: Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2014-12-09
text: Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2013-12-09
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2013-12-03
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 416 - 0 (Roll no. 616). (text: CR H7409-7411)
action_date: 2013-12-03
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 416 - 0 (Roll no. 616).(text: CR H7409-7411)
action_date: 2013-12-03
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7427)
action_date: 2013-12-03
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2013-12-03
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2719.
action_date: 2013-12-03
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7409-7414)
action_date: 2013-12-03
text: Mr. McCaul moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2013-11-21
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 196.
action_date: 2013-11-21
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 113-275.
action_date: 2013-11-21
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 113-275.
action_date: 2013-10-29
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2013-10-29
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2013-07-24
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2013-07-24
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2013-07-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
action_date: 2013-07-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
action_date: 2013-07-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-07-18
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 113-245