TSA wants improved algorithms for its whole body scanners

TSA has issued a broad agency announcement in search of an organization that can develop “automatic target recognition” algorithms that could enable state-of-the-art whole body scanners to reliably detect “liquid, bulk and weapons threats on individuals” and alert TSA security officers to these “anomalies.”

TSA anticipates handing out one to four awards, with funds totaling about $2 million.

The prospective vendor would work with TSA specialists at the William J. Hughes Technical Center at the Atlantic City Airport in New Jersey.

“The ATR Algorithms development shall include algorithms, source code, executable code and batch processing capability in a common commercial programming language (i.e., C, Fortran, Matlab, etc.) in a standard data format…” said a solicitation issued by the office of the chief procurement officer at DHS.

“The ATR Algorithms, when integrated with [Advanced Imaging Technology], shall utilize advanced image processing techniques in order to automatically detect prohibited items,” says the solicitation.

TSA envisions a two-phase proposal selection process. During Step 1, TSA will evaluate submitted White Papers. During Step 2, which will follow a down-selection, TSA will evaluate invited candidates’ full proposals, which are limited to 20 pages. Those full proposals are due by July 30.

Further information is available from Emily Graham, a contracting officer, at 202-254-5611 or emily.graham@dhs.gov.