TSA awards $128M contract to Idemia for new airport security checkpoint credential authentication systems

Through an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) this week awarded an agreement worth up to $128 million to Idemia Identity and Security USA, LLC to create and maintain next-generation Credential Authentication Technology systems.

These systems, also known as CAT-2, and their support services would be deployed at TSA security checkpoints in airports nationwide. They represent the second generation of CAT technology, which tackles identity verification, validation of passengers’ ID credentials, and flight reservations and has significantly aided the expanding use of pre-screening services. This next generation would allow for automated identity verification, complete with integrated cameras for both biometric and self-service capabilities.

Idemia is a security and authentication service provider for governments and private companies, and its facial recognition efforts have garnered particular interest. It has worked with the TSA as an enrollment provider since 2013 and has secured more than 17 million enrollments for the TSA PreCheck program. Under its latest contract, it will work with TSA to test, manufacture, procure, and deploy more than 1,500 CAT-2 systems at various airport security checkpoints.

“TSA PreCheck is one of the most valuable consumer-based government programs, and we are proud to continue offering an accessible and convenient enrollment process,” Lisa Sullivan, senior vice president of travel and transport for Idemia Identity and Security North America, said. “The 17 million enrollments milestone demonstrates the benefits travelers recognize in the TSA PreCheck program.”

As of this year, Idemia also noted that it has more than 560 TSA PreCheck enrollment centers in use throughout the U.S. Such services also aid other TSA enrollment programs such as the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), Hazardous Materials Endorsement Threat Assessment Program (HAZMAT Endorsement) and Flight Training Security Program (FTSP).