DHS S&T, TSA seeks small business solicitations to enhance security screening technology

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) invited small businesses to submit ideas to enhance security screening to the Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP) on Wednesday for a chance to receive up to $800,000 in federal funding.

The solicitation seeks proposals to better recognize, interpret and recognize changes in objects that appear in passenger baggage. Companies that have not been awarded a government contract totaling more than $1 million in the last 12 month or have fewer than 200 employees are able to apply.

“SVIP brings the innovations of the startup community to assist with the DHS operational components with critical mission needs,” William Bryan, the senior official performing the duties of the under secretary of S&T, said. “This solicitation allows us to create a partnership between TSA and the nation’s innovators to develop revolutionary technology solutions to keep this country and our people safe.”

The solicitation calls for solutions that can be deployed in any screening hardware, accurately displays potential risk and alerts human screeners, requires “low effort” to rapidly deploy into hundreds of screening machines, complies with all legal, civil, regulatory and privacy laws, and takes user experience into account.

“TSA is excited to partner with the Silicon Valley Innovation Program for the first time and engage with the startup community,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said. “The current threat environment requires a proactive and agile agency that coordinates closely with partners in government and industry. This is key to identifying the very best ideas for increasing security while easing the passenger experience.”

Companies who take part in SVIP could be eligible for up to $800,000 in non-dilutive funding administered in four phases.