Lawmakers set sights on TSA's technology acquisition woes.

• Author: Sicard, Sarah
• Position: Homeland Security News

* The Transportation Security Administration has come under scrutiny for long-standing problems associated with acquiring new technologies.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

"It is no secret that the Transportation Security Administration, TSA, has struggled with technology acquisition since the agency was established after the terrorist attacks of 9/11," said Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee's subcommittee on transportation security. It was the seventh oversight hearing examining the TSA since 2011, he noted.

Among the agency's shortcomings are difficulties planning for future technology acquisition, as well as handling and implementing the systems it already has in place, said Hudson.

The agency's misfires include the controversial use of imaging devices that many felt infringed on their right to privacy by taking revealing scans, and puffer machines designed to sniff for explosive residues that were widely deployed, but never worked properly.

Members of the subcommittee introduced bipartisan legislation that seeks to hold TSA accountable for its acquisition regime.

"My top priorities as chairman of the transportation security subcommittee are to improve transparency and accountability within TSA and lead TSA to a more risk-based, passenger-friendly future that protects taxpayer interests," said Hudson, who introduced the bill, the Transportation Security Acquisition Reform Act (H.R. 2719).

The bill calls for TSA to create a multi-year technology acquisition plan. It would have to produce reports justifying new procurements and explain how it is using deployed equipment. It will establish small business goals and make the agency fall in line with federal acquisition regulations, departmental policies and directives.

The bill is co-sponsored by Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., and ranking minority member on the committee, Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss.

Marc Pearl, president and CEO of the Homeland Security and Defense Business Council, said, "You cannot continually be a reactive agency You cannot be a reactive nation to only what...