Reimbursable Screening Services Program

The Reimbursable Screening Services Program (RSSP) is a pilot program that will enable TSA to be reimbursed for providing screening services outside an airport terminal’s existing primary screening area for passengers.  Requests for RSSP locations not at or near an airport (“off-airport”) will be considered if TSA security protocols and funding requirements and agreements with the relevant local airport authorities can be met.

TSA began accepting requests to participate on June 3, 2019.

The submission period will remain open until eight locations are approved into the pilot program. Pilots are authorized through FY 2025. TSA will evaluate the RSSP to ensure this enhances TSA’s mission. TSA will use the evaluation to formulate a recommendation to Congress on whether to expand the pilot or to establish a permanent program.

The authorization was provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019 and was extended via the amendment in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.

Locations are selected by the requesting regulated entity and with concurrence from the Federal Security Director(s) of that specific airport location(s).

The Consolidated Appropriations Act authorizes up to eight locations through FY 2025.

Yes, there is one operating RSSP location at LAX and locations at MSP, ATL, LGA, and LAX which are approved but are not yet operational.

Operating:

The LAX RSSP location began operating in January 2020 with the operator Private Suite (PS). This location screens business executives, celebrities, and other high-profile travelers.  PS submits an advance payment each operating year and requests screening operations from TSA as needed with advanced notification.

Approved:

MSP - is on hold at this time due to COVID-19 and low passenger volume. 

LGA - is in the screening equipment procurement stage with LaGuardia Gateway Partners. 

ATL -  is in the agreement signature phase with the City of Atlanta.

LAX – a second RSSP location at LAX to be operated by Delta Air Lines is in the screening equipment procurement stage.

TSA does not determine how pilots will be funded. However, TSA is required to collect an advance payment prior to performing the work or providing a service (reimbursable work cash advance).

Locations will be evaluated by a panel, covering:

• Impact to TSA operations
• Funding reliability
• Community impacts
• Health and safety
• Other agency support
• Feasibility and timelines

TSA will not solicit requests but regulated public or private entities who wish to participate will be directed to TSA.RSSP@tsa.dhs.gov.

Requesters must submit a completed TSA Form 459 – TSA Reimbursable Screening Services Program (RSSP) Pilot Request answering Table 1 – RSSP Application Guidance and providing adequate input to satisfy Table 2 – Evaluation Criteria in the TSA Request for Screening Services Guidance to Industry document and a detailed Concept of Operations (CONOPS) to communicate the proposed system of operation and how it will be deployed to meet end objectives.  It will include steps to be taken to ensure the integrity of the airport security environment.  Interested requesters must coordinate with the affected TSA Federal Security Director(s) in developing their guidance and CONOPS.

TSA requires that a completed request include the TSA Form 459 – TSA Reimbursable Screening Services Program (RSSP) Pilot Request, CONOPS document, and an evaluation process with TSA stakeholders (offices that are impacted by the financial and operational aspects of the RSSP location).  All three aspects must be fully satisfied before an executive level approval can be obtained. Therefore, we recommend that requesters submit the required documents as soon as possible.

The TSA CAP Program is managed by TSA’s Capability Acceptance Management Division (CAMD) within Acquisition Program Management (APM), and allows private and public sector entities to purchase transportation security equipment (TSE) and related furniture and fixtures and donate them to TSA.  RSSP applicants that will be donating TSE for RSSP screening sites will be provided estimated cost and other information for checkpoint TSE to include in their cost estimates.

Regulated entities interested in the RSSP program should not expect TSA to provide excess legacy equipment. The donation of TSE by RSSP applicants also may accelerate TSE deployment and RSSP checkpoint implementation timelines.

After the official approval, TSA and the partners will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Reimbursable Services Agreement (RSA) in order to enter into an official agreement. There may be additional agreements based on the full scope and business needs, such as acquiring the non-personnel items or utilizing third party operators, and RSSP applicants also may need to procure checkpoint TSE and related equipment and donate it to TSA prior to the initiation of RSSP screening.

Yes, with updates to the request and if pilot locations are still available.

Following approval from the Executive Assistant Administrator for Security Operations for the requester to participate in the program, TSA will present estimated personnel and non-personnel costs expected for the checkpoint development and operating stages. Billing will begin after the MOU and RSA agreements are executed. Advance payment for services must be received before services are provided.

Operating an RSSP location will include all personnel and non-personnel expenses and estimates will be provided during the request and approval stages.  Operating participants will reimburse TSA fully for all costs associated with providing these additional security screening services.  TSA will review operating costs monthly and any adjustments will be communicated to the operating partners. 

Pilot applications will only be approved if TSA has determined there will be no adverse impacts to established screening operations.

The authority to operate under the RSSP program will terminate at the end of FY 2025. If the program is extended or made permanent, existing pilot locations will be given the option to continue participation in the program. If the program is not extended beyond 2025 or made permanent, TSA will lack authority to continue the program in its present form.

An RSSP location must perform with the same TSA equipment standards and adhere to all governing directives and standard operating procedures as a non-RSSP location. The performance metrics for the PS operating RSSP location at LAX indicates that customer throughput and security protocols are comparable to similar sized non-RSSP TSA checkpoints.

RSSP requests will only be reviewed and approved once the Federal Security Director at the impacted airport supports the request, which addresses staffing needs.  TSA will only approve RSSP locations for sites that do not impact or have unintended consequences at the primary passenger and baggage screening checkpoints.