Innovation Task Force

Accelerating smart solutions for secure and seamless travel.

Do you have the next big IDEA? Check out ITF's IDEA Targeted BAA 2020.

Mission and Vision

ITF fosters innovation by integrating key stakeholders to identify and demonstrate emerging solutions that increase security effectiveness and efficiency, improve passenger experience, and to deliver solutions that secure the freedom of movement throughout the nation’s transportation system.

"The Innovation Task Force is collaborating with industry, airlines, airports and equipment manufacturers to find and deploy the very best technology for increasing security and improving the passenger experience" David Pekoske, TSA Administrator

Our Process

ITF demonstrations allow vendors to test their solutions in a live environment, capture operational data and then refine their solution for potential future engagement with TSA.

ITF Identify Icon

Identify

We convene the aviation security ecosystem to identify solutions.

ITF Demonstrate Icon

Demonstrate

We establish the means to demonstrate innovative solutions.

ITF Analyze Icon

Analyze

We measure effectiveness and provide data to improve systems.

About ITF

Do you have the next big IDEA?

The Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Innovation Task Force (ITF) is pleased to announce the release of our most recent Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), the Innovative Demonstrations for Enterprise Advancement (IDEA) Targeted BAA 2020.

The IDEA BAA seeks to identify people, process and technology solutions for demonstration in live field environments in order to address specific TSA challenges. TSA is interested in solutions that address problem statements in the following categories:

Safe-Distance Screening
System Integration for Dynamic Screening
Vendor Identified
Information Request Only: Staff Screening

In order to participate, vendors should submit a white paper (as either a traditional paper, slide deck or video with transcript) to IDEA@tsa.dhs.gov. Additional requirements can be found in the formal posting on SAM.gov, the Federal System for Award Management.

Submissions are due no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT on Monday, September 7, 2020.

Please contact ITF at IDEA@tsa.dhs.gov with any questions. We look forward to reading your submissions!

Also keep your eye out for future communications with additional information about the upcoming BAA Industry Day on Thursday, August 13, 2020, from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. EDT. This will be an opportunity to learn more about ITF and the requirements for the IDEA Targeted BAA 2020. The content will be presented through a YouTube livestream, which can be accessed through the Virtual Industry Day 2020 link provided in the beta.SAM.gov posting. There will also be an opportunity for attendees to submit questions virtually prior to the event and/or in real time.

Historical Demonstration Map

Historical Demonstration Map

What happens after an ITF demonstration?

Once demonstration data is collected and reviewed, ITF will collaborate with other TSA offices in order to refine future requirements, provide vendors with operational data, include general lessons learned in future communications to industry, and determine TSA’s next steps.

How can I pilot my solution with ITF?

The ITF-led solution demonstration life cycle allows solution providers to pilot their solutions in the field, capture operational data and then refine their solution for potential future engagement with TSA. ITF has 4 collaboration tracks:
- ITF-led Demonstration: For solutions selected by TSA, ITF partners with local TSA, the airport authority and/or airlines at designated Innovation Sites to pilot solutions; ITF owns key activities.
- ITF-enabled Demonstration: For solutions under the responsibility of a partner, a non-ITF stakeholder leads key planning and pilot activities for a self-identified solution, with guidance from an ITF “coach.”
- ITF-future Checkpoint Design: ITF supports today’s needs and designing for the future when space for a new TSA Passenger Screening Checkpoint is identified.
- ITF-process and Information Collaboration: ITF collaborates with diverse industry stakeholders to identify new solutions and exchange lessons learned with global security partners.