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  4. Innovation Task Force

Innovation Task Force

Join TSA on the journey to seamless.

Founded in 2016, the Innovation Task Force (ITF) was initiated and championed by TSA out of a need heard from industry – to better understand the operational environment earlier in the development cycle – and from TSA – to better define requirements to close capability gaps in partnership with stakeholders. With the close support of industry partners, the ITF facilitates capability demonstrations in live, operational environments.

  • 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. The Innovation 2.0 Lifecycle is a non-linear, multi-phased approach to innovation within TSA and ITF that has been making progress through each phase.

  • ITF Identify Icon

    Bold strategy and goals for innovation and establish targets that are cascaded across the organization.

    Aspire

  • ITF Demonstrate Icon

    Prioritize customer needs, source problems, and potential solutions from multiple channels.

    Discover

  • ITF Analyze Icon

    Align portfolio pipeline with innovation strategy, balance for time and risk and resource based on milestones

    Select

  • ITF Identify Icon

    Test with 75% solution and frequently iterate, create cross-functional teams with clear leaders.

    Demonstrate

  • ITF Demonstrate Icon

    Remove roadblocks to successfully transition projects, set up documentation to support solutions as they scale into the operational environment.

    Scale

  • ITF Analyze Icon

    Define Stakeholder roles and governance processes and inspire a culture of experimentation throughout the lifecycle.

    Mobilize

About ITF

The Innovation Task Force will update industry partners when a new solicitation is available. In the interim, please feel free to email innovationtaskforce@tsa.dhs.gov.
 To receive the latest updates, subscribe to the ITF mailing list.

  • How to get more information about ITF:
    • Join our Newsletter: The ITF newsletter serves as a resource to learn about ITF activities and updates, such as future solicitation and collaboration opportunities, including Industry Days, Broad Agency Announcements (BAA), and Commercial Solutions Opening Pilots (CSOP). Sign up using this link. 
      • Industry Day: See a recording of TSA’s Innovation Task Force Industry Day from August 2023 on YouTube! Information provided includes ITF’s mission and goals, strategy and processes behind industry solicitation and partnership opportunities, as well as an overview of some of TSA’s projects and successful technology demonstrations.         
      • BAA: If a BAA is open, it will be posted on sam.gov. The BAA serves as the formal, competitive intake method for ITF-led solution demonstrations to capture operational data and inform future requirements. 
      • CSOP: 
        • The General Services Administration (GSA) Procurement Innovation Resource Center (PIRC) website provides guidance and tools on incorporating innovation into government procurements, including the CSO/CSOP. 
        • Department of Homeland Security (DHS) PIL Cast: This episode features a Procurement Innovation Lab (PIL) Coach, contracting officer, and Acquisition Innovation Advocate at the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) discussing the CSOP program, a procurement story of how the Contracting Officer (CO) used the authority, how the process is different from a traditional FAR-based procurement, and what agencies can use the authority.
  • Collaboration Opportunities: 
    • ITF collaborates with diverse industry stakeholders and global security partners to identify new solutions and exchange best practices.
    • ITF partners with local TSA, the airport authority, airlines, or non-ITF stakeholders to run and assist demonstration activities at designated sites.
    • ITF partners with government entities, including other Federal agencies, Federal Funding Research and Development Centers (FFRDC), universities and national laboratories to co-fund technology development and incorporate public sector best practices for enhanced security effectiveness and efficiency. 
  • Areas for Collaboration: 
    • DHS Cooperative Research & Development Agreements (CRADA): Enables Research & Development (R&D) collaborations with an innovative, entrepreneurial entity that can succeed in transitioning federally funded technology to the commercial market. 
    • In-Q-Tel (IQT): Non-profit that invests in commercially driven start-up companies focused on supporting entities within the federal government. 
    • Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR): Government funding to support technology-focused entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses develop their ideas and a pathway to commercialization. 
    • Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP): DHS Science & Technology (S&T) program that expands its reach to find new technologies that strengthen national security. SVIP aims to support R&D projects that reshape how government, entrepreneurs, and industry work together to find cutting-edge solutions. 

ITF demonstrations have occurred at various airports across the U.S. The map below portrays where our demonstrations have been held.

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.

Capability Manager Roadmaps articulate a collaborative vision for TSA and its transportation security partners by defining goals and associated objectives of TSA's approach for the capability. Publically available Capability Roadmaps are linked below:

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) RCA's Innovation Task Force (ITF), in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) is working to create a strategic path to Self-Service Screening through the Screening at Speed Program. Self-Service Screening is a network of connected and integrated Transportation Security Equipment (TSE) that allows travelers to complete the screening process and resolve system alarms with minimal Transportation Security Officer (TSO) interaction.

Self-Service Screening in the News