Overview
Title
Intent To Request Approval From OMB of One Current Public Collection of Information: Screening Partnership Program
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The TSA is asking people to share their thoughts about a process where airports can choose private companies to do security checks instead of government workers. Some people think it's not clear how these private companies are picked or what happens if they don't do a good job.
Summary AI
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is inviting public comments on an approved information collection concerning the Screening Partnership Program (SPP). This collection, related to airport operators opting for private companies instead of federal employees for security screening, is being reviewed for extension under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The application entails basic details about the airport and preferences for private screening. TSA expects minimal annual responses and estimates a low burden for the completion of each application. Comments are open until April 13, 2021.
Abstract
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) invites public comment on one currently approved Information Collection Request (ICR), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number 1652-0064, abstracted below that we will submit to OMB for an extension in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The collection involves an application completed by airport operators desiring to opt-out of passenger and baggage security screening performed by federal employees, preferring a qualified private screening company to perform security screening functions under a contract entered into with TSA.
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Sources
AnalysisAI
Summary
The document in question is a notice from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), inviting public comments on the extension of an Information Collection Request related to the Screening Partnership Program (SPP). This program permits airport operators to opt for private companies to handle passenger and baggage security screening, in place of federal employees. The notice outlines the application process for airports wishing to join the SPP and indicates that TSA expects minimal responses from airport operators, estimating a low burden for the completion of each application.
Significant Issues and Concerns
A few concerns arise upon reviewing this document. Firstly, the criteria for selecting private screening companies remain unspecified, which could lead to perceptions of bias or inconsistency in their selection. Furthermore, the estimated annual burden of 30 minutes per respondent appears to conflict with the statement that the total burden for all respondents annually is 0.5 hours, especially given the presumption that ten or more operators might respond. Clarification here would be crucial to understanding the overall administrative load on the TSA and airport operators.
Moreover, the document fails to clarify how many additional airports might potentially join the SPP, information that could bear significant budgetary and operational consequences. The optional information that airports can provide to support their application is vaguely mentioned, leading to uncertainty about what kinds of information would be beneficial or necessary. Additionally, the document does not address how the transition process from federal to private screening will be managed, nor are there any strategies described for handling situations where a private screening company underperforms.
Impact on the Public
The broader public may perceive the shift from federal to private screening as a positive development if it results in increased efficiency or improved customer service at airports. However, without clear guidelines or transparency in the selection of private firms, there could be concerns about the quality and consistency of security screening processes. Transparency in this process is essential to maintain public trust in airport security.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Airport operators stand to benefit from SPP by potentially having more flexibility in their choice of security screening providers, which might allow for better cost management or improved service delivery. Private security firms have a significant opportunity to expand their operations by entering into contracts with airports looking to transition away from federal screenings.
Conversely, federal employees currently performing these security screenings might face job insecurity if airports decide to opt for private companies. There could also be logistical challenges during the transition period, potentially impacting airport operations.
In summary, while the TSA's invitation for comments on the SPP could lead to operational improvements in airport security, various important details remain underexplained. Addressing these concerns adequately could strengthen the program's implementation and ensure it meets its objectives efficiently and effectively.
Issues
• The document lacks specific criteria or guidelines on how private screening companies are evaluated or selected, which could lead to perceptions of favoritism or inconsistency in the selection process.
• The estimation of the annual burden seems unclear. The text states both that the burden is estimated to be 30 minutes per respondent and that the total burden for all respondents annually is 0.5 hours. These statements appear to conflict with the presumption that ten or more airport operators could respond.
• The document mentions that TSA currently has a presence at 450 airports, but it lacks clarity on how many more airports might potentially join the SPP, which could have significant budgetary and operational implications.
• The language regarding the optional information that can be provided by airports to support their application is vague, leaving potential ambiguity about what kind of information might be beneficial or necessary.
• There is no discussion on how the transition from federal to private screening will be managed or any potential costs associated with it, which may be useful for evaluating overall cost-effectiveness.
• The document does not specify any back-up plans or requirements if a private screening company does not perform as expected.