TSA 15-03
Friday, February 28, 2003
Media Contact: (202) 385-1800
TSA
Selects Lockheed Martin Management and Data Systems to build TSA Passenger
Pre-Screening System
Under
Secretary of Transportation for Security Adm. James M. Loy today announced that
the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has selected Lockheed Martin to
develop
a passenger risk assessment and prescreening system, also known as the Computer Assisted Passenger
Pre-Screening System II (CAPPS II).
CAPPS II is an automated screening system authorized by
Congress in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
It is a narrowly focused threat assessment tool, based on continuously
changing intelligence information and threat priorities.
As a resource management tool, it will help TSA direct limited on-site
screening resources where they are most needed.
CAPPS II is being designed with the utmost concern for
the individual privacy rights of American citizens.
CAPPS II is a passive system activated by a traveler’s airline
reservation request. When the
system is implemented, airlines will begin asking passengers for a slightly
expanded amount of reservation information:
the passenger’s full name plus address, phone number and date of birth.
This is the only public source
information that TSA will collect for CAPPS II.
“CAPPS II will become a critical element in TSA’s
‘system of systems’ which now protects the aviation system, including the
thorough screening of luggage and passengers by professionally trained federal
workers, fortified cockpit doors in all airliners, and thousands of Federal Air
Marshals aboard a record number of flights,” said Adm. Loy.
“CAPPS II is being designed to serve our national
security without sacrificing individual privacy.
Concerns about privacy are understandable. As we address such concerns, we believe that the public will
come to have a higher comfort level in air travel,” said Adm. Loy.
Under the terms of the competitively awarded contract,
Lockheed Martin will assist TSA in developing the program technology
infrastructure and will administer it for TSA through a five-year task order
contract that provides flexibility to TSA to accomplish the goals outlined in
the Aviation and Transportation Security Act.
The first task order was awarded for $12.8 million.
The passenger risk assessment will be conducted by TSA.
For additional information regarding the Transportation
Security Administration, please visit our website at www.tsa.gov.
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