TSA needs “measurable criteria to compare and evaluate the
performance of both contractor and federal screening operations,
said the report.
TSA management said that in September 2003, the “performance
evaluation plan” was incorporated into each contract, covering
operational, technical, management, leadership, contract-management
and human resources criteria to evaluate contractor performance.
According the IG, TSA issued measurements for evaluating contractor
performance in September 2003, but did not address the requirement to
develop criteria to compare contractors to federal screeners, something
that it has started doing with initiatives such as its Bearing Point study.
The report further recommended that TSA establish a “true passenger
and baggage screening pilot program that allows greater flexibility for
both contractor and federally staffed airports to test innovations and
new approaches in hiring, training, and managing screeners.”
TSA managers responded by saying that TSA formed a leadership
team to address those issues and to provide HR flexibility, such as
granting the contractors the authority to do their own recruiting
staffing and scheduling.
