Sole Source Justification JA-2026-03-8045 - TSA STIP SETA Bridge Support

This sole-source justification provides authority to award a task order on the basis of other than full and open competition for Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) support services.

The contractor will perform SETA services to assist the SC Security Technology Integration Program (STIP) in system development and operations and maintenance (O&M). This includes providing technical guidance throughout the acquisition lifecycle and systems engineering life cycle (SELC), reviewing open architecture (OA), System of Systems (SoS), design documentation, and supporting risk management activities. The contractor will also assist in developing and maintaining documentation, reviewing operational processes for compliance and efficiency, supporting incident response and troubleshooting, and execution of major initiatives within STIP and related security technology efforts.

These services will ensure accurate reporting and device connectivity to TSANetwork (TSANet) via the Security Technology Information eXchange (STIX) for alarm counts and throughput data. The contractor will validate the accuracy and integrity of system-generated reports, support improvements to reporting tools, and ensure compliance with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and TSA data standards. Additionally, the contractor will review and validate device integration with TSANet, verify data transmission protocols, and assist in resolving connectivity issues to ensure reliable data collection and aggregation.

STIP is the interface of Secure Flight (SF), Credential Authentication Technology CAT 2 (CAT-2), enhanced metal detectors (EMDs), and connectivity of other Transportation Security Equipment (TSE). These TSEs enhance the capabilities necessary to sustain TSA’s mission-critical operations, equip the frontline, and safeguard the traveling public. STIP provides the connection between TSEs located in airports and the TSANet for sharing of mission, and operational and maintenance data. Specifically, STIP enables network connectivity for exchanging the near-real time passenger vetting status of more than 1.7 million passengers daily between TSA’s SF system and over 2,100 CAT / CAT-2 units deployed at airports across the country. Without a STIP connection, that data cannot be shared with the checkpoints and data is performed manually by Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) on an hourly basis. SETA support services are paramount to providing technical monitoring of the STIP platform including analysis of vulnerabilities to the system and identification of process improvements and efficiencies to current and continuous operational changes.

Only B&B can provide the required continuity of services with the highest level of confidence while maintaining support for active and time-sensitive SC initiatives and operations and maintenance services. These SC initiatives include ensuring successful management and completion of Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) connectivity, Security Technology Information eXchange (STIX) connectivity, and operational utility evaluation (OUE) activities by November 2026; ensuring successful management and completion of the STIP database server migration to Windows Server 19 by January 2027; ensuring successful completion and operational readiness of the Data Center 15 (DC15) development lab by March 2027; and ensuring successful management and completion of ongoing STIP engineering change requests (ECRs), enhancements, and O&M.

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