Two airports have opted into the Transportation Security Administration\u2019s new \u201cGold+\u201d privatization model, becoming the first to do so, with TSA employees at those locations being told they will be offered jobs with a to-be-determined private screening contractor.<\/p>\n
Des Moines International Airport and Tampa International Airport have each respectively chosen to transition to TSA Gold+, according to emails viewed by Federal News Network.<\/p>\n
TSA unveiled the Gold+ initiative<\/a> earlier this year. The agency plans to pay private contractors to manage both airport screening staff and the technology at airport checkpoints,<\/a> while TSA provides oversight.<\/p>\n The rollout of the program hold major implications for some 47,000 federal airport screeners employed by TSA today.<\/p>\n ]]><\/p>\n TSA employees at Tampa International Airport were told of the change in a late Monday morning email. They were informed of planned town halls that would include information on \u201cright of first refusal,\u201d which requires a private contractor to offer jobs to displaced government workers before hiring new staff.<\/p>\n \u201cTampa International Airport\u2019s decision to join TSA Gold+ reflects the airport\u2019s strong commitment to modernization, innovation, and operational resilience in aviation security,\u201d Tampa International Airport Director of Communications Emily Nipps told Federal News Network. \u201cThe change to privatization not only reduces disruption risks caused by lapses in federal appropriations or government shutdowns but also allows greater flexibility in exploring new screening infrastructure and technology to enhance the customer experience.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, at Des Moines, TSA employees were informed about the planned transition in an early Monday morning email. Staff were told they will have the option of \u201caccepting employment with the private screening company once selected.\u201d Other options include reassignment to another airport with TSA vacancies, pursuing another federal position or retirement, if eligible.<\/p>\n In a press release, Des Moines International Airport connected the decision with plans to open a new terminal in 2027.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a TSA program that offers the opportunity to pair TSA\u2019s security oversight with some of the newest checkpoint technology available,\u201d Brian Mulcahy, chief executive officer of Des Moines Airport Authority, said in the press release. \u201cAs we prepare to open our new terminal, we\u2019re excited for this leap forward in technology that would improve the passenger experience.\u201d<\/p>\n The emails announcing the transitions were shared with Federal News Network by Against Giants Labor Advocates LLC, which provides specialized representation and advocacy for TSA officers and DHS employees. Scott Robinson, a former TSA employee and the founder of Against Giants Labor Advocates, said that while Des Moines and Tampa are the first Gold+ airports, \u201cthere will likely be many more to follow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOur concern is how this impacts the workforce at each airport and the presumption of a federal career they had when they took the job,\u201d Robinson said.<\/p>\n ]]><\/p>\n While airports are beginning to opt into Gold+, TSA has yet to select contractors to participate in the program.<\/p>\n The agency released<\/a> a revised request for proposals for Gold+ on July 17. TSA plans to award a 10-year, multiple-award contract. Proposals are now due July 31.<\/p>\n The effective start date of the contract is now projected for Sept. 28, according to TSA\u2019s solicitation.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is a tight turnaround from federal to private, with one of these airports less than six months out without a contractor even formally being selected as of today,\u201d Robinson said. \u201cWe will continue working to inform the workforce of the actual and potential changes to their workplace, and to what they understood to be a career.\u201d<\/p>\n The Trump administration has undertaken broader efforts to privatize airport screening, including expanding its existing Screening Partnership Program (SPP) to smaller airports across the country.<\/a> TSA leaders say the Gold+ initiative will build on SPP and help modernize airport security with \u201ccutting edge aviation security solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n Under the Trump administration, the Department of Homeland Security has also attempted to terminate the collective bargaining agreement that covers TSA airport screeners. A federal judge blocked DHS\u2019 latest attempt to so in January.<\/a><\/p>\n Earlier this year, President Donald Trump nominated David Cummins, a former senior vice president at government contractor Serco, to serve as TSA administrator.<\/p>\n