TSA to extend tech services deal

Transportation Security Administration officials will extend a bridge contract for the program that underlies the agency's information technology infrastructure, according to a notice released by the agency today.

The IT Managed Services contract handles the deployment and management of TSA's hardware and software.

Agency officials awarded the contract to Unisys in August 2002. The contract expires in August, but TSA can't take advantage of two optional one-year extensions under the current contract, according to the notice.

Homeland Security Department officials want to consolidate all their IT spending within the next three years, the notice states. TSA wants the bridge contract to last until DHS officials make that departmentwide procurement.

TSA officials also intend to increase competitive bidding for nonessential services by opening activities such as wireless communications and program management to other companies, the notice states.

Agency officials plan to send Unisys a request for proposals around June 1 and award the contract by Aug. 11, according to the notice. The contract would be for one year with two one-year extensions.