TSA to follow FAR and DHS acquisition regs

The Homeland Security Department has amended its procurement regulations to include the Transportation Security Administration as of June 23 — a change required by the 2008 omnibus appropriations bill signed by President Bush in December.Despite joining DHS in 2003, TSA had been exempt from DHS’ acquisition rules and the larger Federal Acquisition Regulation System. Instead, TSA procurements were subject to the Federal Aviation Administration’s regulations under the Aviation and Transportation Security Act. The final rule was  published today in the Federal Register. The department said a period of public comment on the rule change was not required because the amendment implements a legislative mandate, and the change in regulations is administrative or technical in nature.