TSA Forces Port Employees to pay Cost of ID Card
According to GovExec.com, the Transportation Security Administration has released new procurement procedures to purchase secure ID cards for US ports. Language in the 2006 Homeland Security Appropriations bill requires that credentialing for the ID cards be handled by a trade association, which has drawn some controversy. Instead, there will now be a more open bidding process for the cards. A copy of the new rules are here.
Roughly 850,000 port employees will be required to purchase the ID cards to help address public concerns about port security following the Dubai Ports fiasco earlier this year. The next controversy is going to be over price -- port employees are being told they will have to pay between $105 and $139 for the ID card. Expect the unions to fight this one.
If you're interested in participating in this process at TSA, feel free to let us know.
