Provision of a Third Party Assessor of Threat Image Projection (TIP) Image Libraries and Collation of TIP Data

Description

Under the National Aviation Security Programme (NASP), the UK has regulated the use of Threat Image Projection (TIP), and this will shortly become mandatory for the screening of cabin baggage and items carried at all airport passenger and staff checkpoints. Historically the image libraries have been centrally provided by the Department for Transport (DfT), however given the increasing range of security screening equipment available, moving forward the Civil Aviation Authority will be seeking to assess and approve libraries created by third party suppliers, including by the equipment manufacturers themselves, using a set of standardised physical threat articles. After initial approval, image libraries must have 10% of their images updated and re-approved annually. There are currently 8 libraries which have already been approved and would require annual re-approval. The CAA is accordingly looking to identify and contract with an independent third party (ie one who is not involved in the production of the libraries) to assess the content and suitability of new or amended image libraries against agreed criteria, and provide advice and recommendations as to their approval or otherwise. The supplier would be required to manage the physical threat item library and to undertake assessment of both initial and annual updates of image libraries. Additionally, the contractor would receive and collate monthly TIP data generated, which would be provided direct by around 50 UK airports, conduct initial analysis of the data received, and provide monthly reports to the CAA based on this data . It is important both for the ongoing resource and functionality of the capability, and also its independence, that the assessment is carried out by a third party appointed by the CAA on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT). Under this arrangement, CAA will maintain oversight of the third party provider on a continuous basis. In the future the use of TIP may be extended to other areas of aviation security screening, such as hold baggage, cargo and in-flight supplies, each of which would require initial and subsequent re-approval of TIP libraries. For library approvals it is envisaged the contractor would levy a fee direct from the applicant for each application assessed, based on a scale of charges to be agreed with the CAA. The cost of collating and analysing TIP data would be charged direct to the CAA.