Air Cargo Screening Qualification Test Process Guide

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is seeking vendors to qualify their air cargo screening devices for inclusion on the Air Cargo Screening Technology List (ACSTL). The ACSTL serves as the official technology list for regulated parties to use when procuring screening equipment. Vendors must submit a white paper, which will be reviewed by the TSA to determine if the device meets the threshold criteria for entering the Air Cargo Screening Qualification Test (ACSQT) process. The ACSQT process involves two stages of testing: Stage I, which verifies device conformance with requirements, and Stage II, which validates device performance in an operational air cargo screening environment. Vendors must comply with the TSA's Functional Requirements Document (FRD) and Qualification Management Plan (QMP) to participate in the ACSQT process. Some key points to consider are: • The ACSTL has four qualification groups: Visual Image (VI), Explosive Trace Detection (ETD), Metal Detection (MD), and Explosive Detection System (EDS). • Each qualification group has its own set of high-level requirements, which are outlined in the FRD. • Vendors must provide documentation and technical support during the Physical Configuration Audit (PCA) and Stage I testing. • Devices that pass Stage I testing will be added to the Approved section of the ACSTL, and devices that pass Stage II testing will be added to the Qualified section. • Vendors are responsible for maintaining a configuration-controlled Master Configuration Item List (MCIL) and notifying TSA of anticipated configuration changes throughout the lifecycle of the device.