TSA Asks for Comments on Information Collections for Certified Cargo Screening Program Pilots
The Transportation Security Administration is requesting comments by June 12, 2009 on the information required to be submitted to the government by applicants and participants in the Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP) pilots1, which allow shippers, indirect air carriers, and other entities to screen cargo off-airport before it is tendered to aircraft operators for transport on passenger aircraft.
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(In July 2008, TSA stated it was conducting two pilot programs: (1) the CCSP (Phase One) pilot involving shippers and other entities such as manufacturers, distributors and third party logistics companies, and (2) the Indirect Air Carrier (IAC) technology (Phase Two) pilot2. The Phase One pilot was being conducted at the following major gateway airports: San Francisco, Chicago, Philadelphia, Seattle, Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth, Miami, Atlanta, and New York/Newark. The Phase Two pilot was running at these airports and additionally at Dulles, Honolulu, Intercontinental Houston, Boston/Logan, Detroit, Denver, San Juan and Orlando.)
TSA Requests Comments on the Information Collections for the CCSP Pilots
TSA is soliciting comments on the four information collections associated with the CCSP pilots, and is interested in comments on whether the information collection is necessary, the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of supplying this information to the government, suggestions for minimizing the burden, etc.
The four are the (1) security threat assessment (STA) application (15 minutes per individual to complete); the (2) Certified Cargo Screening Facility (CCSF) application (15 minutes each to complete); the (3) filing of CCSF training records (five minutes annually); and the (4) CCSF monthly cargo volume report (one hour each week to complete).
(TSA will ask for Office of Management and Budget approval of these information collections after reviewing the comments submitted and before issuing an interim final rule amending 49 CFR on the 9/11 Act3 requirement that TSA develop a system to screen 50 percent of the cargo transported on a passenger aircraft by February 2009 (which TSA states it meets) and to screen 100 percent of such cargo by August 2010.)
Overview of Information Collection Aspect of Pilots
TSA states that entities seeking to become CCSFs are required to submit an application to TSA at least 90 days before the intended date of operation (via e-mail or through the online Air Cargo Document Management System under development, or by postal mail).
TSA will require CCSF applicants to ensure that individuals performing screening and related functions under the interim final rule have successfully completed an STA conducted by TSA. In addition, Security Coordinators and their alternates for CCSFs will need STAs. CCSFs must submit personally identifiable information on these individuals to TSA so that TSA can conduct an STA.
CCSF facilities must also provide information on the amount of cargo screened at an approved facility. In addition, CCSFs must maintain screening and other security-related training records.
(According to TSA, CCSFs may screen cargo off-airport and must implement measures to ensure a secure chain of custody from the point of screening to the point at which the cargo is tendered to the aircraft operator or other regulated entity for transport. TSA uses the information gathered as part of these pilots for the purpose of ''beta testing'' the many processes and procedures associated with the program. TSA will utilize the results to evaluate, refine, and improve the final certified cargo screening program in the interim final rule.)
1The notice states that the information collections are for the Certified Cargo Screening Pilot Program, but TSA sources confirm there are two pilots.
2Recent TSA testimony refers to the IAC technology pilot as the Air Cargo Screening Technology Pilot; TSA sources confirm that this is the new name.
3Section 1602 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-53)
(See ITT's Online Archives or 02/11/09 news, 09021105, for BP summary of TSA testimony that it is working to align the CCSP with CBP's Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT).
See ITT's Online Archives or 03/23/09 news, 09032325, for BP summary of TSA's statement that it is meeting 50% screening mandate.
See ITT's Online Archives or 08/05/08 news, 08080510, for BP summary of TSA testimony mentioning the two pilots.)
TSA information collection notice (FR Pub 04/13/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-8350.pdf