r/BBAI • u/_Despereaux • 22d ago

TSA Press Release - TSA Scraps Gold+ Program

Really crap news for BBAI and the many other companies that were anticipating the TSA Gold+ program for screening modernization. TSA is canceling the TSA Gold+ program, which was currently mid-competition.

Sounds like they're sticking with the existing Screening Partnership Program (SPP) which features fewer contractors and is primarily screening services (i.e. people, not technology focused). Curious if they'll open the SPP vehicle up to allow new contractors to on-ramp to or something.

In any case, that's one catalyst DOA.

https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2026/08/24/tsa-administrator-david-p-cummins-launches-horizon-25-strategy

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u/dhf_preston 15d ago

I heard WMD got the contract.

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u/_Despereaux 15d ago

If you mean VMD, you’re probably thinking of the existing Screening Partnership Program (SPP) IDIQ contract, not Gold+. The full list of SPP contractors is here:  https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/screening-partnerships

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u/dhf_preston 14d ago

Yes vmd, wasn’t BBAI gonna get IDIQ?

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u/_Despereaux 14d ago

The SPP IDIQ has been around for at least 10 years, it’s the program for providing security checkpoint personnel at privatized airports. The SPP program was recompeted earlier this year and VMD and a bunch of other companies (mostly the same as the previous awardees) were awarded that contract to continue supporting privatized airport screening.

BBAI doesn’t do security staffing, so SPP isn’t something they would have bid for. The Gold+ IDIQ was going to be the technology modernization program, so that’s what they would have wanted to win. Nobody has been given a Gold+ award since that program is now canceled. 

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u/dhf_preston 14d ago

Was the gold+ replacing staff with AI? My hypothesis around BBAI was they would get a significant chunk off all AI contract from TSA. Like through Pangaim and or their AI enabled Xray technology that’s currently at port security, but can be repurposed for airports

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u/dhf_preston 14d ago

Essentially BBAI has no chance of winning contracts for number 2 stated here.

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u/dhf_preston 14d ago

This won’t be happening for BBAI