JACKSON, Wyo. — Beginning May 1, Jackson Hole Airport’s (JAC) security screening services will be operated by Federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents. This comes after the TSA denied JAC’s bid to continue its private security screening contract in December 2022.
In late December the Airport Board rebid on the five-year private security contract that it had in place for over 20 years. It provided a bid higher than the Federal Cost Estimate (FCE) because it reflected the true cost of employing staff and operating the security checkpoint.
TSA’s FCE for the bid was lower than the same figure used in the last bid in 2016. The Board submitted “clear concerns” as to why the FCE should be higher than stated in the application and recommended TSA adjust the FCE. TSA rejected the Board’s application because the bid was over the allotted FCE.
On Dec. 14, 2022, the Airport Board was notified that Aviation Security Management (ASM), LLC was awarded the screening contract for JAC. ASM’s contract called for them to begin providing screening services at the Airport on May 1. But on March 13, the Airport was notified by TSA that ASM would not be providing screening services. No specific details for their decision were given.
After ASM backed out of its contract, the TSA gave the Airport Board one final option to sign a new five-year contract that followed the FCE outlined by the TSA in the original contract bid process. In order to staff the checkpoint under the FCE, the Airport Board would have to reduce staffing while also reducing wages and benefits of the remaining staff. Because of these factors, the Airport Board decided not to reapply for the contract.
Airport Board President Ed Liebzeit expressed how the uncertainty and changing circumstances surrounding JAC’s security screening services have not been easy on the Board’s team.
“The Board and staff have exhausted all resources in trying to renegotiate this contract,” said Liebzeit.”Our main objective has been to pay living wages and provide the necessary benefits to all airport staff who make many sacrifices and face challenges living in this area. The Board sincerely appreciates our security screening staff for their patience, professionalism and dedication to the safety of the traveling public over the last 22 years.”
