Agencies also have a responsibility to  monitor and maintain accurate records on the status of our  recommendations. We will close the recommendation  as not implemented if TSA has indicated that it was not taking action or  we determined that it was unlikely that TSA would take action to close  these recommendations. TSA Has Implemented 51 of 58 Recommendations Relating to the Acquisition of Security-Related Technology Aimed at Improving Agency Planning and Analysis

TSA has implemented 51 of the 58 recommendations we made from  October 1, 2003, through July 31, 2015, intended to improve TSA’s  acquisition of security-related technology, and has not implemented the  remaining 7 recommendations (see fig. 1). TSA has not implemented 7 recommendations we made from fiscal year  2003 through July 31, 2015. The 3 open recommendations are focused  on improving AIT operations, while the 4 closed recommendations were  related to establishing the effectiveness of canine screening, conducting  technical assessments to strengthen airport perimeter security, and AIT  operations. TSA concurred with this recommendation. However, we  continue to believe that the recommendation has merit and should be  fully implemented. TSA’s Implementation of GAO Recommendations Has Resulted in Financial Benefits and Other Programmatic and Process Improvements

Since fiscal year 2003, we have identified approximately $1.7 billion in  financial benefits, largely representing funds that TSA used to support  other programs and activities, based on implementation of our  recommendations as well as findings from our related reports and  testimonies on security-related technology acquisitions. We have also  identified additional benefits, including programmatic and process  improvements to TSA’s programs stemming from implementation of our  recommendations and related work. Agency Comments and Our Evaluation

We provided a draft of this report to DHS for review and comment. DHS  did not provide formal comments but provided technical comments from  TSA which we incorporated as appropriate. Product Title

Recommendation  To assist TSA in further  strengthening the development  and implementation of the  Secure Flight program, the  Secretary of Homeland Security  should direct the Assistant  Secretary of TSA to fully  implement the provisions in the  program’s risk management  plan to include developing an  inventory of risks with  prioritization and mitigation  strategies, report the status of  risks and progress to  management, and maintain  documentation of these efforts. Product Number GAO-14-357

Issue Date  March 31, 2014  To help ensure that TSA  improves Screening Officers’  (SO) performance on Advanced  Imaging Technology systems  equipped with Automated  Targeted Recognition (AIT- ATR) and uses resources  effectively, the Administrator of  the Transportation Security  Administration should establish  protocols that facilitate the  capturing of operational data on  secondary screening of  passengers at the checkpoint to  determine the extent to which  AIT-ATR system false alarm  rates affect operational costs  once AIT-ATR systems are  networked together.
Why GAO Did This Study

Within DHS, TSA is the federal agency responsible for securing domestic transportation systems. The Transportation Security Acquisition Reform Act (TSARA) contains a provision for GAO to submit a report to Congress containing an assessment of TSA's implementation of GAO recommendations regarding the acquisition of security-related technology. This report addresses (1) the status of TSA's implementation of relevant GAO recommendations since 2003 and the characteristics of those recommendations and (2) benefits realized by TSA in implementing those recommendations.
GAO determined the number and status of recommendations made to TSA from October 1, 2003, after TSA had become a part of the newly created DHS, through July 31, 2015, as well as the benefits derived from the recommendations TSA implemented, using an internal database that GAO maintains on the status of recommendations it makes. GAO specifically identified recommendations related to the acquisition of technology that helps TSA prevent or defend against threats to domestic transportation systems. TSA concurred with GAO's list of recommendations. TSA also provided technical comments on a draft of this report which GAO incorporated as appropriate. DHS did not provide formal comments.

What GAO Found

The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has implemented 51 of the 58 recommendations GAO made from October 1, 2003, through July 31, 2015, to improve TSA's acquisition of security-related technology. GAO's recommendations generally directed TSA to develop a plan; conduct an analysis; or implement a program, policy, or procedure. For example, in March 2014, GAO recommended that TSA establish protocols to capture operational data on secondary screening of passengers at the checkpoint, to help ensure screening officers' performance.
TSA has not implemented 7 of the 58 recommendations. GAO closed 4 of the 7 recommendations because TSA stated that it would not take action or GAO determined that it was unlikely that TSA would take action. These recommendations were related to establishing the effectiveness of canine screening, conducting technical assessments to strengthen airport perimeter security and Advanced Imaging Technology. The remaining 3 open recommendations are focused on improving Advanced Imaging Technology operations. GAO continues to believe these recommendations are valid and should be fully addressed.
Since fiscal year 2003, GAO has identified approximately $1.7 billion in financial benefits, largely representing funds that TSA used to support other programs and activities, based on implementation of GAO's recommendations as well as findings from related GAO reports and testimonies on security-related technology acquisitions. GAO has also documented additional benefits, including programmatic and process improvements to TSA's programs, such as improvements to TSA's Electronic Baggage Screening Program's cost estimating processes.