TWIC program may run into further delays
The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) is still being developed by the Transportation Security Administration. The credential will ensure that only workers that do not pose a terrorist threat are allowed to enter secure areas of transportation facilities.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO), however, is reporting that the biometric-based identification card program is susceptible to more cost overruns and delays.
“Rapidly moving forward with implementation of the TWIC program without developing and testing solutions to identify problems to ensure that they work effectively could lead to further problems, increased costs and program delays without achieving the program’s intended goals,” the GAO report says.
The GAO points out three primary challenges facing the TSA: enrolling workers and issuing cards in a timely manner to a large number of workers; ensuring that biometric readers work effectively; and balancing security components of the program with the potential impact on facilities.
“The program has been plagued by cost overruns and missed deadlines,” Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Daniel Inouye of Hawaii said in response to the report.
The report also found that poor planning and lack of effective oversight by TSA resulted in a doubling of contract costs, Inouye said.
A study by an independent contractor last year concluded that the cost for nationwide implementation of TWIC could range from $1.1 billion to almost $2 billion. The contractor’s assessment found deficiencies with TWIC program testing and recommended that additional testing be conducted to determine its effectiveness.