What Airports and Airlines Need to Know About the TSA Capability Acceptance Process

A few weeks ago, at the Passenger Terminal Expo in London, I found myself in a conversation I’ve been having more and more frequently. An airport security director asked me: “We’ve identified technology we want to bring into our checkpoints, but how do we actually get it into TSA operations?”

The answer, more often than not, is the TSA Capability Acceptance Process. And given how often this question comes up from airports and airlines alike, I thought it was worth putting together a clear overview of how CAP works, what makes a strong submission, and why it matters now more than ever for US aviation security.

Security technology moves fast. TSA procurement does not always keep pace. The Capability Acceptance Process (CAP) exists precisely to bridge that gap, providing airports, airlines, and other security partners with a formal, compliant route to bring advanced capabilities into TSA operations.

If you haven’t looked closely at CAP yet, now is a good time.

Why Does CAP Matter for Airports and Airlines?
Airports and airlines are often closer to the operational realities of security screening than TSA procurement cycles allow. You see the bottlenecks. You understand where technology can reduce wait times, improve detection, and ease pressure on your checkpoints.

One of the most impactful capabilities airports and airlines are bringing to TSA through CAP is Image on Alarm Only (IOAO) screening. Traditional security screening requires an officer to manually review every single bag hundreds per hour, thousands per shift. The vast majority are harmless, and that constant volume erodes focus precisely when it matters most. IOAO changes this. Certified AI algorithms automatically clear safe bags in real time, bringing the human operator in only when a potential threat is detected. The result is faster throughput, reduced fatigue, and sharper decision-making at the moments that count without removing the human from the process.

CAP gives you agency. Rather than waiting for TSA to independently adopt new technology, stakeholders can take the lead in identifying, procuring, and transferring capabilities that improve security outcomes at their facilities.

For airports and airlines focused on passenger experience, this matters. Faster, more accurate screening is not just a security outcome; it is an operational and reputational one.

How Does the Process Work?
The CAP follows a defined sequence:

1. Intent to offer – The stakeholder formally signals their intent to procure capability and transfer it to TSA. This establishes the framework for the submission.
2. Evaluation – TSA assesses the submission against operational requirements and compliance criteria. The process is objective; every submission goes through the same framework.
3. Acceptance – If approved, TSA accepts the capability and moves toward implementation at the relevant facility.

The process is designed to be consistent and transparent, with clear criteria at each stage.


What Makes a Strong CAP Submission?
Not every technology is equally well-positioned for a CAP submission. Based on what TSA looks for operationally, the strongest submissions tend to share a few characteristics:

• Proven deployment history – technology that has been tested and validated in real operational environments carries more weight than unproven solutions
• Integration compatibility – the capability that works with the screening infrastructure already in place is easier to implement and faster to accept
• Clear operational benefit – submissions that demonstrate a measurable improvement to throughput, detection, or checkpoint efficiency are more compelling
• Vendor stability and support – TSA needs confidence that the vendor can deliver implementation and ongoing support at scale

If you are evaluating which technology to put forward through a CAP submission, these are the criteria worth pressure-testing before you begin.


Common Misconceptions About CAP

“CAP is a procurement shortcut.”
It is not. The CAP operates within established DHS and TSA acquisition rules. It is a formal process, not a bypass.

“Only large primes can participate.”
Stakeholders of various sizes have engaged with CAP. What matters is the quality and compliance of the submission, not the scale of the organization behind it.

“The technology has to be TSA-approved before submission.”
Not necessarily. Part of the CAP process is TSA’s own evaluation. What helps is having documented performance data and a credible deployment track record to support your submission.


Is CAP Right for Your Airport or Airline?
If you are an airport or airline that has identified a gap in your screening operation and a technology you believe could close it, the CAP program is worth exploring seriously.

IOAO screening is one of the most compelling capabilities entering TSA operations through CAP today. The process requires preparation, but the outcome is meaningful: the ability to bring best-in-class capabilities into your checkpoints on a timeline that reflects operational needs, not just procurement cycles.

If you would like to talk through how the CAP process applies to your situation, our team is happy to help. → Get in Touch

Todd Silvestri
Chief Business Officer, Americas, SeeTrue