The Jackson Hole Airport Board announced yesterday that security screening services will be operated by Federal Transportation Security Administration or TSA agents beginning this May.
Late last year, the Airport Board rebid on the 5-year private security contract has been in place for over 20 years.
The Federal Government rejected the Airport’s Federal Cost Estimate saying it was too expensive. TSA countered with a lower cost estimate that was actually lower than their last bid 2016.
The Airport Board said the amount should be higher to reflect the true cost of employing staff in Jackson and the costs of operating the security checkpoint.
TSA rejected the Board’s application, for the first time in two decades.
In December, a company called Aviation Security Management was awarded the Screening Contract for Jackson Hole Airport starting on May 1st.
Last week however, Aviation Security Management suddenly announced it would not be providing screening services after all. No reason for their decision was given.
Then TSA gave the Airport a final option to keep a private screening operation, which was to sign a new 5-year contract at the lower cost proposed by TSA.
In order to do that however, the Airport Board determined that it would have to reduce staffing while also reducing wages and benefits of remaining staff.
So, the Board decided not to reapply for the contract.
As a result, TSA will take over at the beginning of May.
