The Transportation Security Administration recently issued a solicitation for “Credential Authentication Technology” (CAT) which would ensure that only legitimate airport personnel, airline crews, non-traveling passengers using a gate pass, law enforcement officers and Federal Air Marshals can be granted access to sterile airport areas.

“TSA requires a Credential Authentication Technology (herein 'CAT') system which must have the capability to assess a wide variety of credentials and display the authentication results to the Transportation Security Officer (TSO), or other qualified user,” the solicitation document says. “TSA envisions the CAT system as a flexible system that can be deployed in different configurations depending on the needs and constraints of each checkpoint environment.” 

The system would include integrated hardware and software that would validate passenger credentials and allow for network connectivity to the Security Technology Integrated Program (STIP).

The solicitation calls for proposals by prospective vendors by January 13, 2014.