Elizabeth K. Gant

Reference: TSA–2009–0018 RIN 1652–AA64 Air Cargo Screening; Reopening of Comment Period published in the Federal Register on September 30, 2011. Please refer to TSA docket number TSA–2009–0018. We are commenting on the proposed fees for the Security Threat Assessments. Comments: We are wondering why the cost estimates seem so high. It appears that an average background check runs anywhere from $10 to $20 per person. Is this something that is done by TSA personnel or can this be outsourced? These costs must be passed on to the consumer by the IAC’s and the carriers, so to minimize the impact to commerce, the absolutely lowest fee should be charged. Portion of Rule we are referring to: The fee TSA establishes for the STA should cover all the costs related to the STA process. TSA estimates that the final fee to the applicant will be between $31 and $51 per applicant based on the total estimated cost of services provided ($26,818,182). This cost will be equally apportioned to the estimated population (651,731) receiving the threat assessment service. The resulting fee will be sufficient to fully recover the remaining STA costs.