TSA paid $1.4 million for Randomizer app that chooses left or right

Geek.com
Matthew Humphries
TSA_Randomizer

When someone starts learning how to code, one of the first things they create is a program that generates and outputs random numbers. In most cases it’s an incredibly simple program to make because your programming language of choice has a randomizing function available to use.

Keeping the above in mind, I now turn your attention to the Transport Security Administration and the Randomizer app they use every day. If you’ve traveled through US airports in recent years then you’re well aware of the TSA Pre-Check lanes. It is a faster way to get through airport security for low-risk travelers, and allows you to keep your shoes and belt on.

TSA Pre-Check is faster, but it also includes random searches and that’s where the Randomizer app comes in. The app randomly chooses whether travelers go left or right in the Pre-Check lane. That way, nobody can predict which lane each person is assigned to and therefore can’t figure out how to avoid the random checks.

Here’s the app in action:

So how much did the TSA pay to have the Randomizer iPad app developed? At least $336,413.59.

That’s $336,413.59 for an app that does nothing more than randomly select left or right a few hundred times an hour.

We know this thanks to developer Kevin Burke, who submitted a Freedom of Information Act request asking for details about the app. And if you think paying over $336,000 for an app like this is ridiculous, well, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

The contract for the TSA Randomizer app was won by IBM. The total paid for the project is actually $1.4 million, but the cost is not broken down in the documents Burke received in response to his request. It could be IBM supplied all the iPads and training as well as the app itself. Even so, the cost of the project is crazy. It’s an app that is just randomly selects left or right.

I understand that software used for security checks at airports must be rigorously tested and reviewed, but I have a hard time believing such checks cost $1.4 million. In fact, I’m sure there’s many reputable developers out there who’d supply the TSA with the same app for a few thousand dollars.



http://www.geek.com/apps/tsa-paid-1-4-million-for-randomizer-app-that-chooses-left-or-right-1651337/

Let me help the TSA out....and my method will only cost them $.25. Yep...a whole quarter...flip it, heads goes right, tails goes left
Youre welcome fedgov

b-b-b-but that's not expensive enough!

I don't think you are taking into account the nuances of implementing any governmental program.
They would spend $5 million conducting probability studies on whether heads or tails will result from a quarter, nickel, dime coin flip.
Then if they didn't find a coin which doesn't favor an outcome they would spend another $10 million developing a coin that would have equal outcomes. Those coins would become collector items that would "mysteriously" disappear with TSA employees having no idea where they went resulting in a replacement cost of millions more yearly.

actually, 2 of 5 million would go to the guy who thought a we needed this study, and 7 of the 10 million would go to the person who decided we needed that coin...

You are correct good sir. And I also forgot about the possibility of one of those fine, upstanding TSA employees seeing the figure on either the quarter, nickel. or dime...and getting "triggered". "Egads!" at all the money that would have to be spent to build safe spaces for all the emotional trauma incurred by having to view, say, 'ol Thomas Jefferson all day.

Don't forget the several billion spent in developing a race neutral face to the coin, aerodynamic and battlefield testing, as well as increase in insurance and disability costs for work place accidents involving being struck by a quickly falling metal object and thumb fatigue, as well as routine EPA and HHS studies to determine long term environmental impact studies on handling the coin over prolonged use.

And of course there are the quarterly, yearly, 5 year, 10 year continuing coin maintenance and fuel costs.

And that's after the company that won the contract to produce the coin for the TSA continuously went over the projected budget.

And eventually the FBI and homeland security would want the TSA to provide special encryption and deencryption keys to make sure the face of the coin could be hidden from terrorists while allowing a back door surveillance program for its own ends.

Not to mention the potential passing of laws no longer allowing passengers to bring loose change on board as it's a potential weapon used to confuse TSA agents.


I do wonder if the TSA designated coin flipper would be taxed extra since possession of the coin during work hours could technically be considered income.