Ted
Let me see if I can help you straighten this out:
1. Is it now on the 'approved' list? The PR didn't say it is.
The Smiths unit is not only approved, it is qualified.
Being on the Qualified list does not guarantee getting any government contracts.
This holds true for any technology on the list, including Implant's.
2. How is approval for portables different than approval for bench-tops?
This depends on the usage. Handheld units and Benchtop units are for different purposes. They test different materials, so the approval has to be tailored to the materials being tested for explosives. For example, one might be used for a package, the other may be for clothing. Different surfaces need to be tested differently.
TSA recently changed the solicitation for ETD equipment for Checkpoint Screening (passengers at airports). The solicitation used to be for both Handheld and Benchtop units. They recently changed the solicitation to be for Benchtop units only, so no handheld devices are in the running here. Implant Sciences QS-B220 Benchtop ETD unit is mid-way thru the qualification process for Checkpoint Screening.
3. What is supposed to happen with the portables that expire at the end of June? Are they to be replaced by other portables, or bench-top?
I am not 100% sure on this, but logic would say that nothing is supposed to happen with these old units except that they no longer are qualified for TSA purposes. They no longer meet TSA requirements for trace detection. Toss'em on the garbage heap (unless they use radiation, in which case you probably have a bugaboo on how and where to dispose of them)
4. Why isn't IMSC's portable being tested with the TSA?
Because TSA is not soliciting for handheld devices at this time.
5. Why is all this so confusing?
I can't help you there ;)
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