Bills
| 3.23.22

Does DHS Need to Comply With Federal Acquisition Policies In Obtaining Border Security Technology? (H.R. 1634)

Do you support or oppose this bill?

What is H.R. 1634?

(Updated July 19, 2017)

This bill would direct the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) to improve the planning, documentation, and management of certain programs to acquire border security technology. It would compile a plan for the testing and evaluation of these processes to relevant congressional committees.

DHS would be required to develop a plan that complies with federal acquisition policies that are enforced by the Comptroller General.

This legislation would not authorize any additional appropriations to carry out the tasks required of DHS, meaning the agency must use existing funding to comply with this legislation.

Argument in favor

It should be a given that a federal agency must comply with federal acquisition policies, but considering that acquisitions by DHS have been found to be at high risk of waste, fraud, and abuse this bill would increase accountability and transparency.

Argument opposed

Cost overruns happen in all federal agencies, they aren’t a problem specific to DHS. Besides, DHS is already work on getting its accounting standards up to par with other agencies.

Impact

DHS administrators, relevant congressional committees, and the Comptroller General.

Cost of H.R. 1634

The CBO estimates that implementing this legislation would cost less than $500,000 and that the DHS is already undertaking activities required of it in this legislation.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) cited the need for this legislation in a press release, saying that:

“When our border technology projects lack the proper oversight or accountability, it’s bad for taxpayers, those who defend our border, and those living along our border… The Border Security Technology Accountability Act of 2015 will provide improved management of border security technology projects, safeguarding taxpayer dollars and increasing accountability for some of the Department’s largest acquisition purchases.”

Within her press release, Rep. McSally cited reports which found that DHS acquisition programs have been considered to be at high-risk of waste since 200, and that less than one-third of its acquisition programs have appropriate cost-control and performance standards in place. In 2012, the DHS’ major acquisition programs cost 30 percent more than it had anticipated in its five-year funding plan.

This bill was passed by the House Homeland Security Committee via voice vote.


Media:

Summary by Eric Revell
(Photo Credit: Flickr user bossco)