House Passes LaTurner's Bipartisan DHS Acquisition Reform Act

Statement

Tonight, the United States House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed H.R. 6871, the DHS Acquisition Reform Act, introduced by Congressman Jake LaTurner (R-KS). This legislation will help ensure that the proper oversight and organizational structures are in place for the Department of Homeland Security to acquire goods and services in the most efficient way possible to make DHS a better steward of taxpayer money.

"The Department of Homeland Security continues to face financial challenges in its acquisition programs. During fiscal year 2020, multiple DHS acquisition programs had been in breach of their cost goals, schedule goals, or a combination of both. This fiscal negligence will cost DHS, and subsequently American taxpayers, more money to get what the Department needs. With inflation reaching record highs, it's vital that Congress works to hold the Biden Administration accountable for their federal spending," said Congressman LaTurner. "I'm proud the House overwhelmingly passed my legislation, the DHS Acquisition Reform Act, to help make the Department of Homeland Security a better steward of taxpayer money."

Background:

In January 2021, GAO reported that, of the 24 acquisition programs it audited, 10 had been in breach of their cost goals, schedule goals, or a combination of both, at some point during fiscal year 2020.

Further, in 2018, the OIG reported that DHS components have a habit of acquiring goods and services before they adequately define their requirements or develop performance measures. The more DHS tacitly accepts this type of behavior in its programs, the more program costs can be expected to grow.

The DHS Acquisition Reform Act (H.R. 6871):

The bill designates the DHS Under Secretary for Management (USM) as the Department's Chief Acquisition Officer (CAO) and outlines specific responsibilities and authorities regarding acquisitions. These responsibilities include overseeing the DHS Acquisition Review Board, exercising acquisition decision authority to approve, modify or cancel acquisition programs, and establishing and distributing policies regarding acquisitions.

The bill also adds two new sections to the Homeland Security Act of 2002. First, it names the Office of Test and Evaluation and its responsibility to oversee independent testing of acquisition programs. Second, it outlines the Program Accountability and Risk Management Office's role in DHS acquisitions.

In addition, the bill describes the acquisition responsibilities of other senior DHS leaders, including the:

o Chief Financial Officer,

o Chief Information Officer, and

o The Under Secretary of Strategy, Policy, and Plans.

The provisions in this bill will ensure that DHS has the appropriate mechanisms in place to succeed and will make their acquisition processes open and transparent to the American taxpayer.

Read the full bill text here.

Source