House advances bill to provide accountability, oversight of DHS acquisition programs

The U.S. House of Representatives advanced the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acquisition Authorities Act of 2017 last week, which aims to create greater accountability for major acquisition programs within the DHS by enhancing oversight and implementing cost-saving budget measures.

The legislation was authored by U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) and is one of nine bills sponsored by the Homeland Security Committee to have recently advanced the House.

Higgins’ bill designates the DHS Under Secretary for Management as the Chief Acquisition Officer and gives the under secretary the authority to delegate each major acquisition program to specific senior officials.

It also outlines new requirements for the DHS Chief Procurement Officer and the DHS Chief Information Officer aimed at increasing both accountability and budget restraint. The bill defines a “major acquisition” as costing more than $300 million over the program’s life cycle.

“In some cases, these programs have spent billions of dollars of American treasure without having to show what they will ultimately cost, when they will be complete, or what benefits they will deliver to frontline operators,” Higgins said. “Our bill puts forth common-sense solutions and strong accountability measures that will save taxpayers time and money.”