House panel looks to spur acquisition innovation at DHS
The House Homeland Security Committee passed a bill that would put a manager in place to foster more acquisition innovation at the Department of Homeland Security.
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The House Homeland Security Committee has approved a bill that would put a manager in place to foster more acquisition innovation at the Department of Homeland Security.
The DHS Acquisition Innovation Act, co-sponsored by Reps. Luis Correa (D-Cal.) and Bennie Thompson, (D-Miss.), is designed to help the agency address the difficulties it has had historically with large, complex acquisitions. Shaky acquisition management has helped put the agency repeatedly on the Government Accountability Office's yearly "High-Risk" list, said the committee's report. The bill was reported out of committee on March 20.
Although DHS has shown improvement in the last several years, the committee said the legislation could help the department smooth out its acquisition practices even more.
The bill authorizes DHS under secretary for management to designate an official to manage acquisition innovation activities in the department.
It would also test emerging acquisition best acquisition practices and develop and distribute lessons learned throughout the department.
The measure would also set up metrics to measure the cost and efficiencies, including timeframes for contract execution, in collaboration with the private sector.