DHS fails to justify funding for emergency network, stalling program

The Homeland Security Department lost much of its funding for a communications network for national security and emergency response workers after it failed to detail why it needed the system, according to a report released by the Government Accountability Office on Monday.

DHS' National Communications System is developing the National Security/Emergency Preparedness Next-Generation Network that will allow workers to continue to communicate when traditional telecommunication networks become congested or damaged. But Congress has provided far les than DHS has requested for the system because the department has not justified why it needs the system and the technology, according to an August GAO report, which the agency released this week.

"NCS is working to provide priority voice and data communications [for national security and emergency response] as part of the evolving telecommunications networks, but it has not finalized an acquisition approach based on available technologies, costs, or plans to mitigate technological and other challenges to deliver such capabilities," said William Jenkins, director of homeland security and justice issues at GAO and author of the report.

Investment in the next-generation network would prioritize voice communications and data communications, including e-mail, streaming video, text messaging and Internet access, among other things.

DHS has failed in the past two fiscal years to outline the system's goals and justifications for the technology, GAO reported. During the appropriations process for fiscal 2008, the House and Senate appropriations committees stated DHS had not adequately justified funding for the new network technology and as a result funded 60 percent less than the agency requested for the program.

For the fiscal 2009 budget request for the program, the House raised questions about the lack of a thorough explanation of DHS' investment plans and program goals, and withheld half of the fiscal 2009 funding request until DHS completes an expenditure plan and it is approved by the House and Senate. DHS planned to submit the plan in January 2009, but as of May the plan was still being reviewed by DHS officials.

"Incorporating cost information and strategies to mitigate program and technical challenges are essential to successfully meeting program objectives and minimizing the risk of cost overruns, schedule delays and less-than-expected performance," Jenkins said in the report. "Furthermore, such planning could provide key stakeholders such as Congress with information they need to make funding decisions over time."

GAO recommended Homeland Security direct DHS to develop plans that include an acquisition approach based on available technologies, realistic cost estimates and mitigation plans to address identified risks. The agency also recommended DHS finalize the its strategic plan, which should identify the resources needed to meet its objectives and describe the relationship between planned initiatives such as the next-generation communications network and long-term strategic goals, and develop measures for program performance.

DHS agreed with the recommendations.