How DHS cut costs: Software recycling, contract consolidation

Secretary Janet Napolitano said the Homeland Security Department is saving money by recycling software, consolidating contracts and pursuing other cost-cutting measures.

For example, the Coast Guard saved $1.7 million by consolidating 10 support contracts into three, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials expect to save $130,000 by replacing on-site management training with teleconferences, according to a news release issued June 26.

Furthermore, the Transportation Security Administration is recycling underused software applications to save $433,000 by avoiding new software purchases.

In February, Napolitano directed the leaders of all 22 DHS agencies to identify past and current efforts to improve efficiency and launch new ones.