DefPro: GAO Looks at U.S. DHS and TSA Acquisition and Development of New Technologies

Mike · Sep 25, 2011

Defense Professionals: GAO Looks at U.S. DHS and TSA Acquisition and Development of New Technologies

GAO’s past work has found that TSA has faced challenges in developing technology program requirements on a systemic and individual basis. Program performance cannot be accurately assessed without valid baseline requirements established at the program start. In June 2010, GAO reported that over half of the 15 DHS programs (including 3 TSA programs) GAO reviewed awarded contracts to initiate acquisition activities without component or department approval of documents essential to planning acquisitions, setting operational requirements, or establishing acquisition program baselines ...

GAO has also reported DHS and TSA challenges in overseeing and testing new technologies. For example, in July 2011, GAO reported that TSA experienced challenges in collecting data on the physical and chemical properties of certain explosives needed by vendors ...

GAO has reported that TSA has not consistently included these[cost-benefit] analyses in its acquisition decision making.
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Mike · Sep 25, 2011

More discussion here ....

Homeland Security Today: Republicans Push TSA Authorization Bill; Democrats Question Bush Officials on TSA Procurement

HS Today said:

Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), chair of the Transportation Security subcommittee, added: "TSA is in need of fundamental reform. Since its establishment following the horrific attacks of 9/11, TSA developed a one-size-fits-all approach to security and has grown into a large bureaucracy, which has decreased its ability to adapt to the ever-evolving terror threat we face. HR 3011 is the first step in this process of reform, the result of which will be TSA performing its security mission more efficiently and effectively. This legislation, which mandates a top-to-bottom review of TSA, will increase security and expedite travel while ensuring the safe flow of people and commerce."
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I'll believe that when I see it.

HS Today said:

In 2009, GAO concluded that TSA moved forward with spending millions on the portals although TSA officials had doubts about them as early as 2004. "TSA deployed explosives trace portals, a technology for detecting traces of explosives on passengers at airport checkpoints, in January 2006 even though TSA officials were aware that tests conducted during 2004 and 2005 on earlier models of the portals suggested the portals did not demonstrate reliable performance in an airport environment.
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Nothing has changed.

HS Today said:

Current officials now have the luxury of focusing on potential transformational changes at various points of opportunity as they refine and extend DHS, Jackson said.
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Can somebody please translate this?

Caradoc · Sep 25, 2011

Mike said: ↑

Can somebody please translate this?
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HS Today said:

Current officials now have the luxury of focusing on potential transformational changes at various points of opportunity as they refine and extend DHS, Jackson said.
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"We now have the opportunity to retrain the American public to tolerate being stolen from and sexually assaulted as long as we continue to allow them to travel to Disneyland."

Doober · Sep 26, 2011

"Challenges"? How about calling it what it is: deliberately rushing through new technology without due diligence.

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DefPro: GAO Looks at U.S. DHS and TSA Acquisition and Development of New Technologies

Mike Founding Member Coach

Attached Files:

Full GAO Report GAO-11-957T DHS and TSA Acquisition and Development of New Technologies.pdf

Mike Founding Member Coach

Caradoc Original Member

Doober Original Member

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DefPro: GAO Looks at U.S. DHS and TSA Acquisition and Development of New Technologies

Mike Founding Member Coach

Attached Files:

Full GAO Report GAO-11-957T DHS and TSA Acquisition and Development of New Technologies.pdf

Mike Founding Member Coach

Caradoc Original Member

Doober Original Member

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