SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘DHS Science and 
Technology Reform and Improvement Act of 2015’’. 
SEC. 2. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN SUPPORT OF HOME-
LAND SECURITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title III of the Homeland Secu-
rity Act of 2002 is amended— 
(1) in section 301 (6 U.S.C. 181)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘There’’ and inserting the 
following new subsection: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
subsection: 
‘‘(b) MISSION.—The Directorate of Science and 
Technology shall be the primary research, development, 
testing, and evaluation arm of the Department, respon-
sible for coordinating the research, development, testing, 
and evaluation of the Department to strengthen the secu-
rity and resiliency of the United States. The Directorate 
shall— 
‘‘(1) develop and deliver knowledge, analyses, 
and innovative solutions that are responsive to 
homeland security capability gaps and threats to the 
homeland identified by components and offices of the 
Department, the first responder community, and the 
Homeland Security Enterprise (as such term is de-
fined in section 322) and that can be integrated into 
operations of the Department; 
‘‘(2) seek innovative, system-based solutions to 
complex homeland security problems and threats; 
and 
‘‘(3) build partnerships and leverage technology 
solutions developed by other Federal agencies and 
laboratories, State, local, and tribal governments, 
universities, and the private sector.’’; 
(2) in section 302 (6 U.S.C. 182)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘The Secretary, acting through the 
Under Secretary for Science and Technology, 
shall’’ and inserting the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through 
the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, shall 
carry out the mission described in subsection (b) of section 
301 and shall’’; 
(B) in subsection (a), as so amended by 
subparagraph (A) of this paragraph— 
(i) in paragraph (1), by inserting 
‘‘and serving as the senior scientific advi-
sor to the Secretary’’ before the semicolon 
at the end;
(ii) in paragraph (2)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘national’’; 
(II) by striking ‘‘biological,,’’ and 
inserting ‘‘biological,’’; and 
(III) by inserting ‘‘that may 
serve as a basis of a national strat-
egy’’ after ‘‘terrorist threats’’; 
(iii) in paragraph (3)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘the Under Sec-
retary for Intelligence and Analysis 
and the Assistant Secretary for Infra-
structure Protection’’ and inserting 
‘‘components and offices of the De-
partment’’; and 
(II) by inserting ‘‘terrorist’’ be-
fore ‘‘threats’’; 
(iv) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘ex-
cept that such responsibility does not ex-
tend to human health-related research and 
development activities’’ and inserting the 
following: ‘‘including coordinating with rel-
evant components and offices of the De-
partment appropriate to— 
‘‘(A) identify and prioritize technical capa-
bility requirements and create solutions that in-
clude researchers, the private sector, and oper-
ational end users; and 
‘‘(B) develop capabilities to address issues 
on research, development, testing, evaluation, 
technology, and standards for the first re-
sponder community, 
except that such responsibility does not extend to 
the human health-related research and development 
activities;’’; 
(v) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking 
‘‘biological,,’’ and inserting ‘‘biological,’’; 
(vi) by amending paragraph (12) to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(12) coordinating and integrating all research, 
development, demonstration, testing, and evaluation 
activities of the Department, including through a 
centralized Federal clearinghouse established pursu-
ant to paragraph (1) of section 313(b) for informa-
tion relating to technologies that would further the 
mission of the Department, and providing advice, as 
necessary, regarding major acquisition programs;’’; 
(vii) in paragraph (13), by striking 
‘‘and’’ at the end;
(viii) in paragraph (14), by striking 
the period at the end and inserting a semi-
colon; and 
(ix) by adding at the end the following 
new paragraphs: 
‘‘(15) establishing a process that— 
‘‘(A) includes consideration by Directorate 
leadership, senior component leadership, first 
responders, and outside expertise; 
‘‘(B) is strategic, transparent, and repeat-
able with a goal of continuous improvement; 
‘‘(C) through which research and develop-
ment projects undertaken by the Directorate 
are assessed on a regular basis; and 
‘‘(D) includes consideration of metrics to 
ensure research and development projects meet 
Directorate and Department goals and inform 
departmental budget and program planning; 
‘‘(16) developing and overseeing the administra-
tion of guidelines for periodic external review of de-
partmental research and development programs or 
activities, including through— 
‘‘(A) consultation with experts, including 
scientists and practitioners, regarding the re-
search and development activities conducted by 
the Directorate of Science and Technology; and 
‘‘(B) biennial independent, external re-
view— 
‘‘(i) initially at the division level; or 
‘‘(ii) when divisions conduct multiple 
programs focused on significantly different 
subjects, at the program level; 
‘‘(17) partnering with components and offices 
of the Department to develop and deliver knowledge, 
analyses, and innovative solutions that are respon-
sive to identified homeland security capability gaps 
and threats to the homeland and raise the science- 
based, analytic capability and capacity of appro-
priate individuals throughout the Department by 
providing guidance on how to better identify home-
land security capability gaps and threats to the 
homeland that may be addressed through a techno-
logical solution and by partnering with such compo-
nents and offices to— 
‘‘(A) support technological assessments of 
major acquisition programs throughout the ac-
quisition lifecycle; 
‘‘(B) help define appropriate technological 
requirements and perform feasibility analysis;
‘‘(C) assist in evaluating new and emerging 
technologies against homeland security capa-
bility gaps and terrorist threats; 
‘‘(D) support evaluation of alternatives; 
‘‘(E) improve the use of technology De-
partment-wide; and 
‘‘(F) provide technical assistance in the de-
velopment of acquisition lifecycle cost for tech-
nologies; 
‘‘(18) acting as a coordinating office for tech-
nology development for the Department by helping 
components and offices define technological require-
ments, and building partnerships with appropriate 
entities (such as within the Department and with 
other Federal agencies and laboratories, State, local, 
and tribal governments, universities, and the private 
sector) to help each such component and office at-
tain the technology solutions it needs; and 
‘‘(19) coordinating with organizations that pro-
vide venture capital to businesses, particularly small 
businesses, as appropriate, to assist in the commer-
cialization of innovative homeland security tech-
nologies that are expected to be ready for commer-
cialization in the near term and within 36 months.’’; 
and
(C) by adding at the end the following new 
subsections: 
‘‘(b) REVIEW OF RESPONSIBILITIES.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of the enactment of this sub-
section, the Under Secretary for Science and Technology 
shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Home-
land Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a 
report on the implementation of paragraphs (2) (including 
how the policy and strategic plan under such paragraph 
may serve as a basis for a national strategy referred to 
in such paragraph), (11), (12), (13), (16), and (17) of 
subsection (a).’’; 
(3) in section 303(1) (6 U.S.C. 183(1)), by 
striking subparagraph (F); 
(4) in section 305 (6 U.S.C. 185)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The’’ and inserting the 
following new subsection: 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
subsection: 
‘‘(b) CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.—The Secretary shall 
review and revise, as appropriate, the policies of the De-
partment relating to personnel conflicts of interest to en-
sure that such policies specifically address employees of 
federally funded research and development centers estab-
lished pursuant to subsection (a) who are in a position 
to make or materially influence research findings or agen-
cy decision making.’’; 
(5) in section 306 (6 U.S.C. 186)— 
(A) in subsection (c), by adding at the end 
the following new sentence: ‘‘If such regulations 
are issued, the Under Secretary shall report to 
the Committee on Homeland Security and the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Homeland Security and Govern-
mental Affairs of the Senate prior to such 
issuance.’’; and 
(B) by amending subsection (d) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(d) PERSONNEL.—In hiring personnel for the Direc-
torate of Science and Technology, the Secretary shall have 
the hiring and management authorities described in sec-
tion 1101 of the Strom Thurmond National Defense Au-
thorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 (5 U.S.C. 3104 note; 
Public Law 105–261). The term of appointments for em-
ployees under subsection (c)(1) of such section may not
exceed 5 years before the granting of any extension under 
subsection (c)(2) of such section.’’; 
(6) in section 308 (6 U.S.C. 188)— 
(A) in subsection (b)(2)— 
(i) in subparagraph (B)— 
(I) in clause (iv), by striking 
‘‘and nuclear countermeasures or de-
tection’’ and inserting ‘‘nuclear, and 
explosives countermeasures or detec-
tion (which may include research into 
remote sensing and remote imaging)’’; 
and 
(II) by adding after clause (xiv) 
the following new clause: 
‘‘(xv) Cybersecurity.’’; and 
(ii) by amending subparagraph (D) to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(D) ANNUAL
REPORT
TO
CONGRESS.— 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the en-
actment of this subparagraph and annually 
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Con-
gress a report on the implementation of this 
section. Each such report shall—
‘‘(i) indicate which center or centers 
have been designated pursuant to this sec-
tion; 
‘‘(ii) describe how such designation or 
designations enhance homeland security; 
‘‘(iii) provide information on any deci-
sions to revoke or modify such designation 
or designations; 
‘‘(iv) describe research that has been 
tasked and completed by each center that 
has been designated during the preceding 
year; 
‘‘(v) describe funding provided by the 
Secretary for each center under clause (iv) 
for that year; and 
‘‘(vi) describe plans for utilization of 
each center or centers in the forthcoming 
year.’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
subsection: 
‘‘(d) TEST, EVALUATION, AND STANDARDS DIVI-
SION.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in 
the Directorate of Science and Technology a Test, 
Evaluation, and Standards Division.
‘‘(2) DIRECTOR.—The Test, Evaluation, and 
Standards Division shall be headed by a Director of 
Test, Evaluation, and Standards, who shall be ap-
pointed by the Secretary and report to the Under 
Secretary for Science and Technology. 
‘‘(3) RESPONSIBILITIES, 
AUTHORITIES, 
AND 
FUNCTIONS.—The Director of Test, Evaluation, and 
Standards— 
‘‘(A) through the Under Secretary for 
Science and Technology, serve as an adviser to 
the Secretary and the Under Secretary of Man-
agement on all test and evaluation or standards 
activities in the Department; and 
‘‘(B) shall— 
‘‘(i) establish and update as necessary 
test and evaluation policies for the Depart-
ment, including policies to ensure that 
operational testing is done at facilities that 
already have relevant and appropriate safe-
ty and material certifications to the extent 
such facilities are available; 
‘‘(ii) oversee and ensure that adequate 
test and evaluation activities are planned 
and conducted by or on behalf of compo-
nents and offices of the Department with
respect to major acquisition programs of 
the Department, as designated by the Sec-
retary, based on risk, acquisition level, nov-
elty, complexity, and size of any such ac-
quisition program, or as otherwise estab-
lished in statute; 
‘‘(iii) review major acquisition pro-
gram test reports and test data to assess 
the adequacy of test and evaluation activi-
ties conducted by or on behalf of compo-
nents and offices of the Department, in-
cluding test and evaluation activities 
planned or conducted pursuant to clause 
(ii); and 
‘‘(iv) review available test and evalua-
tion infrastructure to determine whether 
the Department has adequate resources to 
carry out its testing and evaluation respon-
sibilities, as established under this title. 
‘‘(4) LIMITATION.—The Test, Evaluation, and 
Standards Division is not required to carry out oper-
ational testing of major acquisition programs. 
‘‘(5) EVALUATION
OF
DEPARTMENT
OF
DE-
FENSE
TECHNOLOGIES.—The Director of Test, 
Evaluation, and Standards may evaluate tech-
nologies currently in use or being developed by the 
Department of Defense to assess whether such tech-
nologies can be leveraged to address homeland secu-
rity capability gaps.’’; 
(7) in section 309(a) (6 U.S.C. 189(a)), by add-
ing at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) TREATMENT OF CERTAIN FUNDS.—Not-
withstanding any other provision of law, any funds 
provided to a Department of Energy national labora-
tory by the Department may not be treated as an 
assisted acquisition.’’; 
(8) in section 310 (6 U.S.C. 190), by adding at 
the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(e) SUCCESSOR FACILITY.—Any successor facility 
to the Plum Island Animal Disease Center, including the 
National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) under 
construction as of the date of the enactment of this sub-
section, which is intended to the replace the Plum Island 
Animal Disease Center shall be subject to the require-
ments of this section in the same manner and to the same 
extent as the Plum Island Animal Disease Center under 
this section.’’; 
(9) in section 311 (6 U.S.C. 191)— 
(A) in subsection (b)— 
(i) in paragraph (1)—
(I) by striking ‘‘20 members’’ 
and inserting ‘‘not fewer than 15 and 
not more than 30’’; and 
(II) by inserting ‘‘academia, na-
tional labs, private industry, and’’ 
after ‘‘representatives of’’; 
(ii) by redesignating paragraph (2) as 
paragraph (3); and 
(iii) by inserting after paragraph (1) 
the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) SUBCOMMITTEES.—The Advisory Com-
mittee may establish subcommittees that focus on 
research and development challenges, as appro-
priate.’’; 
(B) in subsection (c)— 
(i) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘on 
a rotating basis’’ before the period at the 
end; 
(ii) by striking paragraph (2) and re-
designating paragraph (3) as paragraph 
(2); and 
(iii) in paragraph (2), as so redesig-
nated, by striking ‘‘be appointed’’ and in-
serting ‘‘serve’’;
(C) in subsection (e), in the second sen-
tence, by striking ‘‘the call of’’; 
(D) in subsection (h)— 
(i) in paragraph (1)— 
(I) in the first sentence— 
(aa) by striking ‘‘render’’ 
and inserting ‘‘submit’’; and 
(bb) by striking ‘‘Congress’’ 
and inserting ‘‘the appropriate 
congressional committees’’; and 
(II) in the second sentence, by 
inserting ‘‘, and incorporate the find-
ings and recommendations of the Ad-
visory Committee subcommittees,’’ be-
fore ‘‘during’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (2)— 
(I) striking ‘‘render’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘submit’’; and 
(II) by striking ‘‘Congress’’ and 
inserting ‘‘the Committee on Home-
land Security and the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs of the Senate’’;
(E) in subsection (i), by inserting ‘‘, except 
that the Advisory Committee shall file a charter 
with Congress every 2 years in accordance with 
subsection (b)(2) of such section (14)’’; 
(F) in subsection (j), by striking ‘‘2008’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2020’’; 
(10) in section 313 (6 U.S.C. 193)— 
(A) by redesignating subsection (c) as sub-
section (d); and 
(B) by inserting after subsection (b) the 
following new subsection: 
‘‘(c) APPLICATION
OF PROGRAM.—The Secretary, 
acting through the Under Secretary for Science and Tech-
nology, shall use the program established under subsection 
(a) to— 
‘‘(1) enhance the cooperation between compo-
nents and offices of the Department on projects that 
have similar goals, timelines, or outcomes; 
‘‘(2) ensure the coordination of technologies to 
eliminate unnecessary duplication of research and 
development; 
‘‘(3) ensure technologies are accessible for com-
ponent and office use on a Department website; and 
‘‘(4) carry out any additional purpose the Sec-
retary determines necessary.’’; and
(11) by adding after section 317 (6 U.S.C. 
195c) the following new sections: 
‘‘SEC. 318. IDENTIFICATION AND PRIORITIZATION OF RE-
SEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this section, the Under Sec-
retary for Science and Technology shall establish a process 
to define, identify, prioritize, fund, and task the basic and 
applied homeland security research and development ac-
tivities of the Directorate of Science and Technology to 
meet the needs of the components and offices of the De-
partment, the first responder community, and the Home-
land Security Enterprise (as such term is defined in sec-
tion 322). 
‘‘(b) PROCESS.—The process established under sub-
section (a) shall— 
‘‘(1) be responsive to near-, mid-, and long-term 
needs, including unanticipated needs to address 
emerging terrorist threats; 
‘‘(2) utilize gap analysis and risk assessment 
tools where available and applicable; 
‘‘(3) include protocols to assess— 
‘‘(A) off-the-shelf technology to determine 
if an identified homeland security capability gap 
or threat to the homeland can be addressed
through the acquisition process instead of com-
mencing research and development of tech-
nology to address such capability gap or threat; 
and 
‘‘(B) communication and collaboration for 
research and development activities pursued by 
other executive agencies, to determine if tech-
nology can be leveraged to identify and address 
homeland security capability gaps or threats to 
the homeland and avoid unnecessary duplication 
of efforts; 
‘‘(4) provide for documented and validated re-
search and development requirements; 
‘‘(5) strengthen first responder participation to 
identify and prioritize homeland security techno-
logical gaps, including by— 
‘‘(A) soliciting feedback from appropriate 
national associations and advisory groups rep-
resenting the first responder community and 
first responders within the components and of-
fices of the Department; and 
‘‘(B) establishing and promoting a publicly 
accessible portal to allow the first responder 
community to help the Directorate of Science
and Technology develop homeland security re-
search and development goals; 
‘‘(6) institute a mechanism to publicize the De-
partment’s homeland security technology priorities 
for the purpose of informing Federal, State, and 
local governments, first responders, and the private 
sector; 
‘‘(7) establish considerations to be used by the 
Directorate in selecting appropriate research enti-
ties, including the national laboratories, federally 
funded research and development centers, university- 
based centers, and the private sector, to carry out 
research and development requirements; 
‘‘(8) incorporate feedback derived as a result of 
the mechanism established in section 323, ensuring 
the Directorate is utilizing regular communication 
with components and offices of the Department; and 
‘‘(9) include any other criteria or measures the 
Under Secretary for Science and Technology con-
siders 
necessary 
for 
the 
identification 
and 
prioritization of research requirements. 
‘‘SEC. 319. DEVELOPMENT OF DIRECTORATE STRATEGY 
AND RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN. 
‘‘(a) STRATEGY.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of the enactment of this section, the Under 
Secretary for Science and Technology shall develop 
and submit to the Committee on Homeland Security 
and the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs of the Senate a strategy to guide the activi-
ties of the Directorate of Science and Technology. 
Such strategy shall be updated at least once every 
5 years and shall identify priorities and objectives 
for the development of science and technology solu-
tions and capabilities addressing homeland security 
operational needs. Such strategy shall include the 
coordination of such priorities and activities within 
the Department. Such strategy shall take into ac-
count the priorities and needs of stakeholders in the 
Homeland Security Enterprise (as such term is de-
fined in section 322). In developing such strategy, 
efforts shall be made to support collaboration and 
avoid unnecessary duplication across the Federal 
Government. Such strategy shall be risk-based and 
aligned with other strategic guidance provided by— 
‘‘(A) the National Strategy for Homeland 
Security;
‘‘(B) the Quadrennial Homeland Security 
Review; and 
‘‘(C) any other relevant strategic planning 
documents, as determined by the Under Sec-
retary. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—The strategy required under 
paragraph (1) shall be prepared in accordance with 
applicable Federal requirements and guidelines, and 
shall include the following: 
‘‘(A) An identification of the long-term 
strategic goals, objectives, and metrics of the 
Directorate, including those to address terrorist 
threats. 
‘‘(B) A technology transition strategy for 
the programs of the Directorate. 
‘‘(C) Short- and long-term strategic goals, 
and objectives for increasing the number of des-
ignations and certificates issued under subtitle 
G of title VIII, including cybersecurity tech-
nologies that could significantly reduce, or miti-
gate the effects of, cybersecurity risks (as such 
term is defined in subsection (a)(1) of the sec-
ond section 226, relating to the national cyber-
security and communications integration cen-
ter), without compromising the quality of the
evaluation of applications for such designations 
and certificates. 
‘‘(b) FIVE-YEAR RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT 
PLAN.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary for 
Science and Technology shall develop, and update at 
least once every 5 years, a 5-year research and de-
velopment plan for the activities of the Directorate 
of Science and Technology. The Under Secretary 
shall develop the first such plan by the date that is 
not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this section. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—Each 5-year research and de-
velopment plan developed and revised under sub-
section (a) shall— 
‘‘(A) define the Directorate of Science and 
Technology’s research, development, testing, 
and evaluation activities, priorities, performance 
metrics, and key milestones and deliverables 
for, as the case may be, the 5-fiscal-year period 
from 2016 through 2020, and for each 5-fiscal- 
year period thereafter; 
‘‘(B) describe, for the activities of the 
strategy developed under subsection (a), the 
planned annual funding levels for the period
covered by each such 5-year research and devel-
opment plan; 
‘‘(C) indicate joint investments with other 
Federal partners where applicable, and en-
hanced coordination, as appropriate, with orga-
nizations as specified in paragraph (19) of sec-
tion 302; 
‘‘(D) analyze how the research programs of 
the Directorate support achievement of the 
strategic goals and objectives identified in the 
strategy required under subsection (a); 
‘‘(E) describe how the activities and pro-
grams of the Directorate meet the requirements 
or homeland security capability gaps or threats 
to the homeland identified by customers within 
and outside of the Department, including the 
first responder community; and 
‘‘(F) describe the policies of the Direc-
torate regarding the management, organization, 
and personnel of the Directorate. 
‘‘(3) SCOPE.—The Under Secretary for Science 
and Technology shall ensure that each 5-year re-
search and development plan developed and revised 
under subsection (a)—
‘‘(A) reflects input from a wide range of 
stakeholders; and 
‘‘(B) takes into account how research and 
development by other Federal, State, private 
sector, and nonprofit institutions contributes to 
the achievement of the priorities identified in 
each plan, and avoids unnecessary duplication 
with such efforts. 
‘‘(4) REPORTS.—The Under Secretary for 
Science and Technology shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Homeland Security and the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate an 
annual report for 7 years beginning not later than 
1 year after the date of the development of the ini-
tial 5-year research and development plan under 
paragraph (1) on the status and results to date of 
the implementation of such plan and the updates to 
such plan, including— 
‘‘(A) a summary of the research and devel-
opment activities for the previous fiscal year in 
each mission area, including such activities to 
address homeland security risks, including 
threats, vulnerabilities, and consequences, and a
summary of the coordination activities under-
taken by the Directorate of Science and Tech-
nology for components and offices of the De-
partment, together with the results of the proc-
ess specified in paragraph (15) of section 302; 
‘‘(B) clear links between the Directorate’s 
budget and each mission area or program, in-
cluding those mission areas or programs to ad-
dress 
homeland 
security 
risks, 
including 
threats, vulnerabilities, and consequences, speci-
fying which mission areas or programs fall 
under which budget lines, and clear links be-
tween Directorate coordination work and prior-
ities and annual expenditures for such work and 
priorities, including joint investments with other 
Federal partners, where applicable; 
‘‘(C) an assessment of progress of the re-
search and development activities based on the 
performance metrics and milestones set forth in 
such plan; and 
‘‘(D) any changes to such plan. 
‘‘SEC. 320. MONITORING OF PROGRESS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary for Science 
and Technology shall establish and utilize a system to 
track the progress of the research, development, testing,
and evaluation activities undertaken by the Directorate of 
Science and Technology, and shall provide to the Com-
mittee on Homeland Security and the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Homeland Security 
and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and customers of 
such activities, at a minimum on a biannual basis, regular 
updates on such progress. 
‘‘(b) REQUIREMENTS.—In order to provide the 
progress updates required under subsection (a), the Under 
Secretary for Science and Technology shall develop a sys-
tem that— 
‘‘(1) monitors progress toward project mile-
stones identified by the Under Secretary; 
‘‘(2) maps progress toward deliverables identi-
fied in each 5-year research and development plan 
required under section 319(b); 
‘‘(3) generates up-to-date reports to customers 
that transparently disclose the status and progress 
of research, development, testing, and evaluation ef-
forts of the Directorate of Science and Technology; 
and 
‘‘(4) allows the Under Secretary to report the 
number of products and services developed by the 
Directorate that have been transitioned into acquisi-
tion programs and resulted in successfully fielded 
technologies. 
‘‘(c) EVALUATION METHODS.— 
‘‘(1) EXTERNAL
INPUT, CONSULTATION, AND 
REVIEW.—The Under Secretary for Science and 
Technology shall implement procedures to engage 
outside experts to assist in the evaluation of the 
progress of research, development, testing, and eval-
uation activities of the Directorate of Science and 
Technology, including through— 
‘‘(A) consultation with experts, including 
scientists and practitioners, to gather inde-
pendent expert peer opinion and advice on a 
project or on specific issues or analyses con-
ducted by the Directorate; and 
‘‘(B) periodic, independent, external review 
to assess the quality and relevance of the Direc-
torate’s programs and projects. 
‘‘(2) COMPONENT FEEDBACK.—The Under Sec-
retary for Science and Technology shall establish a 
formal process to collect feedback from customers of 
the Directorate of Science and Technology on the 
performance of the Directorate that includes— 
‘‘(A) appropriate methodologies through 
which the Directorate can assess the quality
and usefulness of technology and services deliv-
ered by the Directorate; 
‘‘(B) development of metrics for measuring 
the usefulness of any technology or service pro-
vided by the Directorate; and 
‘‘(C) standards for high-quality customer 
service. 
‘‘SEC. 321. HOMELAND SECURITY SCIENCE AND TECH-
NOLOGY FELLOWS PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) 
ESTABLISHMENT.—The 
Secretary, 
acting 
through the Under Secretary for Science and Technology 
and the Under Secretary for Management, shall establish 
a fellows program, to be known as the Homeland Security 
Science and Technology Fellows Program (in this section 
referred to as the ‘Program’), under which the Under Sec-
retary for Science and Technology, in coordination with 
the Office of University Programs of the Department, 
shall facilitate the placement of fellows in relevant sci-
entific or technological fields for up to 2 years in compo-
nents and offices of the Department with a need for sci-
entific and technological expertise. 
‘‘(b) UTILIZATION OF FELLOWS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Under the Program, the 
Department may employ fellows—
‘‘(A) for the use of the Directorate of 
Science and Technology; or 
‘‘(B) for the use of a component or office 
of the Department outside the Directorate, 
under a memorandum of agreement with the 
head of such a component or office under which 
such component or office will reimburse the Di-
rectorate for the costs of such employment. 
‘‘(2) RESPONSIBILITIES.—Under an agreement 
referred to in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1)— 
‘‘(A) the Under Secretary for Science and 
Technology and the Under Secretary for Man-
agement shall— 
‘‘(i) solicit and accept applications 
from individuals who are currently enrolled 
in or who are graduates of postgraduate 
programs in scientific and engineering 
fields related to the promotion of securing 
the homeland or critical infrastructure sec-
tors; 
‘‘(ii) screen applicants and interview 
them as appropriate to ensure that such 
applicants possess the appropriate level of 
scientific and engineering expertise and 
qualifications;
‘‘(iii) provide a list of qualified appli-
cants to the heads of components and of-
fices of the Department seeking to utilize 
qualified fellows; 
‘‘(iv) subject to the availability of ap-
propriations, pay financial compensation to 
such fellows; 
‘‘(v) coordinate with the Chief Secu-
rity Officer to facilitate and expedite provi-
sion of security and suitability clearances 
to such fellows, as appropriate; and 
‘‘(vi) otherwise administer all aspects 
of the employment of such fellows with the 
Department; and 
‘‘(B) the head of the component or office 
of the Department utilizing a fellow shall— 
‘‘(i) select such fellow from the list of 
qualified applicants provided by the Under 
Secretary; 
‘‘(ii) reimburse the Under Secretary 
for the costs of employing such fellow, in-
cluding administrative costs; and 
‘‘(iii) be responsible for the day-to-day 
management of such fellow.
‘‘(c) APPLICATIONS FROM NONPROFIT ORGANIZA-
TIONS.—The Under Secretary for Science and Technology 
may accept an application under subsection (b)(2)(A) that 
is submitted by a nonprofit organization on behalf of indi-
viduals whom such nonprofit organization has determined 
may be qualified applicants under the Program. 
‘‘SEC. 322. CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH AND DEVELOP-
MENT. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary for Science 
and Technology shall support research, development, test-
ing, evaluation, and transition of cybersecurity technology, 
including fundamental research to improve the sharing of 
information, analytics, and methodologies related to cyber-
security risks and incidents, consistent with current law. 
‘‘(b) ACTIVITIES.—The research and development 
supported under subsection (a) shall serve the components 
of the Department and shall— 
‘‘(1) advance the development and accelerate 
the deployment of more secure information systems; 
‘‘(2) improve and create technologies for detect-
ing attacks or intrusions, including real-time contin-
uous diagnostics and real-time analytic technologies; 
‘‘(3) improve and create mitigation and recov-
ery methodologies, including techniques and policies
for real-time containment of attacks, and develop-
ment of resilient networks and information systems; 
‘‘(4) support, in coordination with the private 
sector, the review of source code that underpins crit-
ical infrastructure information systems; 
‘‘(5) develop and support infrastructure and 
tools to support cybersecurity research and develop-
ment efforts, including modeling, testbeds, and data 
sets for assessment of new cybersecurity tech-
nologies; 
‘‘(6) assist the development and support of 
technologies to reduce vulnerabilities in industrial 
control systems; and 
‘‘(7) develop and support cyber forensics and 
attack attribution. 
‘‘(c) COORDINATION.—In carrying out this section, 
the Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall co-
ordinate activities with— 
‘‘(1) the Under Secretary appointed pursuant to 
section 103(a)(1)(H); 
‘‘(2) the heads of other relevant Federal depart-
ments and agencies, including the National Science 
Foundation, 
the 
Defense 
Advanced 
Research 
Projects Agency, the Information Assurance Direc-
torate of the National Security Agency, the National
Institute of Standards and Technology, the Depart-
ment of Commerce, the Networking and Information 
Technology Research and Development Program Of-
fice, Sector Specific Agencies for critical infrastruc-
ture, and other appropriate working groups estab-
lished by the President to identify unmet needs and 
cooperatively support activities, as appropriate; and 
‘‘(3) industry and academia. 
‘‘(d) TRANSITION TO PRACTICE.—The Under Sec-
retary for Science and Technology shall support projects 
through the full life cycle of such projects, including re-
search, development, testing, evaluation, pilots, and tran-
sitions. The Under Secretary shall identify mature tech-
nologies that address existing or imminent cybersecurity 
gaps in public or private information systems and net-
works of information systems, identify and support nec-
essary improvements identified during pilot programs and 
testing and evaluation activities, and introduce new cyber-
security technologies throughout the Homeland Security 
Enterprise through partnerships and commercialization. 
The Under Secretary shall target federally funded cyberse-
curity research that demonstrates a high probability of 
successful transition to the commercial market within 2 
years and that is expected to have notable impact on the
cybersecurity of the information systems or networks of 
information systems of the United States. 
‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) CYBERSECURITY RISK.—The term ‘cyber-
security risk’ has the meaning given such term in 
the second section 226, relating to the national cy-
bersecurity and communications integration center. 
‘‘(2) HOMELAND SECURITY ENTERPRISE.—The 
term ‘Homeland Security Enterprise’ means relevant 
governmental and nongovernmental entities involved 
in homeland security, including Federal, State, local, 
and tribal government officials, private sector rep-
resentatives, academics, and other policy experts. 
‘‘(3) INCIDENT.—The term ‘incident’ has the 
meaning given such term in the second section 226, 
relating to the national cybersecurity and commu-
nications integration center. 
‘‘(4) INFORMATION SYSTEM.—The term ‘infor-
mation system’ has the meaning given that term in 
section 3502(8) of title 44, United States Code. 
‘‘SEC. 323. INTEGRATED PRODUCT TEAMS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish in-
tegrated product teams to serve as a central mechanism 
for the Department to identify, coordinate, and align re-
search and development efforts with departmental mis-
sions. Each team shall be managed by the Under Sec-
retary for Science and Technology and the relevant senior 
leadership of operational components, and shall be respon-
sible for the following: 
‘‘(1) Identifying and prioritizing homeland secu-
rity capability gaps or threats to the homeland with-
in a specific mission area and technological solutions 
to address such gaps. 
‘‘(2) Identifying ongoing departmental research 
and development activities and component acquisi-
tions of technologies that are outside of depart-
mental research and development activities to ad-
dress a specific mission area. 
‘‘(3) Assessing the appropriateness of a tech-
nology to address a specific mission area. 
‘‘(4) Identifying unnecessary redundancy in de-
partmental research and development activities with-
in a specific mission area. 
‘‘(5) Informing the Secretary and the annual 
budget process regarding whether certain techno-
logical solutions are able to address homeland secu-
rity capability gaps or threats to the homeland with-
in a specific mission area. 
‘‘(b) CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT.—Not later than 2 
years after the date of enactment of this section, the Sec-
retary shall provide to the Committee on Homeland Secu-
rity and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Sen-
ate information on the impact and effectiveness of the 
mechanism described in subsection (a) on research and de-
velopment efforts, component relationships, and how the 
process has informed the research and development budget 
and enhanced decision making, including acquisition deci-
sion making, at the Department. The Secretary shall seek 
feedback from the Under Secretary for Science and Tech-
nology, Under Secretary for Management, and the senior 
leadership of operational components regarding the impact 
and effectiveness of such mechanism and include such 
feedback in the information provided under this sub-
section. 
‘‘SEC. 324. HOMELAND SECURITY-STEM SUMMER INTERN-
SHIP PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary for Science 
and Technology shall establish a Homeland Security- 
STEM internship program (in this section referred to as 
the ‘program’) to carry out the objectives of this subtitle. 
‘‘(b) PROGRAM.—The program shall provide students 
with exposure to Department mission-relevant research 
areas, including threats to the homeland, to encourage
such students to pursue STEM careers in homeland secu-
rity related fields. Internships offered under the program 
shall be for up to 10 weeks during the summer. 
‘‘(c) ELIGIBILITY.—The Under Secretary for Science 
and Technology shall develop criteria for participation in 
the program, including the following: 
‘‘(1) At the time of application, an intern 
shall— 
‘‘(A) have successfully completed not less 
than 1 academic year of study at an institution 
of higher education in a STEM field; 
‘‘(B) be enrolled in a course of study in a 
STEM field at an institution of higher edu-
cation; and 
‘‘(C) plan to continue such course of study 
or pursue an additional course of study in a 
STEM field at an institution of higher edu-
cation in the academic year following the in-
ternship. 
‘‘(2) An intern shall be pursuing career goals 
aligned with the Department’s mission, goals, and 
objectives. 
‘‘(3) Any other criteria the Under Secretary de-
termines appropriate.
‘‘(d) COOPERATION.—The program shall be adminis-
tered in cooperation with the university-based centers for 
homeland security under section 308. Interns in the pro-
gram shall be provided hands-on research experience and 
enrichment activities focused on Department research 
areas. 
‘‘(e) ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS; OPERATION.—The 
Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall deter-
mine the academic requirements, other selection criteria, 
and standards for successful completion of each internship 
period in the program. The Under Secretary shall be re-
sponsible for the design, implementation, and operation of 
the program. 
‘‘(f) RESEARCH MENTORS.—The Under Secretary 
for Science and Technology shall ensure that each intern 
in the program is assigned a research mentor to act as 
counselor and advisor and provide career-focused advice. 
‘‘(g) OUTREACH TO CERTAIN UNDER-REPRESENTED 
STUDENTS.—The Under Secretary for Science and Tech-
nology shall conduct outreach to students who are mem-
bers of groups under-represented in STEM careers to en-
courage their participation in the program. 
‘‘(h) INSTITUTION
OF HIGHER EDUCATION DE-
FINED.—In this section, the term ‘institution of higher 
education’ has the meaning given the term in section 102
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002), 
except that the term does not include institutions de-
scribed in subparagraph (C) of such section 102(a)(1).’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 30 days 
after the date of the enactment of this section. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents 
in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
317 the following new items: 
‘‘Sec. 318. Identification and prioritization of research and development. 
‘‘Sec. 319. Development of Directorate strategy and research and development 
plan. 
‘‘Sec. 320. Monitoring of progress. 
‘‘Sec. 321. Homeland Security Science and Technology Fellows Program. 
‘‘Sec. 322. Cybersecurity research and development. 
‘‘Sec. 323. Integrated product teams. 
‘‘Sec. 324. Homeland Security-STEM summer internship program.’’. 
(d) RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.— 
Section 831 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 
U.S.C. 391) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘2015’’ and inserting ‘‘2020’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking the last 
sentence; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph:
‘‘(3) PRIOR APPROVAL.—In any case in which 
a component or office of the Department seeks to 
utilize the authority under this section, such office 
or component shall first receive prior approval from 
the Secretary by providing to the Secretary a pro-
posal that includes the rationale for the use of such 
authority, the funds to be spent on the use of such 
authority, and the expected outcome for each project 
that is the subject of the use of such authority. In 
such a case, the authority for evaluating the pro-
posal may not be delegated by the Secretary to any-
one other than the Under Secretary for Manage-
ment.’’; 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), in the matter pre-
ceding subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘2015’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2020’’; and 
(B) by amending paragraph (2) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(2) REPORT.—The Secretary shall annually 
submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the 
Senate a report detailing the projects for which the
authority granted by subsection (a) was used, the 
rationale for such use, the funds spent using such 
authority, the extent of cost-sharing for such 
projects among Federal and non-Federal sources, 
the extent to which use of such authority has ad-
dressed a homeland security capability gap or threat 
to the homeland identified by the Department, the 
total amount of payments, if any, that were received 
by the Federal Government as a result of the use of 
such authority during the period covered by each 
such report, the outcome of each project for which 
such authority was used, and the results of any au-
dits of such projects.’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
sections: 
‘‘(e) TRAINING.—The Secretary shall develop a train-
ing program for acquisitions staff in the use of other 
transaction authority to help ensure the appropriate use 
of such authority. 
‘‘(f) OTHER TRANSACTION AUTHORITY DEFINED.— 
In this section, the term ‘other transaction authority’ 
means authority under subsection (a).’’. 
(e) AMENDMENT TO DEFINITION.—Paragraph (2) of 
subsection (a) of the second section 226 of the Homeland 
Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 148; relating to the na-
tional cybersecurity and communications integration cen-
ter) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) INCIDENT.—The term ‘incident’ means an 
occurrence that actually or imminently jeopardizes, 
without lawful authority, the integrity, confiden-
tiality, or availability of information on an informa-
tion system, or actually or imminently jeopardizes, 
without lawful authority, an information system.’’. 
(f) GAO STUDY OF UNIVERSITY-BASED CENTERS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall ini-
tiate a study to assess the university-based centers 
for homeland security program authorized by section 
308(b)(2) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 
U.S.C. 188(b)(2)), and provide recommendations to 
the Committee on Homeland Security and the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the 
Senate for appropriate improvements. 
(2) SUBJECT
MATTERS.—The study required 
under subsection (a) shall include the following: 
(A) A review of the Department of Home-
land Security’s efforts to identify key areas of
study needed to support the homeland security 
mission, and criteria that the Department uti-
lized to determine those key areas for which the 
Department should maintain, establish, or 
eliminate university-based centers. 
(B) A review of the method by which uni-
versity-based centers, federally funded research 
and development centers, and Department of 
Energy national laboratories receive tasking 
from the Department of Homeland Security, in-
cluding a review of how university-based re-
search is identified, prioritized, and funded. 
(C) A review of selection criteria for desig-
nating university-based centers and a weighting 
of such criteria. 
(D) An examination of best practices from 
other agencies’ efforts to organize and use uni-
versity-based research to support their missions. 
(E) A review of the Department of Home-
land Security’s criteria and metrics to measure 
demonstrable progress achieved by university- 
based centers in fulfilling Department taskings, 
and mechanisms for delivering and dissemi-
nating the research results of designated uni-
versity-based centers within the Department 
and to other Federal, State, and local agencies. 
(F) An examination of the means by which 
academic institutions that are not designated or 
associated with the designated university-based 
centers can optimally contribute to the research 
mission of the Directorate of Science and Tech-
nology of the Department of Homeland Secu-
rity. 
(G) An assessment of the interrelationship 
between the different university-based centers 
and the degree to which outreach and collabora-
tion among a diverse array of academic institu-
tions is encouraged by the Department of 
Homeland Security, particularly with histori-
cally Black colleges and universities and minor-
ity-serving institutions. 
(H) A review of any other essential ele-
ments of the programs determined in the con-
duct of the study. 
(g) PRIZE AUTHORITY.—The Under Secretary for 
Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland 
Security shall utilize, as appropriate, prize authority 
granted pursuant to current law.
(h) PROHIBITION ON NEW FUNDING.—No funds are 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section and 
the amendments made by this section. Such section and 
amendments shall be carried out using amounts otherwise 
appropriated or made available for such purposes. 
Passed the House of Representatives December 10, 
2015. 
Attest: 
Clerk.
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 3578 
AN ACT 
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to 
strengthen and make improvements to the Direc-
torate of Science and Technology of the Depart-
ment of Homeland Security, and for other pur-
poses.