Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘DHS Science and Tech-
nology 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 Security 
Act of 2002 is amended— 
(1) in section 301 (6 U.S.C. 181)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘There’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
subsection: 
‘‘(b) MISSION.—The Directorate of Science and Tech-
nology shall be the primary research, development, testing, 
and evaluation arm of the Department, responsible for co-
ordinating the research, development, testing, and evalua-
tion of the Department to strengthen the security and resil-
iency of the United States. The Directorate shall— 
‘‘(1) develop and deliver knowledge, analyses, 
and innovative solutions that are responsive to home-
land security capability gaps identified by compo-
nents and offices of the Department, the first re-
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sponder community, and the Homeland Security En-
terprise (as such term is defined in section 322) and 
that can be integrated into operations of the Depart-
ment; 
‘‘(2) seek innovative, system-based solutions to 
complex homeland security problems; and 
‘‘(3) build partnerships and leverage technology 
solutions developed by other Federal agencies and lab-
oratories, State, local, and tribal governments, uni-
versities, 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: 
‘‘(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 designated by 
subparagraph (A) of this paragraph— 
(i) in paragraph (1), by inserting 
‘‘and serving as the senior scientific advisor 
to the Secretary’’ before the semicolon at the 
end; 
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(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 strategy’’ after 
‘‘terrorist threats’’; 
(iii) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘the 
Under Secretary for Intelligence and Anal-
ysis and the Assistant Secretary for Infra-
structure Protection’’ and inserting ‘‘compo-
nents and offices of the Department’’; 
(iv) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘ex-
cept that such responsibility does not extend 
to human health-related research and devel-
opment activities’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: ‘‘including coordinating with rel-
evant components and offices of the Depart-
ment 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, 
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technology, and standards for the first responder 
community, 
except that such responsibility does not extend to the 
human health-related research and development ac-
tivities’’. 
(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 cen-
tralized Federal clearinghouse established pursuant to 
paragraph (1) of section 313(b) for information relat-
ing 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— 
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‘‘(A) includes consideration by Directorate 
leadership, senior component leadership, first re-
sponders, 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 ac-
tivities, 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 
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‘‘(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 responsive 
to identified homeland security capability gaps and 
raise the science-based, analytic capability and ca-
pacity of appropriate individuals throughout the De-
partment by providing guidance on how to better 
identify homeland security capability gaps that may 
be addressed through a technological solution and by 
partnering with such components 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 capability gaps; 
‘‘(D) support evaluation of alternatives; 
‘‘(E) improve the use of technology Depart-
ment-wide; and 
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‘‘(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 attain 
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 
subsection: 
‘‘(b) REVIEW OF RESPONSIBILITIES.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, 
the Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall sub-
mit to the appropriate congressional committees a report 
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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 strik-
ing subparagraph (F); 
(4) in section 305 (6 U.S.C. 185)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(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 ensure 
that such policies specifically address employees of federally 
funded research and development centers established pursu-
ant to subsection (a) who are in a position to make or mate-
rially influence research findings or agency decision mak-
ing.’’; 
(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 
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the appropriate congressional committees 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 section 
1101 of the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authoriza-
tion Act for Fiscal Year 1999 (5 U.S.C. 3104 note; Public 
Law 105–261). The term of appointments for employees 
under subsection (c)(1) of such section may not exceed five 
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 detec-
tion’’ and inserting ‘‘nuclear, and ex-
plosives countermeasures or detection 
(which may include research into re-
mote sensing and remote imaging)’’; 
and 
(II) by adding after clause (xiv) 
the following new clause: 
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‘‘(xv) Cybersecurity.’’; and 
(ii) by amending subparagraph (D) to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(D) ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not 
later than one year after the date of the enact-
ment of this subparagraph and annually there-
after, the Secretary shall submit to Congress 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 
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‘‘(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 Sec-
retary 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— 
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‘‘(i) establish and update as necessary 
test and evaluation policies for the Depart-
ment, including policies to ensure that oper-
ational testing is done at facilities that al-
ready have relevant and appropriate safety 
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 re-
spect to major acquisition programs of the 
Department, as designated by the Secretary, 
based on risk, acquisition level, novelty, 
complexity, and size of any such acquisition 
program, or as otherwise established in stat-
ute; 
‘‘(iii) review major acquisition pro-
gram test reports and test data to assess the 
adequacy of test and evaluation activities 
conducted by or on behalf of components 
and offices of the Department, including 
test and evaluation activities planned or 
conducted pursuant to clause (ii); and 
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‘‘(iv) review available test and evalua-
tion infrastructure to determine whether the 
Department has adequate resources to carry 
out its testing and evaluation responsibil-
ities, 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 DEFENSE 
TECHNOLOGIES.—The Director of Test, Evaluation, 
and Standards may evaluate technologies currently in 
use or being developed by the Department of Defense 
to assess whether such technologies can be leveraged to 
address homeland security 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.—Notwith-
standing any other provision of law, any funds pro-
vided to a Department of Energy national laboratory 
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 Na-
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tional Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) under con-
struction as of the date of the enactment of this subsection, 
which is intended to the replace the Plum Island Animal 
Disease Center shall be subject to the requirements 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), in the first sen-
tence— 
(I) by striking ‘‘20 members’’ and 
inserting ‘‘not fewer than 15 members 
and not more than 30 members’’; 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 re-
search and development challenges, as appropriate.’’; 
(B) in subsection (c)— 
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(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 sentence, 
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’’; 
(II) in the second sentence, by in-
serting ‘‘, and incorporate the findings 
and recommendations of the Advisory 
Committee 
subcommittees,’’ 
before 
‘‘during’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (2)— 
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(I) striking ‘‘render’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘submit’’; and 
(II) by striking ‘‘Congress’’ and 
inserting ‘‘the appropriate congres-
sional committees’’; 
(E) in subsection (i), by inserting before the 
period at the end the following: ‘‘, except that the 
Advisory Committee shall file a charter with 
Congress every two 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 fol-
lowing new subsection: 
‘‘(c) APPLICATION OF PROGRAM.—The Secretary, act-
ing through the Under Secretary for Science and Tech-
nology, shall use the program established under subsection 
(a) to— 
‘‘(1) enhance the cooperation between components 
and offices of the Department on projects that have 
similar goals, timelines, or outcomes; 
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‘‘(2) ensure the coordination of technologies to 
eliminate unnecessary duplication of research and de-
velopment; 
‘‘(3) ensure technologies are accessible for compo-
nent and office use on a Department website; and 
‘‘(4) carry out any additional purpose the Sec-
retary determines necessary.’’; 
(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 Secretary 
for Science and Technology shall establish a process to de-
fine, identify, prioritize, fund, and task the basic and ap-
plied homeland security research and development activities 
of the Directorate of Science and Technology to meet the 
needs of the components and offices of the Department, the 
first responder community, and the Homeland Security 
Enterprise (as such term is defined in section 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 threats; 
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‘‘(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 
can be addressed through the acquisition process 
instead of commencing research and development 
of technology to address such capability gap; 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 and avoid un-
necessary 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 
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‘‘(B) establishing and promoting a publicly 
accessible portal to allow the first responder com-
munity to help the Directorate of Science and 
Technology develop homeland security research 
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 entities, 
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 considers 
necessary for the identification and prioritization of 
research requirements. 
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‘‘SEC. 319. DEVELOPMENT OF DIRECTORATE STRATEGY AND 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN. 
‘‘(a) STRATEGY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this section, the Under 
Secretary for Science and Technology shall develop 
and submit to the appropriate congressional commit-
tees a strategy to guide the activities of the Direc-
torate of Science and Technology. Such strategy shall 
be updated at least once every five years and shall 
identify priorities and objectives for the development 
of science and technology solutions and capabilities 
addressing homeland security operational needs. Such 
strategy shall include the coordination of such prior-
ities and activities within the Department. Such 
strategy shall take into account the priorities and 
needs of stakeholders in the Homeland Security En-
terprise (as such term is defined in section 322). In 
developing such strategy, efforts shall be made to sup-
port 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; 
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‘‘(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 stra-
tegic goals, objectives, and metrics of the Direc-
torate. 
‘‘(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 technologies 
that could significantly reduce, or mitigate the 
effects of, cybersecurity risks (as such term is de-
fined in subsection (a)(1) of the second section 
226, relating to the national cybersecurity and 
communications integration center), without 
compromising the quality of the evaluation of 
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applications for such designations and certifi-
cates. 
‘‘(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 five years, a five-year research and 
development 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 one year after the date of the enactment of 
this section. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—Each five-year research and 
development 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 five-fiscal-year period 
from 2016 through 2020, and for each five-fiscal- 
year period thereafter; 
‘‘(B) describe, for the activities of the strat-
egy developed under subsection (a), the planned 
annual funding levels for the period covered by 
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each such five-year research and development 
plan; 
‘‘(C) indicate joint investments with other 
Federal partners where applicable, and enhanced 
coordination with organizations as specified in 
paragraph (19) of section 302, as appropriate; 
‘‘(D) analyze how the research programs of 
the Directorate support achievement of the stra-
tegic goals and objectives identified in the strat-
egy required under subsection (a); 
‘‘(E) describe how the activities and pro-
grams of the Directorate meet the requirements 
or homeland security capability gaps identified 
by customers within and outside of the Depart-
ment, including the first responder community; 
and 
‘‘(F) describe the policies of the Directorate 
regarding the management, organization, and 
personnel of the Directorate. 
‘‘(3) SCOPE.—The Under Secretary for Science 
and Technology shall ensure that each five-year re-
search and development plan developed and revised 
under subsection (a)— 
‘‘(A) reflects input from a wide range of 
stakeholders; and 
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‘‘(B) takes into account how research and 
development by other Federal, State, private sec-
tor, and nonprofit institutions contributes to the 
achievement of the priorities identified in each 
plan, and avoids unnecessary duplication with 
such efforts. 
‘‘(4) REPORTS.—At the time the President sub-
mits each annual budget request under section 
1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, the Under 
Secretary for Science and Technology shall submit to 
the appropriate congressional committees a report on 
the status and results to date of implementation of the 
current five-year research and development plan, in-
cluding— 
‘‘(A) a summary of the research and devel-
opment activities for the previous fiscal year in 
each topic area, including such activities to ad-
dress homeland security risks, including threats, 
vulnerabilities, and consequences, and a sum-
mary of the coordination activities undertaken 
by the Directorate of Science and Technology for 
components and offices of the Department, to-
gether with the results of the process specified in 
paragraph (15) of section 302; 
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‘‘(B) clear links between the Directorate’s 
budget and each topic area or program, includ-
ing those topic areas or programs to address 
homeland security risks, including threats, 
vulnerabilities, 
and 
consequences, 
specifying 
which topic areas or programs fall under which 
budget lines, and clear links between Directorate 
coordination work and priorities and annual ex-
penditures for such work and priorities, includ-
ing joint investments with other Federal part-
ners, 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 eval-
uation activities undertaken by the Directorate of Science 
and Technology, and shall provide to the appropriate con-
gressional committees and customers of such activities, at 
a minimum on a biannual basis, regular updates on such 
progress. 
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‘‘(b) REQUIREMENTS.—In order to provide the 
progress updates required under subsection (a), the Under 
Secretary for Science and Technology shall develop a system 
that— 
‘‘(1) monitors progress toward project milestones 
identified by the Under Secretary; 
‘‘(2) maps progress toward deliverables identified 
in each five-year research and development plan re-
quired 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 efforts 
of the Directorate of Science and Technology; and 
‘‘(4) allows the Under Secretary to report the 
number of products and services developed by the Di-
rectorate that have been transitioned into acquisition 
programs and resulted in successfully fielded tech-
nologies. 
‘‘(c) EVALUATION METHODS.— 
‘‘(1) EXTERNAL INPUT, CONSULTATION, AND RE-
VIEW.—The Under Secretary for Science and Tech-
nology shall implement procedures to engage outside 
experts to assist in the evaluation of the progress of 
research, development, testing, and evaluation activi-
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ties of the Directorate of Science and Technology, in-
cluding 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 per-
formance of the Directorate that includes— 
‘‘(A) appropriate methodologies through 
which the Directorate can assess the quality and 
usefulness of technology and services delivered 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. 
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‘‘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 Secretary for 
Science and Technology, in coordination with the Office of 
University Programs of the Department, shall facilitate the 
placement of fellows in relevant scientific or technological 
fields for up to two years in components and offices of the 
Department with a need for scientific and technological ex-
pertise. 
‘‘(b) UTILIZATION OF FELLOWS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Under the Program, the De-
partment 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 compo-
nent or office will reimburse the Directorate for 
the costs of such employment. 
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‘‘(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 Manage-
ment 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 ap-
plicants possess the appropriate level of sci-
entific and engineering expertise and quali-
fications; 
‘‘(iii) provide a list of qualified appli-
cants to the heads of components and offices 
of the Department seeking to utilize quali-
fied fellows; 
‘‘(iv) subject to the availability of ap-
propriations, pay financial compensation to 
such fellows; 
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‘‘(v) coordinate with the Chief Security 
Officer to facilitate and expedite provision 
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. 
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‘‘SEC. 322. CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. 
‘‘(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 sup-
ported 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 recovery 
methodologies, including techniques and policies for 
real-time containment of attacks, and development of 
resilient networks and information systems; 
‘‘(4) support, in coordination with private sec-
tor, the review of source code that underpins critical 
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 technologies; 
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‘‘(6) assist the development and support of tech-
nologies to reduce vulnerabilities in industrial control 
systems; and 
‘‘(7) develop and support cyber forensics and at-
tack attribution. 
‘‘(c) COORDINATION.—In carrying out this section, the 
Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall coordi-
nate 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 Directorate of the 
National Security Agency, the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology, the Department of Com-
merce, the Networking and Information Technology 
Research and Development Program Office, Sector 
Specific Agencies for critical infrastructure, and other 
appropriate working groups established by the Presi-
dent to identify unmet needs and cooperatively sup-
port activities, as appropriate; and 
‘‘(3) industry and academia. 
‘‘(d) TRANSITION TO PRACTICE.—The Under Secretary 
for Science and Technology shall support projects through 
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the full life cycle of such projects, including research, devel-
opment, testing, evaluation, pilots, and transitions. The 
Under Secretary shall identify mature technologies that ad-
dress existing imminent cybersecurity gaps in public or pri-
vate information systems and networks of information sys-
tems, identify and support necessary improvements identi-
fied during pilot programs and testing and evaluation ac-
tivities, and introduce new cybersecurity technologies 
throughout the Homeland Security Enterprise through 
partnerships and commercialization. The Under Secretary 
shall target federally funded cybersecurity research that 
demonstrates a high probability of successful transition to 
the commercial market within two years and that is ex-
pected 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 ‘cyberse-
curity risk’ has the meaning given such term in the 
second section 226, relating to the national cybersecu-
rity 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, 
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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 ‘informa-
tion system’ has the meaning given that term in sec-
tion 3502(8) of title 44, United States Code. 
‘‘SEC. 323. INTEGRATED PRODUCT TEAMS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish inte-
grated product teams to serve as a central mechanism for 
the Department to identify, coordinate, and align research 
and development efforts with departmental missions. Each 
team shall be managed by the Under Secretary for Science 
and Technology and the relevant senior leadership of oper-
ational components, and shall be responsible for the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(1) Identifying and prioritizing homeland secu-
rity capability gaps within 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 departmental 
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research and development activities to address a spe-
cific 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 technological 
solutions are able to address homeland security capa-
bility gaps within a specific mission area. 
‘‘(b) CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT.—Not later than 
two years after the date of enactment of this section, the 
Secretary shall provide to the appropriate congressional 
committees information on the impact and effectiveness of 
the mechanism described in subsection (a) on research and 
development 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 feed-
back in the information provided under this subsection. 
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‘‘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 ‘pro-
gram’) to carry out the objectives of this subtitle. 
‘‘(b) PROGRAM.—The program shall provide students 
with exposure to Department mission-relevant research 
areas to encourage such students to pursue STEM careers 
in homeland security related fields. Internships offered 
under the program shall be for up to ten 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 one academic year of study at an institu-
tion 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 
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STEM field at an institution of higher education 
in the academic year following the internship. 
‘‘(2) An intern shall be pursuing career goals 
aligned with the Department’s mission, goals, and ob-
jectives. 
‘‘(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-
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nology shall conduct outreach to students who are members 
of groups under-represented in STEM careers to encourage 
their participation in the program. 
‘‘(h) INSTITUTION
OF
HIGHER
EDUCATION
DE-
FINED.—In this section, the term ‘institution of higher edu-
cation’ 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 described in sub-
paragraph (C) of such section 102(a)(1).’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by sub-
section (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.—Sec-
tion 831 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 
391) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
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(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 compo-
nent shall first receive prior approval from the Sec-
retary by providing to the Secretary a proposal 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 sub-
ject of the use of such authority. In such a case, the 
authority for evaluating the proposal may not be dele-
gated by the Secretary to anyone other than the 
Under Secretary for Management.’’; 
(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: 
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‘‘(2) REPORT.—The Secretary shall annually 
submit to the appropriate congressional committees 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 ex-
tent of cost-sharing for such projects among Federal 
and non-federal sources, the extent to which use of 
such authority has addressed a homeland security ca-
pability gap 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 au-
thority during the period covered by each such report, 
the outcome of each project for which such authority 
was used, and the results of any audits 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 trans-
action 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).’’. 
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(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 national 
cybersecurity and communications integration center) 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 initiate a study to 
assess the university-based centers for homeland secu-
rity 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 Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs of the Senate for appropriate 
improvements. 
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(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 such key areas for which the 
Department should maintain, establish, or elimi-
nate university-based centers. 
(B) A review of the method by which uni-
versity-based centers, federally funded research 
and development centers, and Department of En-
ergy national laboratories receive tasking from 
the Department of Homeland Security, including 
a review of how university-based research 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 departments’ and agencies’ efforts to orga-
nize and use university-based research to support 
their missions. 
(E) A review of the Department of Home-
land Security’s criteria and metrics to measure 
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demonstrable progress achieved by university- 
based centers in fulfilling Department taskings, 
and mechanisms for delivering and dissemi-
nating the research results of designated univer-
sity-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 Security. 
(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 Home-
land Security, particularly with historically 
Black colleges and universities and minority- 
serving institutions. 
(H) A review of any other essential elements 
of the programs determined in the conduct of the 
study. 
(g) PRIZE AUTHORITY.—The Under Secretary for 
Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland Se-
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curity 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. 
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Union Calendar No. 284 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 3578 
[Report No. 114–372] 
A BILL 
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. 
DECEMBER 8, 2015 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Com-
mittee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, 
and ordered to be printed 
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