Border Security Technology Accountability Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-1634
Sponsor: Rep. McSally, Martha [R-AZ-2]
Introduced: 2015-03-25 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Public contracts and procurement
Technology assessment

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-25
text: 

Border Security Technology Accountability Act of 2015

 
Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require each border security technology acquisition program of the Department of Homeland Security with a significant lifecycle cost estimate to: (1) have written documentation demonstrating that each such program has an acquisition program baseline approved by the relevant acquisition decision authority; and (2) demonstrate that each such program is meeting agreed-upon cost, schedule, and performance thresholds, in compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
 
Directs: (1) the Under Secretary for Management, in coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), to ensure that border security technology acquisition program managers adhere to relevant internal control standards identified by the Government Accountability Office; and (2) CBP to provide information to assist the Under Secretary in monitoring proper program management of such acquisition programs.
 
Requires the Under Secretary, in coordination with CBP, to submit a plan for testing and evaluation, as well as the use of independent verification and validation resources, for border security technology so that new border security technologies are evaluated through a series of assessments, processes, and audits to ensure the effectiveness of taxpayer dollars.

action_date: 2015-07-27
text: 

Border Security Technology Accountability Act of 2015

 
(Sec. 2) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) ensure that each border security technology acquisition program that is determined to be a major acquisition program has an acquisition program baseline approved by the relevant acquisition decision authority; (2) document that each such program is meeting the cost, schedule, and performance thresholds specified in such baseline in compliance with relevant departmental acquisition policies and the Federal Acquisition Regulation; and (3) have a plan for each such program to meet program implementation objectives by managing contractor performance.
 
Directs: (1) the Under Secretary for Management and the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to ensure that border security technology acquisition program managers adhere to relevant internal control standards identified by the Comptroller General, and (2) the Commissioner to provide information to assist the Under Secretary in monitoring proper program management of such acquisition programs.
 
Requires the Under Secretary for Management, in coordination with the Under Secretary for Science and Technology and the Commissioner, to submit a plan for testing and evaluation, as well as the use of independent verification and validation resources, for border security technology so that new border security technologies are evaluated through a series of assessments, processes, and audits to ensure compliance with relevant departmental acquisition policies and the Federal Acquisition Regulation, as well as the effectiveness of taxpayer dollars.
 
Defines "major acquisition program" to mean a DHS acquisition program that is estimated by DHS to require an eventual total expenditure of at least $300 million over its life cycle cost.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-07-28
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2015-07-27
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2015-07-27
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5494)
action_date: 2015-07-27
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5494)
action_date: 2015-07-27
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1634.
action_date: 2015-07-27
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5494-5495)
action_date: 2015-07-27
text: Ms. McSally moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2015-07-27
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 171.
action_date: 2015-07-27
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 114-226.
action_date: 2015-07-27
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 114-226.
action_date: 2015-06-25
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2015-06-25
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2015-04-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
action_date: 2015-03-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
action_date: 2015-03-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-03-25
text: Introduced in House