Border Security Technology Accountability Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-146
Sponsor: Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2017-01-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Public contracts and procurement
Technology assessment

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: 

Border Security Technology Accountability Act of 2017

 
This bill 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.
 
The Under Secretary for Management and the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection is required to ensure that border security technology acquisition program managers adhere to relevant internal control standards identified by the Government Accountability Office. The Commissioner shall provide information to assist the Under Secretary in monitoring proper program management of such acquisition programs.
 
The Under Secretary for Management, in coordination with the Under Secretary for Science and Technology and the Commissioner, shall submit a plan for testing and evaluation, and 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: (1) compliance with relevant departmental acquisition policies and the Federal Acquisition Regulation, and (2) the effectiveness of taxpayer dollars.
 
"Major acquisition program" means 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.

action_date: 2018-04-16
text: 

Border Security Technology Accountability Act of 2017

 
This bill 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 a major acquisition program has an acquisition program baseline approved by the relevant acquisition decision authority; (2) document program program cost, schedule, and performance compliance; and (3) have a plan for each program to meet implementation objectives by managing contractor performance.
 
 DHS and U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall ensure that border security technology acquisition program managers adhere to internal control standards identified by the Government Accountability Office. 
 
 DHS shall submit a plan for testing border security technology so that new border security technologies are evaluated to ensure: (1) compliance with relevant departmental acquisition policies and the Federal Acquisition Regulation, and (2) the effectiveness of taxpayer dollars.
 
"Major acquisition program" means 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: 2018-04-16
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 379.
action_date: 2018-04-16
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. With written report No. 115-230.
action_date: 2018-04-16
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. With written report No. 115-230.
action_date: 2017-10-04
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Introduced in Senate