HR-1294 : Still Just a Bill

Reducing DHS Acquisition Cost Growth Act

This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the program manager of a major acquisition program (a Department of Homeland Security [DHS] acquisition program estimated to require an eventual total expenditure of at least $300 million over its life cycle cost) to notify the program's Component Acquisition Executive (CAE) (the senior acquisition official within a DHS component designated to lead a process and staff to provide acquisition and program management oversight, policy, and guidance to ensure that statutory, regulatory, and higher level policy requirements are fulfilled), the head of the component concerned, the Executive Director of the Program Accountability and Risk Management division, the Under Secretary for Management, and the Deputy Secretary of DHS within 30 days after any breach in such program is identified.

If such a breach results in a cost overrun greater than 15%, a schedule delay greater than 180 days, or a failure to meet any performance thresholds from the cost, schedule, or performance parameters specified in the most recently approved acquisition program baseline for such a program, the CAE must notify the DHS Secretary and Inspector General within five business days after such other officials are notified of the breach.

If such a breach occurs, the program manager for such program shall submit to the component head, the Executive Director, and the Under Secretary in writing a remediation plan and root cause analysis. The Under Secretary shall review the remediation plan and may approve it or provide an alternative proposed corrective action.

The Under Secretary shall notify the congressional homeland security committees of such breach. If a likely cost overrun is greater than 20% or a likely delay is greater than 12 months from the costs and schedule specified in the baseline, the Under Secretary shall include in such notification a written certification that:

  • such program is essential to the accomplishment of DHS's mission;
  • there are no alternatives to the capability or asset provided by such program that will provide equal or greater capability in both a more cost-effective and timely manner;
  • the new acquisition schedule and estimates for total acquisition cost are reasonable; and
  • the management structure for such program is adequate to manage and control cost, schedule, and performance.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2017-03-21IntroReferralReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.Senate
2017-03-20FloorMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
2017-03-20VoteOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 408 - 0 (Roll no. 173). (text of measure as passed: CR H2213-2214)House floor actions
2017-03-20FloorConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2222)House floor actions
2017-03-20FloorAt the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.House floor actions
2017-03-20FloorDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1294.House floor actions
2017-03-20FloorConsidered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2213-2215)House floor actions
2017-03-20FloorMr. Rutherford moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.House floor actions
2017-03-20CalendarsPlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 25.House floor actions
2017-03-20CommitteeReported by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 115-45.House floor actions
2017-03-08CommitteeOrdered to be Reported by Voice Vote.House committee actions
2017-03-08CommitteeCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.House committee actions
2017-03-01IntroReferralReferred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.House floor actions
2017-03-01IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Policy Area :

Government Operations and Politics
See Subjects
  • Congressional oversight
  • Government studies and investigations
  • Performance measurement
  • Public contracts and procurement
  • Department of Homeland Security

Related Bills

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