Department of Homeland Security: Opportunities Exist to Better Evaluate and Coordinate Border and Maritime Research and Development
Abstract
Conducting border and maritime R and D to develop technologies for detecting, preventing, and mitigating terrorist threats is vital to enhancing the security of the nation. S and T, the Coast Guard, and DNDO conduct these R and D activities and S and T has responsibility for coordinating and integrating R and D activities across DHS. The Centers of Excellence are a network of university R and D centers that provide DHS with tools, expertise, and access to research facilities and laboratories, among other things. GAO was asked to review DHSs border and maritime R and D efforts. This report addresses (1) the results of DHS border and maritime security R and D efforts and the extent to which DHS has obtained and evaluated feedback on these efforts, and (2) the extent that DHS coordinates its border and maritime R and D efforts internally and externally with other federal agencies and the private sector. GAO reviewed completed and ongoing R and D project information and documentation from fiscal years 2010 through 2013 and interviewed DHS component officials, among other actions. What GAO Recommends GAO recommends that DHS S and T establish timeframes and milestones for collecting and evaluating feedback from its customers to determine the usefulness and impact of its R and D efforts, and ensure that potential challenges with regard to data reliability, accessibility, and availability are reviewed and understood before approving Centers of Excellence R and D projects. DHS concurred with GAOs recommendations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- AD1106099
Entities
People
- David C. Maurer
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office