Biodefense: DHS Exploring New Methods to Replace BioWatch and Could Benefit from Additional Guidance

Abstract

Early detection of a biological attack can help reduce illness and loss of life, but DHS has faced challenges in acquiring biodetection capabilities to replace BioWatch, the current system used to detect aerosolized biological attacks. According to DHS, it is exploring the use of a new anomaly detection capability that, if developed successfully, could reduce the time to detection. GAO was asked to examine the BD21 acquisition and assess technical maturity. This report (1) describes BD21 and the extent to which the program has followed DHS's acquisition policy, and (2) examines potential technical challenges to successful BD21 development, and actions to mitigate acquisition risks. GAO analyzed program acquisition documents against DHS acquisition policy and analyzed DHS's TRA guide against GAO's TRA best practices guide. GAO also interviewed DHS and DOD officials familiar with the BD21 acquisition effort for additional context.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2021
Accession Number
AD1174785

Entities

People

  • Chris P. Currie
  • Karen L. Howard

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy
  • Biomedical
  • Cyber
  • Engineered Resilient Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Biological Detection
  • Biosensors
  • Department Of Defense
  • Department Of Homeland Security
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Homeland Security
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Manufacturing
  • Medical Personnel
  • Public Health
  • Synthetic Biology
  • Systems Engineering
  • Terrorists
  • Test And Evaluation
  • United States Government
  • Weapons Of Mass Destruction

Readers

  • Critical Infrastructure Protection in CBRN and WMD Threats.
  • Government and Public Administration Law.
  • Organizational Process Management (OPM).