H.R. 1252House115th Congress (2017-2019)Passed House

DHS Acquisition Authorities Act of 2017

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 1:17 PM UTC

The DHS Acquisition Authorities Act of 2017 amends the Homeland Security Act to give the Under Secretary for Management the role of Chief Acquisition Officer and expands acquisition authority across DHS leadership. It adds new duties for the CFO and CIO, creates a Program Accountability and Risk Management office, and sets rules for delegating acquisition decisions to component officials. The changes affect how the Department plans, oversees, and reports on major acquisition programs.

Key Provisions

Designates the Under Secretary for Management as the Department’s Chief Acquisition Officer, granting authority under the Federal Acquisition Regulation and responsibilities such as advising the Secretary, leading the Acquisition Review Board, and setting acquisition policy.
Allows the Under Secretary to delegate acquisition decision authority to Component Acquisition Executives for programs under $300 million (Level 3) and for $300 million‑$1 billion programs (Level 2) when specific policy, staffing, and baseline requirements are met.
Adds to the Chief Financial Officer the authority to oversee acquisition program costs and ensure they align with budget estimates and lifecycle affordability.
Gives the Chief Information Officer acquisition responsibilities for IT, requiring compliance with the Homeland Security Enterprise Architecture and providing recommendations to the Acquisition Review Board.
Creates a Program Accountability and Risk Management office within the Management Directorate, led by an Executive Director reporting to the Under Secretary, to monitor program performance, conduct oversight, develop certification standards, and prepare annual acquisition status reports.

Legislative Activity

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14 earlier actions

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

March 21, 2017

View full timeline

HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 28, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Homeland Security Committee

February 28, 2017

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Homeland Security Committee

March 8, 2017

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Homeland Security Committee

March 8, 2017

HouseCommittee

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 115-47.

Homeland Security Committee

March 20, 2017

HouseCalendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 27.

March 20, 2017

HouseFloor

Mr. Higgins (LA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

March 20, 2017 • 4:31 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2219-2221)

March 20, 2017 • 4:31 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1252.

March 20, 2017 • 4:31 PM

HouseFloor

At 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.

March 20, 2017 • 4:37 PM

HouseFloor

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2224)

March 20, 2017 • 7:08 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 407 - 1 (Roll no. 175).(text of measure as passed: CR H2219-2220)

View vote Passed

March 20, 2017 • 7:14 PM

HouseFloor

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 407 - 1 (Roll no. 175). (text of measure as passed: CR H2219-2220)

View vote Passed

March 20, 2017 • 7:14 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

March 20, 2017 • 7:14 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

March 21, 2017

Voting History

1 vote recorded • Roll call available

HOUSE

Roll Call Available

March 20, 2017 at 7:13 PM

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

Majority required: 2/3 (66.7%)

Passed

407 - 1

Floor Debate

4 members

What members said about H.R. 1252 on the floor

2 Republicans2 Democrats

Rep. Clay HigginsR-LA-3 · Mar 20, 2017

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1252) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide for certain acquisition authorities for the Under Secretary of Management…

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1252, the Department of Homeland Security Acquisition Authorities Act of 2017.

The Department of Homeland Security has been routinely criticized over the years by watchdogs at the Government Accountability Office and DHS Office of Inspector General for failing to responsibly manage its major acquisition programs. These programs, which secure our borders, safeguard our cyber networks, protect air travelers, defend our shores, among other critical missions, and cost taxpayers billions of dollars every year.

Watchdogs have previously reported how DHS leadership has failed to hold programs accountable to its own acquisition policies. In some cases, these programs have spent billions of dollars of American treasure without having to show what they will ultimately cost, when they will be complete, and what benefits they will deliver to frontline operators. DHS' Under Secretary for Management has not had the force of law to hold these programs accountable until now.

My bill establishes a top cop in the Under Secretary for Management as Chief Acquisitions Officer to oversee these billion-dollar programs. It requires thoughtful management of major acquisition programs based on private sector best practices. My bill requires strong accountability measures to oversee major acquisition programs so that these critical tools get into the hands of those defending our homeland on time and on budget.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space,

and Tehcnology,

Washington, DC, March 10, 2017.

Hon. Michael McCaul,

Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of

Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing concerning H.R. 1252, the

``DHS Acquisition Authorities Act of 2017,'' which your

Committee ordered reported on March 8, 2017.

H.R. 1252 contains provisions within the Committee on

Science, Space, and Technology's Rule X jurisdiction. In

order to expedite this bill for floor consideration, the

Committee on Science, Space, and Technology will forego

action on the bill. This is being done on the basis of our

mutual understanding that doing so will in no way diminish or

alter the jurisdiction of the Committee on Science, Space,

and Technology with respect to the appointment of conferees,

or to any future jurisdictional claim over the subject

matters contained in the bill or similar legislation.

I would appreciate your response to this letter confirming

this understanding, and would request that you include a copy

of this letter and your response in the Congressional Record

during the floor consideration of this bill. Thank you in

advance for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Lamar Smith,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New Jersey. I, once again, urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1252, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Rep. Bonnie Watson ColemanD-NJ-12 · Mar 20, 2017

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 1252, the DHS Acquisition Authorities Act of 2017. The Department of Homeland Security has limited acquisition…

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of H.R. 1252, the DHS Acquisition Authorities Act of 2017. The Department of Homeland Security has limited acquisition resources and must be effective stewards of taxpayer dollars. As such, DHS' procurement practices must be sound, effective, and adhered to throughout the organization.

Although DHS has come a long way since its inception in 2002, acquisition management remains a challenge for the Department. In fact, a 2015 assessment by the GAO of DHS' largest acquisition programs determined that only 2 of the 22 reviewed programs were on track to meet their initial schedule and cost parameters.

Responsibility for addressing weaknesses in acquisitions management and increasing effectiveness of DHS' major acquisitions begins at the top, with the DHS leadership. To that end, H.R. 1252 codifies that acquisition decision authority rests with the Under Secretary for Management as the Department's Chief Acquisition Officer.

H.R. 1252 authorizes the Under Secretary for Management to mandate acquisition policies, establishes the Under Secretary as lead of the Department's acquisition oversight body, and charges the Under Secretary with advising the Secretary regarding acquisition management activities.

To ensure greater oversight of the Department's procurement activities, H.R. 1252 also establishes acquisition management functions for DHS' Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer, and the Program Accountability and Risk Management Office.

This legislation is intended to clarify roles and responsibilities within DHS acquisition management activities and increase accountability of the Department's procedures, particularly those classified as underperforming.

H.R. 1252 was approved by the House in October 2015, and was approved unanimously by the Committee on Homeland Security just a few weeks ago.

Given the complexity of the organization, it is incumbent upon the Department to tackle its diverse procurement challenges from the top down.

H.R. 1252 codifies the acquisition management roles within the Department and supports enhanced accountability in management of DHS' acquisitions.

By passing this legislation, Congress can take another important step toward increasing efficiency and improving outcomes of DHS' major acquisition programs.

I join in congratulating the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Higgins) on the good work that he has done here.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of H.R. 1252, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Rep. Michael T. McCaulR-TX-10 · Mar 23, 2017

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office regarding H.R. 1252. The cost estimate was not available at the time of the filing of the Committee report.…

Rep. Michael T. McCaulR-TX-10 · Jul 24, 2017

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office regarding H.R. 2825. The cost estimate was not available at the time of the filing of the Committee report.…

Rep. Thomas R. SuozziD-NY-3 · Mar 20, 2017

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall vote 173 H.R. 1294, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.'' On rollcall vote 174 H.R. 1249 (as amended), had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.'' On rollcall…

Bill Text

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Referred in SenateIssued March 21, 2017

IIB

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1252

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 21, 2017

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

AN ACT

To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide for certain acquisition authorities for the Under Secretary of Management of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the DHS Acquisition Authorities Act of 2017.

Acquisition authorities for Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security

Section 701 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 341) is amended by—

(1)

redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections (e) and (f); and

(2)

inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsection:

(d)

Acquisition and related responsibilities

(1)

In general

Notwithstanding section 1702(b) of title 41, United States Code, the Under Secretary for Management is the Chief Acquisition Officer of the Department. As Chief Acquisition Officer, the Under Secretary shall have the authorities and perform the functions specified in section 1702(b) of such title, and perform all other functions and responsibilities delegated by the Secretary or described in this subsection.

(2)

Functions and responsibilities

In addition to the authorities and functions specified in section 1702(b) of title 41, United States Code, the functions and responsibilities of the Under Secretary for Management related to acquisition (as such term is defined in section 710) include the following:

(A)

Advising the Secretary regarding acquisition management activities, taking into account risks of failure to achieve cost, schedule, or performance parameters, to ensure that the Department achieves its mission through the adoption of widely accepted program management best practices (as such term is defined in section 710) and standards and, where appropriate, acquisition innovation best practices.

(B)

Leading the Department’s acquisition oversight body, the Acquisition Review Board, and exercising the acquisition decision authority (as such term is defined in section 710) to approve, pause, modify (including the rescission of approvals of program milestones), or cancel major acquisition programs (as such term is defined in section 710), unless the Under Secretary delegates such authority to a Component Acquisition Executive (as such term is defined in section 710) pursuant to paragraph (3).

(C)

Establishing policies for acquisition that implement an approach that takes into account risks of failure to achieve cost, schedule, or performance parameters that all components of the Department shall comply with, including outlining relevant authorities for program managers to effectively manage acquisition programs.

(D)

Ensuring that each major acquisition program has a Department-approved acquisition program baseline (as such term is defined in section 710), pursuant to the Department’s acquisition management policy.

(E)

Ensuring that the heads of components and Component Acquisition Executives comply with Federal law, the Federal Acquisition Regulation, and Department acquisition management directives.

(F)

Ensuring that grants and financial assistance are provided only to individuals and organizations that are not suspended or debarred.

(G)

Distributing guidance throughout the Department to ensure that contractors involved in acquisitions, particularly contractors that access the Department’s information systems and technologies, adhere to relevant Department policies related to physical and information security as identified by the Under Secretary for Management.

(H)

Overseeing the Component Acquisition Executive organizational structure to ensure Component Acquisition Executives have sufficient capabilities and comply with Department acquisition policies.

(3)

Delegation of acquisition decision authority

(A)

Level 3 acquisitions

The Under Secretary for Management may delegate acquisition decision authority in writing to the relevant Component Acquisition Executive for an acquisition program that has a life cycle cost estimate of less than $300,000,000.

(B)

Level 2 acquisitions

The Under Secretary for Management may delegate acquisition decision authority in writing to the relevant Component Acquisition Executive for a major acquisition program that has a life cycle cost estimate of at least $300,000,000 but not more than $1,000,000,000 if all of the following requirements are met:

(i)

The component concerned possesses working policies, processes, and procedures that are consistent with Department-level acquisition policy.

(ii)

The Component Acquisition Executive concerned has adequate, experienced, and dedicated professional employees with program management training, as applicable, commensurate with the size of the acquisition programs and related activities delegated to such Component Acquisition Executive by the Under Secretary for Management.

(iii)

Each major acquisition program concerned has written documentation showing that it has a Department-approved acquisition program baseline and it is meeting agreed-upon cost, schedule, and performance thresholds.

(4)

Relationship to Under Secretary for Science and Technology

(A)

In general

Nothing in this subsection shall diminish the authority granted to the Under Secretary for Science and Technology under this Act. The Under Secretary for Management and the Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall cooperate in matters related to the coordination of acquisitions across the Department so that investments of the Directorate of Science and Technology are able to support current and future requirements of the components of the Department.

(B)

Operational testing and evaluation

The Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall—

(i)

ensure, in coordination with relevant component heads, that major acquisition programs—

(I)

complete operational testing and evaluation of technologies and systems;

(II)

use independent verification and validation of operational test and evaluation implementation and results; and

(III)

document whether such programs meet all performance requirements included in their acquisition program baselines;

(ii)

ensure that such operational testing and evaluation includes all system components and incorporates operators into the testing to ensure that systems perform as intended in the appropriate operational setting; and

(iii)

determine if testing conducted by other Federal agencies and private entities is relevant and sufficient in determining whether systems perform as intended in the operational setting.

Acquisition authorities for Chief Financial Officer of the Department of Homeland Security

Paragraph (2) of section 702(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 342(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(J)

Oversee the costs of acquisition programs and related activities to ensure that actual and planned costs are in accordance with budget estimates and are affordable, or can be adequately funded, over the life cycle of such programs and activities.

Acquisition authorities for Chief Information Officer of the Department of Homeland Security

Section 703 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 343) is amended—

(1)

by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and

(2)

by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsection:

(b)

Acquisition responsibilities

Notwithstanding section 11315 of title 40, United States Code, the acquisition responsibilities of the Chief Information Officer, in consultation with the Under Secretary for Management, shall include the following:

(1)

Oversee the management of the Homeland Security Enterprise Architecture and ensure that, before each acquisition decision event (as such term is defined in section 710), approved information technology acquisitions comply with departmental information technology management processes, technical requirements, and the Homeland Security Enterprise Architecture, and in any case in which information technology acquisitions do not comply with the Department’s management directives, make recommendations to the Acquisition Review Board regarding such noncompliance.

(2)

Be responsible for providing recommendations to the Acquisition Review Board regarding information technology programs, and be responsible for developing information technology acquisition strategic guidance.

Acquisition authorities for Program Accountability and Risk Management (PARM)

(a)

In general

Title VII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 341 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

710.

Acquisition authorities for Program Accountability and Risk Management

(a)

Establishment of Office

Within the Management Directorate, there shall be a Program Accountability and Risk Management office to—

(1)

provide consistent accountability, standardization, and transparency of major acquisition programs of the Department; and

(2)

serve as the central oversight function for all Department acquisition programs.

(b)

Responsibilities of Executive Director

The Program Accountability and Risk Management office shall be led by an Executive Director to oversee the requirement under subsection (a). The Executive Director shall report directly to the Under Secretary for Management, and shall carry out the following responsibilities:

(1)

Monitor regularly the performance of Department acquisition programs between acquisition decision events to identify problems with cost, performance, or schedule that components may need to address to prevent cost overruns, performance issues, or schedule delays.

(2)

Assist the Under Secretary for Management in managing the Department’s acquisition programs and related activities.

(3)

Conduct oversight of individual acquisition programs to implement Department acquisition program policy, procedures, and guidance with a priority on ensuring the data the office collects and maintains from Department components is accurate and reliable.

(4)

Serve as the focal point and coordinator for the acquisition life cycle review process and as the executive secretariat for the Acquisition Review Board.

(5)

Advise the persons having acquisition decision authority in making acquisition decisions consistent with all applicable laws and in establishing clear lines of authority, accountability, and responsibility for acquisition decisionmaking within the Department.

(6)

Engage in the strategic planning and performance evaluation process required under section 306 of title 5, United States Code, and sections 1105(a)(28), 1115, 1116, and 9703 of title 31, United States Code, by supporting the Chief Procurement Officer in developing strategies and specific plans for hiring, training, and professional development in order to rectify any deficiency within the Department’s acquisition workforce.

(7)

Develop standardized certification standards in consultation with the Component Acquisition Executives for all acquisition program managers.

(8)

In the event that an acquisition program manager’s certification or actions need review for purposes of promotion or removal, provide input, in consultation with the relevant Component Acquisition Executive, into the relevant acquisition program manager’s performance evaluation, and report positive or negative experiences to the relevant certifying authority.

(9)

Provide technical support and assistance to Department acquisitions and acquisition personnel in conjunction with the Chief Procurement Officer.

(10)

Prepare the Department’s Comprehensive Acquisition Status Report, as required by title I of division D of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (Public Law 114–113), and make such report available to the congressional homeland security committees.

(c)

Responsibilities of components

Each head of a component shall comply with Federal law, the Federal Acquisition Regulation, and Department acquisition management directives established by the Under Secretary for Management. For each major acquisition program, each head of a component shall—

(1)

define baseline requirements and document changes to such requirements, as appropriate;

(2)

establish a complete life cycle cost estimate with supporting documentation, including an acquisition program baseline;

(3)

verify each life cycle cost estimate against independent cost estimates, and reconcile any differences;

(4)

complete a cost-benefit analysis with supporting documentation;

(5)

develop and maintain a schedule that is consistent with scheduling best practices as identified by the Comptroller General of the United States, including, in appropriate cases, an integrated master schedule; and

(6)

ensure that all acquisition program information provided by the component is complete, accurate, timely, and valid.

(d)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Acquisition

The term acquisition has the meaning given such term in section 131 of title 41, United States Code.

(2)

Acquisition decision authority

The term acquisition decision authority means the authority, held by the Secretary acting through the Deputy Secretary or Under Secretary for Management to—

(A)

ensure compliance with Federal law, the Federal Acquisition Regulation, and Department acquisition management directives;

(B)

review (including approving, pausing, modifying, or canceling) an acquisition program through the life cycle of such program;

(C)

ensure that acquisition program managers have the resources necessary to successfully execute an approved acquisition program;

(D)

ensure good acquisition program management of cost, schedule, risk, and system performance of the acquisition program at issue, including assessing acquisition program baseline breaches and directing any corrective action for such breaches; and

(E)

ensure that acquisition program managers, on an ongoing basis, monitor cost, schedule, and performance against established baselines and use tools to assess risks to an acquisition program at all phases of the life cycle of such program to avoid and mitigate acquisition program baseline breaches.

(3)

Acquisition decision event

The term acquisition decision event, with respect to an acquisition program, means a predetermined point within each of the acquisition phases at which the acquisition decision authority determines whether such acquisition program shall proceed to the next acquisition phase.

(4)

Acquisition program

The term acquisition program means the process by which the Department acquires, with any appropriated amounts, by contract for purchase or lease, property or services (including construction) that support the missions and goals of the Department.

(5)

Acquisition program baseline

The term acquisition program baseline, with respect to an acquisition program, means a summary of the cost, schedule, and performance parameters, expressed in standard, measurable, quantitative terms, which must be met in order to accomplish the goals of such program.

(6)

Best practices

The term best practices, with respect to acquisition, means a knowledge-based approach to capability development that includes—

(A)

identifying and validating needs;

(B)

assessing alternatives to select the most appropriate solution;

(C)

clearly establishing well-defined requirements;

(D)

developing realistic cost assessments and schedules;

(E)

securing stable funding that matches resources to requirements;

(F)

demonstrating technology, design, and manufacturing maturity;

(G)

using milestones and exit criteria or specific accomplishments that demonstrate progress;

(H)

adopting and executing standardized processes with known success across programs;

(I)

establishing an adequate workforce that is qualified and sufficient to perform necessary functions; and

(J)

integrating the capabilities described in subparagraphs (A) through (I) into the Department’s mission and business operations.

(7)

Breach

The term breach, with respect to a major acquisition program, means a failure to meet any cost, schedule, or performance threshold specified in the most recently approved acquisition program baseline.

(8)

Congressional homeland security committees

The term congressional homeland security committees means—

(A)

the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and

(B)

the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and of the Senate.

(9)

Component Acquisition Executive

The term Component Acquisition Executive means the senior acquisition official within a component who is designated in writing by the Under Secretary for Management, in consultation with the component head, with authority and responsibility for leading 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, including compliance with Federal law, the Federal Acquisition Regulation, and Department acquisition management directives established by the Under Secretary for Management.

(10)

Major acquisition program

The term major acquisition program means a Department acquisition program that is estimated by the Secretary to require an eventual total expenditure of at least $300,000,000 (based on fiscal year 2017 constant dollars) over its life cycle cost.

(b)

Clerical amendment

The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 709 the following new item:

Sec. 710. Acquisition authorities for Program Accountability and Risk Management.

Passed the House of Representatives March 20, 2017.

Karen L. Haas,

Clerk.