H.R. 5683House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Department of Homeland Security Border Support Services Contracts Review Act

Introduced October 22, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 7:32 AM UTC

The bill requires the Department of Homeland Security’s Under Secretary for Management to review and report on all active contracts for contractor‑provided services along the United States‑Mexico land border. Within 180 days of enactment, the Under Secretary must submit a detailed analysis of why contractors are used, how they affect mission needs, cost‑effectiveness, and opportunities for better procurement. The law also mandates an implementation plan and regular briefings to the House and Senate Homeland Security committees.

Key Provisions

  • Report within 180 days on all active contracts for covered services awarded on or before September 30, 2021, including criteria for using contractors, analysis of purpose, quantity, location, and impact on DHS personnel
  • Assess whether contractor services are more efficient or effective than using DHS employees and evaluate contract‑vehicle options for cost‑effectiveness
  • Develop a five‑year strategy and recommendations to improve procurement, delivery, competition, and avoid service lapses
  • Submit an implementation plan to carry out the recommendations and provide briefings to the appropriate congressional committees every 180 days until fully implemented
  • Define “covered services” as any contractor‑provided service related to border security and set a contract threshold of $50 million for reporting

Legislative Activity

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7 earlier actions
HouseCalendars Latest Action

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 167.

January 21, 2022

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

October 22, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.

October 22, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight, Management, and Accountability.

October 25, 2021

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee on Oversight, Management, and Accountability Discharged.

October 26, 2021

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

October 26, 2021

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

October 26, 2021

HouseCommittee

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 117-232.

January 21, 2022

HouseCalendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 167.

January 21, 2022

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.R. 5683 on the floor

1 Democrat
Bennie G. Thompson
Rep. Bennie G. ThompsonD-MS-2 · Mar 2, 2022

Madam Speaker, I include in the Record the cost estimate prepared by the Congressional Budget Office for H.R. 5683, the Department of Homeland Security Border Support Services Contracts Review Act.…

Bill Text

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Reported in HouseIssued January 21, 2022

IB

Union Calendar No. 167

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 5683

[Report No. 117–232]

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 22, 2021

Mrs. Cammack (for herself and Mr. Katko) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security

January 21, 2022

Reported with amendments, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic

For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on October 22, 2021


A BILL

To direct the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security to assess contracts for covered services performed by contractor personnel along the borders of the United States, and for other purposes.


1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Department of Homeland Security Border Support Services Contracts Review Act.

2.

Assessment of contracts for covered services by the Department of Homeland Security

(a)

Report

(1)

In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security, in consultation with appropriate officials of the Department, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on active contracts for covered services of the Department awarded on or before September 30, 2021.

(2)

Elements

The report required under paragraph (1) shall include the following:

(A)

The criteria used by the Department to determine whether contractor personnel were necessary to assist the Department in carrying out its mission along the United States land border with Mexico.

(B)

An analysis of the purpose, quantity, and location of contractor personnel to perform covered services of the Department with respect to effectively—

(i)

addressing mission needs along such border; and

(ii)

enhancing the capability of Department personnel to perform primary mission responsibilities, including the number of Department personnel not removed from their primary mission responsibilities by reason of the performance of covered services by contractor personnel.

(C)

An assessment with respect to the benefits of contractor personnel performing covered services, including whether the performance of such services by contractor personnel is more efficient or effective than the performance of such services by Department employees.

(D)

An assessment of opportunities to increase the efficiency of the Department with respect to contracting, including whether Department-wide contract vehicles for covered services would be the most cost effective option for the performance of covered services.

(E)

A strategy to improve the procurement and delivery of covered services through contracts during the five-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act to achieve the best value for the Department through the use of full and open competition and to ensure no lapse in the performance of such services.

(F)

Recommendations based on findings resulting from the analysis and assessments required in subparagraphs (B) through (D).

(G)

Any other information relating to contracts for covered services that the Under Secretary determines to be appropriate.

(b)

Implementation plan

(1)

In general

The Under Secretary for Management shall transmit with the report required under subsection (a) a plan to implement the recommendations and strategy contained in such report to enhance coordination, minimize overlap, and increase cost effectiveness among contracts for covered services.

(2)

Briefing

Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Under Secretary for Management submits the report required under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) and the plan required under paragraph (1) and every 180 days thereafter until the plan is fully implemented, the Under Secretary, or the designee of the Under Secretary, shall provide a briefing to the appropriate congressional committees with respect to the status of such implementation.

(c)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

The term appropriate congressional committees means—

(A)

the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives; and

(B)

the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate.

(2)

The term contract for covered services means a contract (with a total contract value of $50,000,000 or more, inclusive of contract options) relating to the procurement of covered services for the Department of Homeland Security.

(3)

The term covered services means, with respect to the United States land border with Mexico, any service, including related to border security, provided by a contractor to be used by the Department.

Amend the title so as to read: A bill to direct the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security to assess contracts for covered services performed by contractor personnel along the United States land border with Mexico, and for other purposes..

January 21, 2022

Reported with amendments, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed