DHS Efficiency Review

In March 2009, Secretary Napolitano launched the Department-wide Efficiency Review to:

• reduce costs
• improve efficiency
• streamline operations
• eliminate duplication
• promote greater accountability
• support transparency, and
• enhance customer service.

On September 14, 2011, Vice President Biden highlighted the DHS’s Efficiency Review as a model effort for other agencies. “Over the last two years, we have made an unprecedented commitment to efficiency in order to support frontline operations by building a culture of fiscal discipline and accountability throughout the Department,” said Secretary Napolitano.

“Through the Department of Homeland Security’s Efficiency Review, we’ve taken a hard look at how we do business, and identified ways to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of limited taxpayer dollars we receive.”

DHS Efficiency Review Fact Sheet

Initiative Categories

Daily Expenses Background investigations Communication devices Facilities Furniture Office supplies Printing Software licenses Subscriptions Travel Uniforms

Personnel Employee orientation and training Hiring/security and suitability processes HQ-component coordination and decision-making Paperless earning and leave statements Web systems optimization Workforce assessment and retention

Physical Assets Bulk fuel acquisition Energy management Fleet management Hybrid vehicles IT and office equipment

More Than $1 Billion in Cost Avoidances Identified

In partnership with DHS's component leadership, DHS Efficiency Review is helping to create a DHS that is leaner, smarter, more responsive and better equipped to protect the nation.

Over 30 DHS Efficiency Review initiatives have led to significant progress across the Department. To date, DHS has identified more than $1 billion in cost avoidances, including:

• $180 million through enterprise software licensing agreements
• $15.5 million by sharing excess IT equipment within the Department rather than buying new
• $4 million by consolidating subscriptions to professional publications and newspapers
• $6.1 million by using government office space and online tools for conferences instead of renting private facilities

The DHS Efficiency Review has facilitated efficiencies for other federal agencies. In response to DHS's paperless earnings and leave statements initiative, expected to result in a cost avoidance of $1.7 million for DHS, the Office of Management and Budget directed the National Finance Center to change the default government-wide civilian employee setting for earnings and leave statements from paper to electronic, resulting in an estimated annual savings of $4 million for the federal government.

In the News

• Secretary Napolitano Announces Two New Initiatives (4/7/2010)
• Secretary Napolitano Highlights DHS Accomplishments (12/15/2009)
• DHS Reaches Fourth Efficiency Milestone (7/24/2009)
• DHS Reaches Third Efficiency Milestone (6/26/2009)
• DHS Reaches Second Efficiency Review Milestone (5/28/2009)
• DHS Reaches First Efficiency Review Milestone (4/30/2009)
• Secretary Napolitano Rolls out DHS Efficiency Review Initiative (3/27/2009)