Science & Technology Directorate Office of Transition

Mission

Responsible to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate Under Secretary for managing the technology transition effort to transition or transfer near term technology enhancements to the operational components, directorates and first responder communities, Long Range Broad Agency Announcement, and implementation of the Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies (SAFETY) Act.

Objectives

1. Supervises science & technology's advanced technology efforts with S&T Directorate divisions, Department of Homeland Security operational components, industry, other government agencies and end users such as the first responder community. Responsible, in coordination with S&T division heads, for the planning, programming, budgeting and oversight of the S&T Directorate Transition Program.
   
   
2. Engages Department of Homeland Security customers, acquisition partners, S&T Directorate technical division heads, industry and end users in product research, development, transition and acquisition activities.
   
   
3. Establishes appropriate Transition Program performance metrics, assesses the program performance and periodically reports on that performance to the Office of the Under Secretary.
   
   
4. Reviews and submits an integrated technology transition plan for each transition project in coordination with S&T Directorate division heads. The acquisition plan will begin development at program initiation. It will consist of a detailed program to include: Technology Transition Agreement (TTA) (if applicable); goals and objectives; contracting strategy; transition planning; key risk areas; and metrics.  The metrics will track program progress together with cost, schedule and performance. This plan will be approved by the Under Secretary prior to release of funding by the Director of the Strategy, Policy and Budget office. The plan will be updated at least annually to reflect programmatic changes.
   
   
5. Serves as principal Department of Homeland Security S&T Directorate contact for transition portfolio and technology transitions with Department of Homeland Security’s operational components, directorates and industry.
   
   
6. Maintains contact with scientists and engineers in government, industry and academia to meet specific identified needs and/or to participate in science and technology and the formulation of science and technology approaches.
   
   
7. Serves as the senior advocate for the movement of commercial/industrial technology, identifying emerging technologies of interest to Department of Homeland Security and mediating the transition of technology between the provider, customer and the acquisition program.
   
   
8. Represents the S&T Directorate Transition Office with other agencies and organizations.
   
   
9. Coordinates technology readiness level (TRL) assessments through divisions as appropriate.
   
   
10. Oversees execution of Sec. 313 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, “Technology Clearinghouse to Encourage and Support Innovative Solutions to Enhance Homeland Security.”

Leadership

Mr. Richard Kikla is the Director of Transition within the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate.

Organization

The Director of Transition oversees science & technology's advanced technology efforts with S&T Directorate divisions, Department of Homeland Security operational components, industry, other government agencies and end users such as the first responder community.

The Director of Transition serves as the line supervisor for:  Director of the Product Transition Office, Director of the Technology Transfer Office, Director of the Office of the SAFETY Act, Director of First Responder Technologies (R-Tech), Commercialization Office and Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (LRBAA).