Goal 5: Strengthen and Unify DHS Operations and Management

It has been a challenge to take 22 separate agencies, each with their own set culture and way of operating and merge them together into a unified Department with a common mission of securing the homeland from terrorist and other threats. We have made many strides in strengthening the Department's operations and management. Major accomplishments include the following:

Chief Human Capital Office Moved Forward with Performance Management Goals: DHS deployed its performance management program and its automated system to approximately 10,000 employees in multiple components and trained 350 senior executives and more than 11,000 managers and supervisors in performance leadership.

The Office of Security Completed HSPD-12 Goals: The Office of Security met all Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) 12 requirements by deploying an HSPD-12 compliant credentialing system and associated policy and procedures. This new credential meets all Federal requirements for interoperability and security.

The Chief Procurement Office Exceeded Small Business Goals: DHS awarded approximately 34 percent of DHS prime contracts to small businesses, exceeding the goal by 4 percent.

Chief Information Office Stood up New Data Center: Data Center Services completed the Stennis Space Center Data Center Construction Phase I, 24,000 square feet, on time and the first application has been transferred to this data center.

The FY 2008 budget request includes funding to build on the accomplishments made in this area.

We will strengthen and unify DHS operations and management by joining DHS headquarters' facilities at a single campus, beginning in 2010. We will unify IT infrastructures by reducing 17 data centers to two, seven networks to one, and through a common email operation. We will meet HSPD-12 goals by providing all newly-hired DHS employees with a single, secure, tamper-proof smartcard that allows interoperable access to DHS facilities and systems. We will integrate our hiring, retention, training and development, and performance programs by the end of 2008. Other specific examples of items included in the FY 2008 budget include:

• An increase of $139 million in premium processing fees will transform and improve USCIS Business processes and out-dated information technology systems. This investment will improve customer service and processing times of immigration applications, increase security and fraud detection, and support automation of USCIS operations by eliminating the current paper-based processes and antiquated technology.
• An increase of $120 million is requested for the DHS Consolidated Headquarters Project for the relocation of the USCG Headquarters and the consolidation of other DHS components on the St. Elizabeths West Campus and throughout the National Capital Region.
• A total of $99.1 million will continue to support the Inspector General activities to serve as an independent and objective inspection, audit, and investigative body to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in DHS programs and operations.
• A total of $17 million in new funding within ICE and CBP will help improve the internal oversight of personnel. This is especially critical as the workforces of these organizations are continuing to expand. Timely attention to allegations of misconduct is critical to DHS success.
• An increase of $9.6 million for the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer is requested to improve acquisition operations. The Department is committed to establishing the staffing necessary to properly award and administer Department-wide acquisition programs to ensure effective delivery of services and proper procurement and contracting procedures in compliance with all Federal Laws and Regulations Governing Procurements.
• An increase of $5 million is requested for the Policy Office to strengthen the Department's Committee on Foreign Owned Investments in the United States, work with states on the Real ID Act, and expand the duties of the International Affairs Office.
• An increase of funding is requested for the Office of Intelligence and Analysis to strengthen the Department's intelligence and information sharing capability and to continue integrating the intelligence offices and programs of the Department.