Under Secretary Cohen's Testimony - FY 2008 Budget Overview

Science and Technology Directorate's budget request of $799.1 million includes $142.6 million for Management and Administration (M&A) and $656.5 million for research, development, testing and evaluation.  M&A funds federal employees' salaries, benefits, travel, and other expenses at Headquarters and the S&T laboratories.  This staff maintains oversight of S&T's extensive day-to-day technical and administrative operations.  M&A also funds business operations, including working capital fund, and management support.  Research, Development, Acquisition and Operations supports the needs of the operational components of the Department and is categorized to match the new S&T organization.

• The $25.9 million requested for Borders and Maritime Security will support technology development for the Secure Border Initiative (SBI), a comprehensive multi-year plan to secure America's borders.  This Division is providing the tools, processes, and manpower to ensure SBI implementation is effective and affordable.  We are working directly with the SBI program executive office to provide a transformation strategy for SBI; develop the next generation of modeling and analysis tools for strategic planning; and provide systems engineering support.  The Division will also develop and transition technologies to industry to reduce risk and support border security programs like SBInet, a technology acquisition program under the Customs and Border Protection SBInet Program Management Office. 

We are also developing technologies to ensure the integrity of cargo shipments with known origins, and to better target suspicious shipments, and to enhance the end-to-end security of the supply chain — from the manufacturer of goods to final delivery.  One of the most significant potential terrorist threats to the Nation is the vast numbers of shipping containers that flow through our borders each year, most of which enter without physical inspection.  Technologies and processes developed within this area will assure government customs and shippers of the integrity of shipping containers and its cargo and communicate the container's status as well as security information.  By employing a system-of-systems approach, this will deliver technological capabilities to DHS customers and end users that address supply chain vulnerabilities.  These capabilities are directed toward enhanced physical security and information management, and bound by a security architecture which encompasses the world's supply chain.

• The $228.9 million requested for Chemical and Biological will provide the basic knowledge, technologies and systems needed to protect against possible chemical and biological attacks on the Nation's population, agriculture or infrastructure.  The greatest emphasis is on those biological attacks that have the greatest potential for widespread catastrophic damage to the population.  These include — but are not limited to — aerosolized anthrax, and smallpox. 

The Division conducts material threat and risk assessments on both naturally occurring and engineered agents; conducts experiments to close major scientific knowledge gaps that could have a large impact on how the Nation responds to a biological attack; and provides scientific support to the intelligence community.  As such, the primary output is an intelligence-informed, scientific characterization and prioritization of the bio-terrorist risks to be used by the Homeland Security Council and partnering agencies (e.g. DHHS, EPA, USDA, and the Intelligence Community).

Based on this knowledge, we are developing effective measures for deterrence, detection, and mitigation of biological terrorism acts against the U.S. population, infrastructure, and agricultural system.  This includes developing tools to meet Federal, State, and, local emergency responder needs such as operational models to support Interagency Modeling and Atmospheric Assessment Center (IMAAC).

The Division is developing next-generation, biological-threat-agent detectors that recognize the signatures or fingerprints of biological agents.  These detectors will be incorporated into the BioWatch system to substantially increase the system's capabilities and significantly reduce the response time.  Other significant program activities include developing biological aerosol detection and sensor systems for monitoring the Nation's critical infrastructure such as government buildings, airports, subways, office buildings, shopping malls, sports arenas, hotels and hospitals.  These "detect-to-protect" systems detect biological agents within minutes (acting as reliable ‘smoke alarms') to protect high value facilities and their occupants.  Many of the technologies being developed in this program will be manufactured and used by the private sector.

Chemical countermeasures work enhances the Nation's capability to anticipate, prevent, protect from, respond to and recover from chemical terrorist attacks.  The chemical threat spectrum comprises a broad array of chemicals, to include chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals, and non-traditional agents (NTAs).  NTAs include highly toxic materials that have seen development interest by foreign entities but are not yet fully developed as weapons.  The barrier to proliferation of critical NTA information into rogue states and terrorists is increasingly thin.  Existing and emerging chemical warfare agents can potentially be used against virtually any civilian target resulting in significant loss of life and impedance in the use of key infrastructure.  Chemical countermeasures addresses these threats by: enabling comprehensive understanding and analyses of chemical threats; developing pre-event assessment, discovery, and interdiction for chemical threats; developing warning, notification, and timely analysis of chemical attacks; optimizing technology and process for recovery from chemical attacks; and enhancing the capability to identify a chemical attack's source.

• The $63.6 million requested for Command, Control and Interoperability will fund programs focused on cyber security; communications, compatibility and interoperability; and knowledge management.

Cyber security research, development, testing and evaluation is focused on improving the security of the existing cyber infrastructure and providing a foundation for a more secure infrastructure through coordinated efforts with other Government agencies and private industry. Cyber attacks on U.S. information networks can have serious consequences such as disrupting critical operations, causing loss of revenue and intellectual property, or loss of life.  The Division also addresses cyber security requirements from internal Department customers in support of the DHS's operational missions in critical infrastructure protection.  It also addresses related aspects of national security and emergency preparedness telecommunications.

Communications, interoperability and compatibility programs within Command, Control and Interoperability strengthen interoperable wireless communications, improve effective information sharing, and develop tools to enhance overall coordination and planning at all levels of government.  Currently, the Nation's capacity for interoperable communications is hindered by suboptimized planning and coordination, and Office for Interoperability and Compatibility, and Integrated Federal, State and local information sharing are working to strengthen and integrate interoperability and compatibility.

We are also developing knowledge management tools to reduce the risk of terrorist attacks and to prepare for and respond to natural and man-made disasters.  This will provide new capabilities for the DHS Intelligence & Analysis Directorate and the DHS information enterprise for the integration, management, analysis, and dissemination of actionable information.  This knowledge management research provides tools and methods to handle massive amounts of information that is widely dispersed in a great variety of forms.  Being able to find such information, understand its meaning, and then use it to assess an actual threat and determine the level of risk before an attack or incident occurs is the best way to save lives and preserve our way of life.

• The $63.7 million requested for Explosives will fund programs focused on the detection, mitigation, and response to explosives threats such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and suicide bombers.  The Division employs a broad range of existing and emerging approaches to detect and lessen the impact of explosive materials.  These include baggage-screening devices as well as the capability to identify explosives residue.  Terrorist events like the Madrid rail bombing, the London Underground attack, and the recent disclosure of planned attacks on U.S.-bound flights from the United Kingdom, all involved explosive threats.  Those events underscore the operational need for a unified approach to the detection of, response to, and mitigation of explosive threats across all modes of transportation.

In explosives detection, we are improving existing explosive detection methods, developing new technologies, and integrating improvements and technological developments into both deployed and new systems.  Detection is a key defense against successful attacks.  For example, the Check Point Program applies to multiple venues where real or virtual portals exist.  Historically, airports have received the most attention, but similar portal situations can be found at rail stations and cruise ship terminals.  Check point programs address suicide bombers, carry-ons, leave-behind IEDs, and vehicle-borne IEDs.  The two other principal programs in this area are checked baggage and cargo.  Like aviation, rail and ship modes share checked baggage and cargo screening challenges.

The check point program addresses the risk of catastrophic loss of mass transit resulting from small IEDs detonated in passenger cabins and the catastrophic loss or hostile takeover of mass transit resulting from the presence of certain weapons in passenger cabins.  The principal objective of the program is developing advanced technology for integration with future check point systems to detect explosives and concealed weapons, while meeting requirements for automation, efficiency, and cost reduction.  Longer-term objectives include applying systems integration and a seamless flow of information with reduced impact to the checkpoint operations environment.  The program also strives to upgrade currently deployed technologies to address emerging threats and concealment methods.

The checked baggage program identifies and develops the next generation of checked baggage screening systems, and supports continuous improvements toward the Congressionally directed goal of 100-percent screening of aviation checked baggage by electronic or other approved means with minimum or no impact to the flow of people or commerce.  Checked baggage will focus on continuing work with Manhattan II by conducting system development and integration of the Manhattan-II checked baggage program, complete the preliminary system architecture test and evaluation, and conduct detection-technology test and evaluation.

The cargo program is developing the next generation of air cargo screening systems, with transition targeted for FY 2011.

• The $12.6 million requested for Human Factors will apply the social and behavioral sciences to improve detection, analysis, and the understanding of threats posed by individuals, groups, and radical movements.  This knowledge will support the preparedness, response and recovery of communities impacted by catastrophic events and to advance national security by integrating human factors into homeland security technologies.  Further this will enhance the capability to control movement of individuals into and out of the United States and its critical assets through accurate, timely, and easy-to-use biometric identification and credentialing validation tools.
• The $24.0 million requested for Infrastructure and Geophysical will develop technical solutions and reach-back capabilities to improve State, local, tribal, and private sector preparedness for and response to all hazardous events impacting the population and critical infrastructure.

The Division's focus is on identifying and mitigating the vulnerabilities of the 17 critical infrastructure sectors and key assets that keep our society and economy functional. The Division models and simulates the Nation's critical infrastructures to determine how various scenarios will affect each sector, provides decision support tools to guide decision makers in identifying gaps and vulnerabilities, and develops predictive tools and methods to aid in preparing for and responding to various catastrophes.  Additionally, the Division focuses on responder preparedness and response capabilities that improve the ability of the Nation to prepare for, respond to, and recover from all-hazards emergencies. Applying the best available science and technology for the safety and security our emergency responders and homeland security professionals ensures they may effectively perform their jobs — saving lives and restoring critical services.

The Division is also developing a capability that will enable owners and operators of the most vital critical infrastructure sites to implement affordable and reliable blast and projectile mitigation measures improving capabilities to withstand these threats.  The program is developing suites of advanced materials, design procedures, and innovative construction methods that can be used to protect critical infrastructure and key resources.

In addition, the Division is developing decision-making and information-sharing tools to aid responders.  This will dramatically enhance the information management and information sharing capabilities of incident commanders and emergency responders as emergencies increasingly demand more highly coordinated responses.

• The $73 million requested for Innovation/HSARPA, 59.9 million of which will focus on homeland security research and development (R&D) that poses a risk of failure, but if successful would lead to significant technology breakthroughs that would greatly enhance DHS operations; the remainder includes the SBIR program.  HSARPA carries out its activities in two areas: (1) Homeland Innovative Prototypical Solutions, which are designed to deliver prototype-level demonstrations of game-changing technologies in two to five years.  These programs are moderate risk, but offer high pay-off and (2) High Impact Technology Solutions, which are designed to provide proof-of-concept answers that could result in high-payoff technology breakthroughs.  Though there is a considerable risk of failure, these projects offer the potential for significant gains resulting from success.
• The $88.8 million requested for Laboratory Facilities will fund operation of the S&T laboratory facilities, including Plum Island, the Transportation Security Lab, Environmental Measurements Laboratory, the Chemical Security Analysis Center, and the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center. Laboratory Facilities also funds design work on the National Bio and Agrodefense Facility and upgrade of the Plum Island facility.
• The $25.5 million requested for Test & Evaluation and Standards funds two areas Test and Evaluation (T&E) and Standards. T&E works across DHS and ensures that systems meet the capability needs of users, validates performance and provides measurable improvement to operational capabilities. Effective testing and evaluation programs provide crucial information to decision makers for acquisition and deployment of technology. Standards are consensus based measures — from basic specifications to performance criteria — that give DHS and its customers confidence that technology and systems will perform as required. The S&T Directorate works across DHS and with numerous external partners to build consensus and support development of needed standards.
• The $24.7 million requested for Transition programs will expedite technology transition to deliver near-term products and technologies to meet DHS component requirements.  This area also funds the Office of the SAFETY Act Implementation, transition support programs such as the Technology Clearinghouse, and the S&T Directorate's international and interagency programs.
• The $38.7 million requested for University Programs will allow the S&T Directorate to engage the academic community to support current DHS priorities and enhance homeland security capabilities by providing ground-breaking research, analyses and educational approaches.  The program is designed to bring together the best scientific talent and resources from U.S. academic institutions to help solve complex and technologically challenging homeland security problems facing our Nation.  Program activities simultaneously focus on building homeland security expertise in the academic community, creating strategic partnerships, and fostering a new generation of homeland security experts.

The program works to:

• Strengthen U.S. scientific leadership in homeland security research;
• Generate and disseminate knowledge and technical advances to aid homeland security frontline professionals;
• Foster a homeland security culture within the academic community through research and education programs; and
• Build a highly-trained science and engineering workforce dedicated to homeland security that will sustain progress over time.

This program invests in two areas: the university-based Centers of Excellence, and student Scholarships and Fellowships intended to build and develop the next generation of academic researchers in disciplines that are relevant and essential to homeland security.