The Secretary's Award for Unity of Effort 2016

The Secretary’s Unity of Effort Award recognizes outstanding efforts in coordination, and unity of effort across the Department of Homeland Security by significantly improving efficiency and effectiveness. The award acknowledges group efforts within the Department or with external partners who assist in meeting our commitment of unity of effort.

This year's winners are listed below, along with a description of their contributions and achievements:

For exceptional collaboration to modernize and enhance Department-wide research and development to address Homeland Security missions.

S&T Integrated Product Team, S&T
Washington, DC

For developing and improving an Air Relocation Program to rapidly move the Secretary of Homeland Security and/or designated successors during threat and hazard emergencies.

Special Programs Section/Air Relocation Program
Washington, DC

Office of Operations Coordination
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
United States Coast Guard
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Management Directorate
National Protection and Programs Directorate

For protecting the Homeland through the development of a web-based passport validation tool to aid in the identification of fraudulent passports and passenger offloads.

Online Document Information Network
Washington, DC

Office of Intelligence and Analysis, CBP

For outstanding collaboration in the development of the Personnel Surety Program and full implementation of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program that provides for vetting against the Terrorist Screening Data of personnel and visitors to Chemical facilities.

Personnel Surety Program Implementation
Washington, DC

National Protection and Programs Directorate
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Transportation Security Administration
Office of Policy
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Management Directorate

For coordinating and executing a Department-wide cyber hiring event, which occurred on a very short timeline on July 27 - 28, 2016, resulting in over 370 Temporary Job Offers made during the hiring event and in subsequent weeks.

DHS Cyber Hiring Event Team
Washington, DC

Management Directorate
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Federal Emergency Management Agency
National Protection and Programs Directorate
United States Secret Service
United States Coast Guard
Transportation Security Administration

In recognition of extraordinary cooperation and collaboration that created a common and simplified budget structure to support seamless execution of Department and Component front line operations.

Common Appropriations Structure Leadership Team
Washington, DC

Management Directorate
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Domestic Nuclear Detection Office
Office of Intelligence and Analysis
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
United States Coast Guard
Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Federal Emergency Management Agency
United States Secret Service
Transportation Security Administration

In recognition of outstanding contribution to detention reform.

ICE Detention Reform Working Group
Washington, DC

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

For outstanding leadership in managing an interagency Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems effort to respond to increased threats from drones and gyrocopters incidents in the National Capital Region.

Non-traditional Aviation Technologies Whole-of-Community Team
Washington, DC

Science and Technology Directorate
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Office of Policy
Office of Intelligence and Analysis
Office of General Counsel
Inter-Governmental Affairs
Executive Secretariat
Federal Aviation Administration
Department of Defense
United States Park Police

In recognition of the informative bi-weekly engagements with the private sector about security, resulting in more diverse feedback to assist and inform in the development of future products and approaches.

Classified Intelligence Forum Team
Washington, DC

Office of Intelligence and Analysis
National Protection and Programs Directorate
Science and Technology Directorate

In recognition of the team’s extraordinary performance in a dynamic information environment.

Secretary’s Briefing Staff
Washington, DC

Office of Operations Coordination
U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement
Office of Intelligence and Analysis
National Protection and Programs Directorate

For outstanding leadership and collaboration in the development of strategies to extend American maritime borders to help prevent terrorists and weapons of mass destruction from entering the Homeland.

Vital Archer Marble Challenge Capstone
Washington, DC

United States Coast Guard

In recognition of outstanding collaboration to create and deploy an inclusive air domain awareness system that provides real time information of known or suspected terrorists attempting to travel, and other threats.

TSA/CBP Common Operating Picture Team
Washington, DC

Transportation Security Administration
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

For demonstrating superior innovative skills in piloting a new social media screening tool.

Vermont Avenue Team
Washington, DC

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Office of Intelligence and Analysis
Science and Technology Directorate