Our Annual “Quick Look” at Homeland Security’s Major Acquisitions
Posted on August 21, 2018
To help it carry out its many missions, which include preventing terrorism and managing U.S. borders, the Department of Homeland Security makes major purchases like ships, air passenger screening equipment, and IT.
In fact, DHS estimates it will invest more than $207.2 billion in its major acquisitions—its portfolio currently contains more than 70 such programs, which generally cost more than $300 million each.
We took a look at how these acquisition programs are performing in our recently issued fourth annual report on DHS acquisitions. Today’s WatchBlog explores.
More programs are off track
This year, we found that 10 of the 24 major acquisitions we reviewed were on track to meet their cost and schedule goals. Of the other 14 programs, 6 had delays, 2 had cost increases, and 6 others had both delays and cost increases. That means more than half the programs will need more time and money than initially planned, an increase from our last review.
Reasons for delays, increased cost, or changes in goals included
- requirements for what the acquisition needs to be able to do changed
- technical challenges
- increases in contractor support
- Questions on the content of this post? Contact Marie Mak at makm@gao.gov
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