DHS Biodetection Improvement Act
The DHS Biodetection Improvement Act would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to evaluate how it currently uses Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories and sites for biodetection research and development, and to create a strategy for coordinating ongoing biodetection work with DOE laboratories. The strategy must identify technologies to meet DHS biodetection needs, outline an acquisition plan to deploy suitable technologies to BioWatch jurisdictions, mandate periodic external evaluations to spot gaps and contingency needs, and promote collaboration with federal, state, local, and tribal governments, colleges, and private sector partners to define future program requirements. DHS must report back to Congress with an updated assessment and strategy within one year, including any challenges to implementation.
Key Points
- 1DHS must assess how it has used DOE national laboratories and sites for biodetection R&D, per Homeland Security Act authority.
- 2Within 180 days, DHS must submit a strategy on coordinating biodetection R&D with DOE national laboratories to address DHS missions, informed by relevant studies (e.g., National Re-Assessment of the BioWatch Network).
- 3The strategy must include an acquisition and procurement plan to provide biodetection technologies to existing BioWatch jurisdictions, in compliance with federal law and DHS procurement rules.
- 4The strategy must incorporate periodic external evaluations to identify gaps, potential failure points, and contingency plans if technologies underperform.
- 5The bill calls for collaboration with government partners, colleges and universities, and the private sector to define program and technical requirements for future environmental biodetection programs and any related transformational R&D efforts.