The White House recently published a press release in which the executive branch has outlined its agenda for reform at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In the release, the White House noted that Janet Napolitano, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, last month ordered an efficiency review of the entire Department. According to the White House, the review will ?make the Department work better by promoting efficiency, reducing duplication, and improving customer service in DHS functions.?
According to the release, examples of DHS efforts show that the agency can pinpoint inefficiencies and efficiencies in the way it functions, in order to function in a more cost-effective manner. A few of the aspects of DHS provided as examples in the press release include the following:
Building Design: Customs and Border Protections is currently working with the General Services Administration to standardize the design for port of entry buildings, so that there is a reduction in cost and an increase in the efficiency of operations and maintenance at these ports of entry.
Technological Enhancements: DHS has partnered with the Secret Service, along with private industry and educational organizations to digitize more than 9,000 ink samples in order to improve the effectiveness of criminal and terrorist investigations.
Contractors: DHS has identified that it uses more contractors than it needs and has commented that it intends to internalize much of the work it formerly outsourced to private industry.
