Dept. of Homeland Security Expresses Need For IT Contractors

A fresh face at the helm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) isn't the only change VARs should expect, said Charles Armstrong, CIO of Border and Transportation Security, at a keynote Tuesday. The budget increase of 7 percent requested by President Bush -- $41.1 billion -- will fund a significant restructuring initiative that requires major rallying of the private sector.

Only one week after former DHS CIO Steve Cooper submitted his resignation, Armstrong spoke about the department's future at the Federal Outlook Conference hosted by Federal Sources (FSI), a government IT market intelligence firm.

"[DHS] is making investments based upon risk," he said, the balancing of presumed risk and vulnerability with need. "Behind all of the programs are IT elements. I ask that you, the contractors, keep our principles in mind. That's what will determine how we structure things."

Investments will focus on the continued charge to consolidate the IT infrastructures of 22 separate agencies. Specifically, DHS plans to establish a Domestic Nuclear Detection Office and Targeted Infrastructure Protection grant program; major investments in integration will pull screening activities under one office and consolidate IT facilities and operations into regional centers. Major efforts will also be put toward securing borders and strengthening law enforcement and first response.

"The scope of this initiative is immense," Armstrong said. "It's not typical technology; it's applied technology. DHS will be relying heavily on contractors to help provide the products and services we'll need," for information analysis and sharing, data center operations, data storage and availability, and connectivity.

When asked about the significance of Cooper's departure, Armstrong stressed re-evaluation and assessment.

"Steve has delivered great service through his tenure. More significant than his departure will be how the secretary and deputy secretary figure out how the structure will change and how the IT will follow those changes," he said. "The [focus] set by Steve will continue, while we drive down cost, improve efficiency and increase integration."