PRIA Logo™
118-hr-4467118th Congress

DHS Border Services Contracts Review Act

Sponsored By: Representative Brecheen, Josh [R-OK-2]

Became Law

Summary

Requires a targeted review of large DHS contracts for services along the U.S.–Mexico land border to find efficiencies and improve oversight. The Under Secretary for Management must report findings and lay out a plan to coordinate and reduce overlap among covered contracts.

Show full summary
  • DHS management and staff will produce a report within 180 days that lists active contracts awarded on or before Sept. 30, 2023 or enactment, explains why contractor personnel were necessary, and assesses whether contractor work is more efficient or effective than DHS employees.
  • Congressional oversight bodies receive the report and an implementation plan, with briefings every 180 days until the plan is fully implemented to monitor progress.
  • Contractors holding large agreements face scrutiny if contracts meet the $50 million threshold in 2023 dollars and may see recommendations for department-wide contract vehicles to boost cost-effectiveness.
  • Border operations will be evaluated for how contractor personnel affect DHS employees’ ability to focus on primary duties, including counts of DHS staff not diverted from mission tasks.

*This law does not authorize new appropriations and must be carried out using existing funds.*

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Homeland Security review of border contracts

The law requires the DHS Under Secretary for Management to report to Congress within 180 days of enactment. The report covers active contracts for covered services awarded on or before September 30, 2023, or the enactment date, whichever is later. It must explain why contractors are needed, where and how many are used, and impacts on DHS staff. It must assess if contractors are more efficient than DHS employees and if department-wide contracts save money. It must include a five-year strategy to get best value and avoid service gaps. An implementation plan must accompany the report to improve coordination and cut overlap and costs. DHS must brief the House Homeland Security Committee and the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee within 180 days after submission, and every 180 days until the plan is fully carried out. No new funds are authorized; DHS uses existing funds.

Which border contracts are covered

The law defines which DHS border contracts fall under these rules. A covered contract is any DHS contract for services at the U.S.–Mexico land border worth $50,000,000 or more in 2023 dollars, including options. Covered services include any contractor service used by DHS at that border, including border security. These definitions apply now and decide which contracts face the reporting and planning oversight.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Brecheen, Josh [R-OK-2]

OK • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Green, Mark E. [R-TN-7]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 7/6/2023

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation