Title 6, Domestic SecurityRelease 119-110
§341 Under Secretary for Management
Title 6 › CHAPTER 1 — HOMELAND SECURITY ORGANIZATION › SUBCHAPTER VII — MANAGEMENT › § 341
Summary
Makes the Under Secretary for Management the Department’s Chief Management Officer and the main advisor to the Secretary on how the Department is run. The Under Secretary must manage the Department’s budget and spending, buying and contracts, hiring and personnel, information technology and communications (including interoperable communications), buildings and equipment, security, strategic and performance planning, grants, and efforts to combine and improve management across areas like finance, acquisition, IT, and human resources. They must create centralized data and standard automated reports, set up program oversight and audits, prepare a transition and succession plan before December 1 of any year a Presidential election is held and give it to the next leaders and congressional homeland security committees, report to the Government Accountability Office every six months until DHS is removed from GAO’s high‑risk list, and do other management duties the Secretary assigns. If the Chief Procurement Officer or Chief Financial Officer waives the rule against doing business with suspended or debarred parties, the Under Secretary must notify the congressional homeland security committees and the Department’s Inspector General within five days and explain the reason. The Under Secretary must also oversee all Department vehicle fleets. They must enforce laws and policies, make a standard method and plan to find the right fleet size, approve component fleet plans and vehicle purchases or leases, collect quarterly fleet data and work toward automated use data, and review annual funding requests. Component heads must use the standard tool and submit vehicle allocation tools and fleet plans each year starting in fiscal year 2018, and may not lease or buy vehicles without prior approval except in emergencies (with an explanation). The Under Secretary can recommend funding rescissions if components do not work toward optimal fleet size. Beginning in fiscal year 2019, vehicle requests cannot be approved, and some officials can lose performance pay or car service access, if they failed to comply the prior year. The Under Secretary may study a shared motor pool for regions (including the National Capital Region) and must report the results in the Department’s annual performance report. Appointment and review: the Under Secretary is chosen by the President with Senate approval, must have top executive management experience and proven results, must sign an annual performance agreement with the Secretary, and must receive an annual performance evaluation. All contracting and grant officials must check the System for Award Management before awarding funds to see if a party is excluded. Definitions: component head = head of a component with a fleet; excess vehicle = a vehicle not needed for mission work; optimal fleet size = the right number of vehicles for a component’s mission; vehicle fleet = all owned or leased Department vehicles. Interoperable communications is defined elsewhere in the law.
Full Legal Text
Title 6, §341
Domestic Security, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)In general
The Under Secretary for Management shall serve as the Chief Management Officer and principal advisor to the Secretary on matters related to the management of the Department, including management integration and transformation in support of homeland security operations and programs. The Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Management, shall be responsible for the management and administration of the Department, including the following:
(1)The budget, appropriations, expenditures of funds, accounting, and finance.
(2)Procurement.
(3)Human resources and personnel.
(4)Information technology and communications systems, including policies and directives to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among the components of the Department.
(5)Facilities, property, equipment, vehicle fleets (under subsection (c)), and other material resources.
(6)Security for personnel, information technology and communications systems, facilities, property, equipment, and other material resources.
(7)Strategic management planning and annual performance planning and identification and tracking of performance measures relating to the responsibilities of the Department.
(8)Grants and other assistance management programs.
(9)The management integration and transformation within each functional management discipline of the Department, including information technology, financial management, acquisition management, and human capital management, to ensure an efficient and orderly consolidation of functions and personnel in the Department, including—
(A)the development of centralized data sources and connectivity of information systems to the greatest extent practicable to enhance program visibility, transparency, and operational effectiveness and coordination;
(B)the development of standardized and automated management information to manage and oversee programs and make informed decisions to improve the efficiency of the Department;
(C)the development of effective program management and regular oversight mechanisms, including clear roles and processes for program governance, sharing of best practices, and access to timely, reliable, and evaluated data on all acquisitions and investments; and
(D)the overall supervision, including the conduct of internal audits and management analyses, of the programs and activities of the Department, including establishment of oversight procedures to ensure a full and effective review of the efforts by components of the Department to implement policies and procedures of the Department for management integration and transformation.
(10)The development of a transition and succession plan, before December 1 of each year in which a Presidential election is held, to guide the transition of Department functions to a new Presidential administration, and making such plan available to the next Secretary and Under Secretary for Management and to the congressional homeland security committees.
(11)Reporting to the Government Accountability Office every six months to demonstrate measurable, sustainable progress made in implementing the corrective action plans of the Department to address the designation of the management functions of the Department on the bi-annual high risk list of the Government Accountability Office, until the Comptroller General of the United States submits to the appropriate congressional committees written notification of removal of the high-risk designation.
(12)The conduct of internal audits and management analyses of the programs and activities of the Department.
(13)Any other management duties that the Secretary may designate.
(b)Waivers for conducting business with suspended or debarred contractors
Not later than five days after the date on which the Chief Procurement Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Department issues a waiver of the requirement that an agency not engage in business with a contractor or other recipient of funds listed as a party suspended or debarred from receiving contracts, grants, or other types of Federal assistance in the System for Award Management maintained by the General Services Administration, or any successor thereto, the Under Secretary for Management shall submit to the congressional homeland security committees and the Inspector General of the Department notice of the waiver and an explanation of the finding by the Under Secretary that a compelling reason exists for the waiver.
(c)Vehicle fleets
(1)In general
In carrying out responsibilities regarding vehicle fleets pursuant to subsection (a)(5), the Under Secretary for Management shall be responsible for overseeing and managing vehicle fleets throughout the Department. The Under Secretary shall also be responsible for the following:
(A)Ensuring that components are in compliance with Federal law, Federal regulations, executive branch guidance, and Department policy (including associated guidance) relating to fleet management and use of vehicles from home to work.
(B)Developing and distributing a standardized vehicle allocation methodology and fleet management plan for components to use to determine optimal fleet size in accordance with paragraph (4).
(C)Ensuring that components formally document fleet management decisions.
(D)Approving component fleet management plans, vehicle leases, and vehicle acquisitions.
(2)Component responsibilities
(A)In general
Component heads—
(i)shall—
(I)comply with Federal law, Federal regulations, executive branch guidance, and Department policy (including associated guidance) relating to fleet management and use of vehicles from home to work;
(II)ensure that data related to fleet management is accurate and reliable;
(III)use such data to develop a vehicle allocation tool derived by using the standardized vehicle allocation methodology provided by the Under Secretary for Management to determine the optimal fleet size for the next fiscal year and a fleet management plan; and
(IV)use vehicle allocation methodologies and fleet management plans to develop annual requests for funding to support vehicle fleets pursuant to paragraph (6); and
(ii)may not, except as provided in subparagraph (B), lease or acquire new vehicles or replace existing vehicles without prior approval from the Under Secretary for Management pursuant to paragraph (5)(B).
(B)Exception regarding certain leasing and acquisitions
If exigent circumstances warrant such, a component head may lease or acquire a new vehicle or replace an existing vehicle without prior approval from the Under Secretary for Management. If under such exigent circumstances a component head so leases, acquires, or replaces a vehicle, such component head shall provide to the Under Secretary an explanation of such circumstances.
(3)Ongoing oversight
(A)Quarterly monitoring
In accordance with paragraph (4), the Under Secretary for Management shall collect, on a quarterly basis, information regarding component vehicle fleets, including information on fleet size, composition, cost, and vehicle utilization.
(B)Automated information
The Under Secretary for Management shall seek to achieve a capability to collect, on a quarterly basis, automated information regarding component vehicle fleets, including the number of trips, miles driven, hours and days used, and the associated costs of such mileage for leased vehicles.
(C)Monitoring
The Under Secretary for Management shall track and monitor component information provided pursuant to subparagraph (A) and, as appropriate, subparagraph (B), to ensure that component vehicle fleets are the optimal fleet size and cost effective. The Under Secretary shall use such information to inform the annual component fleet analyses referred to in paragraph (4).
(4)Annual review of component fleet analyses
(A)In general
To determine the optimal fleet size and associated resources needed for each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2018, component heads shall annually submit to the Under Secretary for Management a vehicle allocation tool and fleet management plan using information described in paragraph (3)(A). Such tools and plans may be submitted in classified form if a component head determines that such is necessary to protect operations or mission requirements.
(B)Vehicle allocation tool
Component heads shall develop a vehicle allocation tool in accordance with subclause (III) of paragraph (2)(A)(i) that includes an analysis of the following:
(i)Vehicle utilization data, including the number of trips, miles driven, hours and days used, and the associated costs of such mileage for leased vehicles, in accordance with such paragraph.
(ii)The role of vehicle fleets in supporting mission requirements for each component.
(iii)Any other information determined relevant by such component heads.
(C)Fleet management plans
Component heads shall use information described in subparagraph (B) to develop a fleet management plan for each such component. Such fleet management plans shall include the following:
(i)A plan for how each such component may achieve optimal fleet size determined by the vehicle allocation tool required under such subparagraph, including the elimination of excess vehicles in accordance with paragraph (5), if applicable.
(ii)A cost benefit analysis supporting such plan.
(iii)A schedule each such component will follow to obtain optimal fleet size.
(iv)Any other information determined relevant by component heads.
(D)Review
The Under Secretary for Management shall review and make a determination on the results of each component’s vehicle allocation tool and fleet management plan under this paragraph to ensure each such component’s vehicle fleets are the optimal fleet size and that components are in compliance with applicable Federal law, Federal regulations, executive branch guidance, and Department policy (including associated guidance) pursuant to paragraph (2) relating to fleet management and use of vehicles from home to work. The Under Secretary shall use such tools and plans when reviewing annual component requests for vehicle fleet funding in accordance with paragraph (6).
(5)Guidance to develop fleet management plans
The Under Secretary for Management shall provide guidance, pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) on how component heads may achieve optimal fleet size in accordance with paragraph (4), including processes for the following:
(A)Leasing or acquiring additional vehicles or replacing existing vehicles, if determined necessary.
(B)Disposing of excess vehicles that the Under Secretary determines should not be reallocated under subparagraph (C).
(C)Reallocating excess vehicles to other components that may need temporary or long-term use of additional vehicles.
(6)Annual review of vehicle fleet funding requests
As part of the annual budget process, the Under Secretary for Management shall review and make determinations regarding annual component requests for funding for vehicle fleets. If component heads have not taken steps in furtherance of achieving optimal fleet size in the prior fiscal year pursuant to paragraphs (4) and (5), the Under Secretary shall provide rescission recommendations to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate regarding such component vehicle fleets.
(7)Accountability for vehicle fleet management
(A)Prohibition on certain new vehicle leases and acquisitions
The Under Secretary for Management and component heads may not approve in any fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2019 a vehicle lease, acquisition, or replacement request if such component heads did not comply in the prior fiscal year with paragraph (4).
(B)Prohibition on certain performance compensation
No Department official with vehicle fleet management responsibilities may receive annual performance compensation in pay in any fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2019 if such official did not comply in the prior fiscal year with paragraph (4).
(C)Prohibition on certain car services
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no senior executive service official of the Department whose office has a vehicle fleet may receive access to a car service in any fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2019 if such official did not comply in the prior fiscal year with paragraph (4).
(8)Motor pool
(A)In general
The Under Secretary for Management may determine the feasibility of operating a vehicle motor pool to permit components to share vehicles as necessary to support mission requirements to reduce the number of excess vehicles in the Department.
(B)Requirements
The determination of feasibility of operating a vehicle motor pool under subparagraph (A) shall—
(i)include—
(I)regions in the United States in which multiple components with vehicle fleets are located in proximity to one another, or a significant number of employees with authorization to use vehicles are located; and
(II)law enforcement vehicles;
(ii)cover the National Capital Region; and
(iii)take into account different mission requirements.
(C)Report
The Secretary shall include in the Department’s next annual performance report required under current law the results of the determination under this paragraph.
(9)Definitions
In this subsection: (A) Component head
(B)Excess vehicle
The term “excess vehicle” means any vehicle that is not essential to support mission requirements of a component.
(C)Optimal fleet size
The term “optimal fleet size” means, with respect to a particular component, the appropriate number of vehicles to support mission requirements of such component.
(D)Vehicle fleet
The term “vehicle fleet” means all owned, commercially leased, or Government-leased vehicles of the Department or of a component of the Department, as the case may be, including vehicles used for law enforcement and other purposes.
(d)Appointment and evaluation
The Under Secretary for Management shall—
(1)be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, from among persons who have—
(A)extensive executive level leadership and management experience in the public or private sector;
(B)strong leadership skills;
(C)a demonstrated ability to manage large and complex organizations; and
(D)a proven record in achieving positive operational results;
(2)enter into an annual performance agreement with the Secretary that shall set forth measurable individual and organizational goals; and
(3)be subject to an annual performance evaluation by the Secretary, who shall determine as part of each such evaluation whether the Under Secretary for Management has made satisfactory progress toward achieving the goals set out in the performance agreement required under paragraph (2).
(e)System for Award Management consultation
The Under Secretary for Management shall require that all Department contracting and grant officials consult the System for Award Management (or successor system) as maintained by the General Services Administration prior to awarding a contract or grant or entering into other transactions to ascertain whether the selected contractor is excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain types of Federal financial and non-financial assistance and benefits.
(e)1 Interoperable communications defined
In this section, the term “interoperable communications” has the meaning given that term in section 194(g) of this title.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2017—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 115–38, § 2(1), inserted “vehicle fleets (under subsection (c)),” after “equipment,”. Subsecs. (c) to (e). Pub. L. 115–38, § 2(2), (3), added subsec. (c), redesignated former subsec. (c) as (d), and redesignated former subsec. (d), relating to System for Award Management consultation, as (e). 2016—Subsec. (a)(9) to (13). Pub. L. 114–328, § 1903(b)(1), added pars. (9) to (11), redesignated former pars. (10) and (11) as (12) and (13), respectively, and struck out former par. (9). Prior to amendment, text of par. (9) read as follows: “The management integration and transformation process, as well as the transition process, to ensure an efficient and orderly consolidation of functions and personnel in the Department and transition, including— “(A) the development of a management integration strategy for the Department, and “(B) before December 1 of any year in which a Presidential election is held, the development of a transition and succession plan, to be made available to the incoming Secretary and Under Secretary for Management, to guide the transition of management functions to a new Administration.” Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 114–328, § 1903(b)(2), added subsec. (b) and struck out former subsec. (b) which related to maintenance of immigration statistics by the Under Secretary for Management and transfer of certain functions of the Statistics Branch of the Office of Policy and Planning of the Immigration and Naturalization Service to the Under Secretary for Management. Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 114–328, § 1903(b)(3), (4), added subsec. (d) and redesignated former subsec. (d), defining interoperable communications, as (e). 2015—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 114–29, § 3(1), inserted before period at end “, including policies and directives to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among the components of the Department”. Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 114–29, § 3(2), added subsec. (d). 2007—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–53, § 2405(a)(1), inserted in introductory provisions “The Under Secretary for Management shall serve as the Chief Management Officer and principal advisor to the Secretary on matters related to the management of the Department, including management integration and transformation in support of homeland security operations and programs.” Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 110–53, § 2405(a)(2), added par. (7) and struck out former par. (7) which read as follows: “Identification and tracking of performance measures relating to the responsibilities of the Department.” Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 110–53, § 2405(a)(3), added par. (9) and struck out former par. (9) which read as follows: “The transition and reorganization process, to ensure an efficient and orderly
Transfer of Functions
and personnel to the Department, including the development of a transition plan.” Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 110–53, § 2405(b), added subsec. (c).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Deadline for Appointment; Incumbent Pub. L. 110–53, title XXIV, § 2405(c), Aug. 3, 2007, 121 Stat. 549, provided that: “(1) Deadline for appointment.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 3, 2007], the Secretary of Homeland Security shall name an individual who meets the qualifications of section 701 of the Homeland Security Act (6 U.S.C. 341), as amended by subsections (a) and (b), to serve as the Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Management. The Secretary may submit the name of the individual who serves in the position of Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Management on the date of enactment of this Act together with a statement that informs the Congress that the individual meets the qualifications of such section as so amended. “(2) Incumbent.—The incumbent serving as Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Management on November 4, 2008, is authorized to continue serving in that position until a successor is confirmed, to ensure continuity in the management functions of the Department.”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
6 U.S.C. § 341
Title 6, Domestic Security
Last Updated
Sep 23, 2026
Release point: 119-110