Overview
Title
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enable secure and trustworthy technology through other transaction contracting authority.
ELI5 AI
S. 4024 wants to give more time until 2031 for a special program to help the Department of Homeland Security make safe technology, but it doesn't say how much it will cost or if it will work well.
Summary AI
S. 4024 seeks to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance security and trust in technology through revised contracting methods. The bill proposes extending the Department of Homeland Security's ability to conduct research and development acquisition pilot programs from September 30, 2024, to September 30, 2031. This extension aims to support the development of secure and reliable technology for homeland security purposes.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The bill, titled the "Better Enabling Secure and Trustworthy Technology for the Homeland Act" or the "BEST Technology for the Homeland Act," seeks to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002. The primary purpose of this legislative proposal is to extend the duration of a research and development acquisition pilot program conducted under Section 831 of the Homeland Security Act from its original expiry date of September 30, 2024, to a new deadline of September 30, 2031. This extension aims to support secure and trustworthy technology development through the Department of Homeland Security's contracting authority.
Summary of Significant Issues
A key issue identified in the bill is the lack of detailed information regarding the extended pilot program. There is no specific explanation of the program's goals, operations, or the results achieved so far. This lack of detail makes it difficult to evaluate the necessity and impact of the proposed extension. Furthermore, the financial implications of continuing this program have not been outlined, raising questions about potential wasteful spending.
Additionally, the bill does not detail any criteria for measuring the program's success or effectiveness, nor does it discuss oversight mechanisms. Without these elements, there are concerns about accountability and transparency in the program’s operations. Lastly, the absence of discussion about alternative options or the reasons behind extending the program may raise questions about whether the extension is indeed the most prudent course of action.
Broad Public Impact
For the general public, this bill represents an effort to enhance national security through the adoption and development of reliable technology. However, the lack of concrete details about the pilot program could affect public trust and confidence in the program’s value and effectiveness. Additionally, without transparent oversight and clear evaluation standards, there is a risk that public funds could be misallocated or inefficiently used, potentially affecting other areas of public interest and policy.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
The extension of this pilot program could positively influence technology developers and contractors who might benefit from increased opportunities to partner with the Department of Homeland Security. For these stakeholders, the program’s extension signifies ongoing federal interest and investment in secure technology development.
On the other hand, stakeholders concerned with fiscal responsibility and government transparency may view the bill's lack of details and oversight as problematic. These groups might argue for greater scrutiny and accountability to ensure that the pilot program achieves its intended goals without unnecessary expenditure.
In conclusion, while the BEST Technology for the Homeland Act sets out to secure and advance technology essential for national security, the bill's shortcomings in transparency and evaluation criteria introduce potential concerns about its efficacy and financial soundness.
Issues
The extension of the 'Research and development acquisition pilot program' to 2031 lacks specific details and budget implications, making it difficult to assess the potential for wasteful spending or the financial impact, as noted in Section 2.
The criteria for evaluating the success or effectiveness of the pilot program are not specified, nor are there any mechanisms for oversight, raising concerns about accountability and transparency, as highlighted in Section 2.
The text does not provide context about the pilot program's objectives, achievements, or stakeholders, limiting understanding of the program's necessity and potentially affecting public perception of its value, as indicated in Section 2.
There is an absence of discussion on alternative options considered instead of extending the pilot program, leading to questions about whether the extension is the most efficient or effective course of action, as pointed out in Section 2.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section provides the official short title for the legislation, which can be referred to as the “Better Enabling Secure and Trustworthy Technology for the Homeland Act” or simply the “BEST Technology for the Homeland Act.”
2. Research and development acquisition pilot program extension Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The text extends the expiration date of a research and development acquisition pilot program under the Homeland Security Act of 2002 from September 30, 2024, to September 30, 2031.