Bill Overview
Title: Department of Homeland Security Border Support Services Contracts Review Act
Description: This bill directs the Management Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to assess certain active contracts for services related to security along the land border with Mexico awarded in FY2021 or earlier. Specifically, this applies to any contract with a total value of $50 million or more, inclusive of contract options, relating to the procurement of services for DHS with respect to that border. The assessment must include a strategy to enhance coordination, minimize overlap, and increase cost-effectiveness among such contracts.
Sponsors: Rep. Cammack, Kat [R-FL-3]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals related to border security services between the US and Mexico
Estimated Size: 150000
- The bill targets services related to security along the land border with Mexico, which involves border control efforts.
- Security services and support along the border pertain significantly to immigration control, law enforcement agencies, and federal employees.
- Any changes in the security services contracts directly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of border control operations.
- The employees and contractors working on these security contracts, including those in the private sector, will be affected by changes in contracts.
- Additionally, the population residing in border areas and immigrants who cross or attempt to cross the border will be impacted.
- The bill aims at contracts valued over $50 million, indicating large-scale operations and significant workforce involvement.
Reasoning
- The primary group impacted by this policy will involve those directly connected to border security services, including contractors and employees of firms with large security service contracts with DHS.
- Border community residents may experience indirect effects due to changes in border security dynamics as influenced by contract modifications.
- DHS staff responsible for management and oversight of these contracts may experience changes in workflow and job responsibilities due to policy-driven assessments.
- Efficiency improvements and cost reductions may indirectly benefit taxpayers, though this influence might be low.
- Given the budget constraints, the initial focus is likely to be on assessing and strategizing rather than immediately implementing widespread changes, leading to modest initial impacts.
Simulated Interviews
Border Patrol Agent (San Diego, California)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope the review leads to better contract management, keeping our operations efficient.
- There's always a worry about job cuts, but effective budget use could help secure resources needed for our mission.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Project Manager, Private Security Firm (El Paso, Texas)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A thorough review might lead to more secure contracts, but there's a risk of restructuring to meet efficiency goals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Contractor, IT Services (Tucson, Arizona)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It could open more opportunities for us if they focus on tech efficiency, but it could also mean tougher competition.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Local Business Owner (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More efficient contracts could enhance community safety without added cost; I don't see immediate direct effects on my business.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Immigration Lawyer (Las Cruces, New Mexico)
Age: 27 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Changes in contract strategies might affect the border dynamics and my clients indirectly, but it's hard to forecast significant immediate impact.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Senior Policy Analyst, DHS (Houston, Texas)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Such reviews are necessary to ensure cost-effectiveness and optimize our operations.
- I'm interested in how this will streamline processes but fear it may increase my workload.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Social Worker (Brownsville, Texas)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Efficient contract management might reduce tensions at the border, which could help the families I help, but it's uncertain.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
College Professor, Political Science (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy's impact is more about methodical change rather than immediate effects, mainly affecting those employed directly through these contracts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Customs Officer (Nogales, Arizona)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reviews like this might bring more technology upgrades if managed well, which could ease some of our manual workload.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Lobbyist, Border Security Sector (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The review process could shake up the contract landscape, affecting my clients; changes in strategy may mean altered lobbying approaches.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 2: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 3: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The upfront assessment cost, while significant, aims to bring long-term cost efficiencies.
- Potential disruptions in ongoing projects could arise during reviews, causing temporary inefficiencies.
- Enhanced contract coordination can improve border security efficacy.