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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 910: Non-Homeland Security Mission Performance Act of 2003
"S. 910 would require the Under Secretary of each entity within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that performs functions that are not specifically related to homeland security to report annually to the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Congress on the budget and performance of those functions. Such reports would be required during the five years following the transfer of each entity to DHS or following the establishment of an entity in the department that performs such functions. The director of the Secret Service would prepare those reports for that agency, and the Inspector General of DHS would prepare such reports for the Coast Guard. The bill would direct the General Accounting Office (GAO) to monitor, evaluate, and review the implementation of the legislation. CBO estimates that implementing S. 910 would cost less than $500,000 a year, subject to the availability of appropriated funds. The legislation would codify and expand the current practices of DHS regarding preparation of its budget and annual program performance reports. CBO does not expect that the requirements of the bill would lead to significant additional reporting costs. In addition, the legislation would require the GAO to annually review and report on the implementation of this bill and the performance of functions at DHS that are not specifically related to homeland security. Enactment of S. 910 would not affect direct spending or revenues. S. 910 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2003-06-24
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NIAID Biodefense Research Agenda for Category B and C Priority Pathogens
On October 22 and 23, 2002, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) convened a Blue Ribbon Panel on Biodefense and Its Implications for Biomedical Research. This panel of experts was brought together to provide objective expertise on the Institute's future biodefense research agenda, as it relates to the NIAID Category B and C Priority Pathogens (Appendix 1). This Blue Ribbon Panel was asked to provide NIAID with the following guidance: Assess the current research sponsored by NIAID related to the development of effective measures to counter the health consequences of bioterrorism with a focus on the Category B and C priority pathogens; Identify research goals for the highest priority areas; Provide recommendations on the role of NIAID in achieving these priorities; and Provide recommendations on the current NIAID Category B and C Priority Pathogens list. NOTE: Although the NIAID list of Category A, B and C Priority Pathogens (Appendix 1) closely follows the CDC list of Category A, B and C Biological Diseases/Agents (Appendix 2), the NIAID list highlights specific pathogens identified as priorities for additional research efforts as part of the NIAID biodefense research agenda.
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National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (U.S.)
2003-01
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Medical Chemical Defense Research: An Expert Panel Review Conducted by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
On behalf of the NIH, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) convened a special meeting of experts on March 19, 2003, in Bethesda, Maryland, to review ongoing research efforts in the development of medical countermeasures for chemical threats. The purpose of the meeting was to (1) provide NIAID with an overview of current medical research in chemical defense; (2) identify gaps in scientific knowledge critical to the development of medical products against chemical threats to protect the civilian population; and (3) explore ways in which NIAID/NIH could assist or support efforts in the area of medical research for chemical defense. The meeting included representatives of academia, the chemical industry, poison control centers, private and governmental research institutions, the Office of Homeland Security (The White House), the Society of Toxicology, the Department of Defense, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Central Intelligence Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Institute of Medicine. The results of this meeting will be used by the NIH Biodefense Research Coordinating Committee, as efforts across NIH are coordinated.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (U.S.)
2003-03-19
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Radiobiology Research: An Expert Panel Review Conducted by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
There are increased concerns regarding the potential of terrorists using biological, chemical, or radiological agents against the civilian population. In the past the Department of Defense maintained a research and development program which addressed these threats for military forces, including primary responsibility for countermeasures related to radiological threats. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is actively assessing relevant opportunities to exploit medical breakthroughs and focus its efforts on the development of new and effective countermeasures for all subsets of the U.S. population. On behalf of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) convened a special meeting of experts on February 26, 2003, in Bethesda, Maryland, to review ongoing research efforts in development of medical countermeasures to radiological threats. The purpose of the meeting was to: (1) provide NIAID with an overview of current radiobiology research; (2) identify gaps in research that are critical to the development of specific medical products to protect the civilian population from a radiological threat; and (3) explore ways in which the NIAID/NIH can collaborate in current radiological research efforts. With the assistance of organizations such as the National Cancer Institute, the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, and the Department of Energy, gaps were identified and short-term and mid-term research priorities were recommended. The results of this meeting will be used by the NIH Biodefense Research Coordinating Committee, as efforts across NIH are coordinated.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (U.S.)
2003-02-26
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Department of Health and Human Services: Health and Medical Services Support Plan for the Federal Response to Acts of Chemical/Biological (C/B) Terrorism
The purpose of this Chemical/Biological (C/B) Health and Medical Services Support Plan for the Federal response to acts of C/B terrorism is to provide a coordinated Federal response for urgent public health and medical care needs resulting from C/B terrorist threats or acts in the United States. Response actions for health and medical services needs are directed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through its executive agent, the Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH). HHS directs the provision of U.S. Government-provided health and medical assistance in response to a C/B terrorist incident. The Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP) is assigned responsibility within HHS for implementation and coordination of health and medical assistance actions. The principal purpose of this plan is to support the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by leading the Emergency Support Function (ESF) #8 response to the health and medical aspects of a C/B terrorist incident.
United States. Department of Health and Human Services
1996-06-21
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Declaration Regarding Administration of Smallpox Countermeasures
The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services is issuing this notice pursuant to section 224(p)(2)(A) of the Public Health Service Act to make a declaration regarding administration of smallpox countermeasures. The
Secretary provides policy determinations regarding administration of countermeasures, and declares that a potential bioterrorist incident makes it
advisable to administer, on a voluntary basis, covered countermeasures specified in the declaration for prevention or treatment of smallpox or control or treatment of adverse events related to smallpox vaccination to categories of individuals named in the declaration who may be involved in a wide range of activities associated with the administration of countermeasures against smallpox. Effective dates of the declaration, and relevant definitions are
also provided.
United States. National Archives and Records Administration
2003-01-28
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Community Reaction to Bioterrorism: Prospective Study of Simulated Outbreak
To assess community needs for public information during a bioterrorism-related crisis, an intentional Rift Valley fever outbreak in a community in the southern
part of the United States was simulated. The authors videotaped a series of simulated print and television "news reports" over a fictional 9- day crisis period and invited various groups (e.g., firstresponders and their spouses or partners, journalists) within the selected community to view the videotape and respond to questions about their reactions. All responses were given anonymously. First-responders and their spouses or partners varied in their reactions about how the crisis affected family harmony and job performance. Local journalists exhibited considerable personal fear and confusion. All groups demanded, and put more trust in, information from local sources. These findings may have implications for risk communication during bioterrorism-related outbreaks. Note: This document has been added to the Homeland Security Digital Library in agreement with the Project on Advanced Systems and Concepts for Countering WMD (PASCC) as part of the PASCC collection. Permission to download and/or retrieve this resource has been obtained through PASCC.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
Harwell, Robert; Reynolds, Barbara (Barbara S.); DiGiovanni, Cleto
2003-06
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Terrorism: Concepts, Causes, and Conflict Resolution
"Dr. Stephen Younger, Director of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, recently lamented that too much effort has been placed on technological solutions to the war on terrorism, stating "this is not a technology problem" and asserting that "the single most important thing we can do to predict future acts of terrorism is to understand the causes of terrorism." He went on to challenge those trying to come to grips with the post-9/11 threat to think innovatively. This book is a response to his challenge. It attempts to frame a new debate on the nature, causes and solutions to the terrorism threat. To examine new ways of looking at terrorism in hopes of adding to our understanding and thereby increasing our ability not just to combat it, but perhaps to prevent it from rising again, is thus the intent of this book. A fundamental premise centers on the idea that terrorism cannot be isolated from its surroundings; it is at once a form of conflict in itself and, at the same time, a manifestation of a larger set of social and cultural failures. The first embraces those tactical measures, too often brutal and indiscriminate, characteristic of terrorist attacks. The second encompasses the vast range of psychological, social, religious, political and economic causes and goals at the heart of terrorist views of the world. The two cannot be separated; each largely defines the other, both for the terrorists and those struggling to deal with them. It is in hopes of understanding the linkages between the two that this book has been written. Beginning with a definition of terrorism and the implications of various characterizations of terrorists, the study then moves on to a discussion of the basic types and characteristics of terrorism, as well as the operational and tactical imperatives for terrorists to be successful. It concludes with a discussion of the future direction of terrorism. This is followed by an historical outline of terrorism, which, although hardly exhaustive, points out that terrorism neither began nor ended with the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. A brief case study of Middle East terrorism follows to underscore this point. The final chapter pulls many of the ideas previously presented into a discussion of the context and causes of the current war, offering suggestions as to how Bin Laden and his organization might be countered and eventually defeated." Note: This document has been added to the Homeland Security Digital Library in agreement with the Project on Advanced Systems and Concepts for Countering WMD (PASCC) as part of the PASCC collection. Permission to download and/or retrieve this resource has been obtained through PASCC.
United States. Defense Threat Reduction Agency; George Mason University. Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution
2003-01
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Primer on Spontaneous Heating and Pyrophoricity
The Department of Energy Primer on Spontaneous Heating and Pyrophoricity was
prepared as an information resource for personnel who are responsible for operation of the Department's nuclear facilities. An understanding of spontaneous heating and pyrophoricity hazards is necessary for DOE facility personnel to operate and maintain facilities and facility support systems in a safe manner. The information contained in this Primer is by no means all-encompassing. However, enough information is presented to provide the reader with a fundamental knowledge level sufficient to recognize most spontaneous combustion hazards and how to prevent ignition and widespread fires. This Primer is provided as an information resource only, and is not intended
to replace any fire protection or hazardous material training.
United States. Department of Energy
1994-12
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DOE Standard: Fire Protection Design Criteria
"The development of this Standard reflects the fact that national consensus standards and other design criteria do not comprehensively or, in some cases, adequately address fire protection issues at DOE facilities. This Standard provides supplemental fire protection guidance applicable to the design and
construction of DOE facilities and site features (such as water distribution systems) that are also provided for fire protection. It is intended to be used in conjunction with the applicable building code, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Codes and Standards, and any other applicable DOE construction criteria."
United States. Department of Energy
1999-07
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Facility Safety
"The objective of this Order is to establish facility safety requirements related to: nuclear safety design, criticality safety, fire protection and natural phenomena hazards mitigation...Detailed application of these requirements shall be guided by safety analyses that establish the identification and functions of safety (safety class and safety significant) Structures, Systems, and Components (SSCs) for a facility and establish the significance to safety of functions performed by those SSCs. Safety analyses shall consider facility hazards, natural phenomena hazards, and external man-induced hazards. Factors such as proximity to nearby facilities such as airports, pipelines, and barge traffic peculiar to the site shall be considered. A safety analysis shall be performed at the earliest practical point in conceptual or preliminary design, so that required functional attributes of safety SSCs can be specified in the detailed design. Safety analyses shall be performed in accordance with Safety Analysis Report (SAR) guidance for safety analysis, as described in DOE guidance documents."
United States. Department of Energy
2000-11-22
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Wildland Fire Safety Enhancements
A number of opportunities for improving Department of Energy fire prevention,
protection, and response capabilities were identified. The Commission on Fire Safety and Preparedness has reviewed the report ftndings and recommended that these enhancements be implemented in the near term, where they are not already in place. I agree with the Commissions' recommendations and, therefore, direct the responsible Headquarters and Field Elements to take action to ensure that the recommended wildland fire safety improvements are implemented before the next fire season. These actions need to proceed in advance of the comprehensive fire safety review to be performed by the Office of Environment, Safety and Health and prior to the Commission's Final Report.
United States. Department of Energy
2001-01-19
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Observations on Operation Enduring Freedom - Recommendations for Development of the Transformation Objective Force Logistics Structure
There is little debate regarding the early U.S. successes during Operation Enduring Freedom. Indeed, the campaign was relatively quick with few losses and the preponderance of U.S. strategic objectives were accomplished. Likewise, there were no simultaneous attacks in the same or other theaters and post 911 threats to the U.S. homeland did not significantly challenge Army capability. Yet, despite the successes, what implications for the future should be concluded from this limited campaign? Do the results reinforce the goals of Army Transformation, specifically the logistics goals, or do they suggest development of a new paradigm? This paper examines selected logistics observations from Operation Enduring Freedom within the historical context of the Army's experiences in previous smaller-scale contingency operations, and provides implications and recommendations for the Objective Force logistics structure.
Army War College (U.S.)
Knight, Perry L.
2003-04-07
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Ballistic Missile Defense and National Defense Strategy - Striking a Balance Between Defense, Cost and Risk
Spending multi-billions of dollars to develop and deploy a national Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system with a limited capability against an accidental or rogue actor launch does not satisfy the defense policy goals or the strategic framework as defined in either the 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) or the recently published 2002 National Security Strategy for the United States. At best, this limited national system provides a marginal defense that is easily defeated by rudimentary and readily available countermeasures. But even worse, it is incapable of defeating the most likely Weapon of Mass Destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile threats - non-missile delivery means of WMD against the U.S. and a short to medium range missile attack against our deployed forces or our allies. The nation cannot allow the tragedy of 11 September 2001 to unduly influence our BMD effort and deploy a national system that creates a false sense of security. Even the affluent United States as the current world hegemon cannot afford everything. Tough times require equally tough and smart decisions. The purpose of this paper is to assess recent decisions and using the 2001 QDR defense policy goals and strategic framework to propose how the military might best employ BMD systems in defense of the United States, its deployed forces and its allies without creating unnecessary risk elsewhere.
Army War College (U.S.)
McConkey, Mark S.
2003-04-07
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Effects-Based Operations: A New Way of Thinking and Fighting
This paper analyzes Effects-Based Operations as the most effective way to frame future joint operations in a complex, uncertain environment. This new complex and uncertain environment is characterized by adversaries who have increasingly more access to weapons of Mass Destruction/Effects and whose actions will likely be very unpredictable, and could directly threaten the American homeland. Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld stated that, such new, unexpected and dangerous adversaries must be dissuaded, deterred, and defeated without undue cost to American interests abroad or attacks on the U.S. homeland. The Joint Forces Command has adopted and continues to evolve the concept of EBO within a Joint warfighting construct to answer in part to both challenges. JFCOM has greatly advanced the concept of EBO through inclusion into joint doctrine and the integration in future force experimentation and exercises. The new evolved and broadened concept of EBO as defined in Joint Publication 3-0, Doctrine for Joint Operations best represents a theory that should help select and integrate the various elements of power to attain national security objectives. This new definition has helped the integration of EBO within the Joint community and has helped analysis by reducing the ambiguity of EBO associated with its evolutionary differences in definitions and methodologies. This paper determined that EBO shows great promise as a broad organizing approach to future warfare but has significant obstacles to overcome to be successfully integrated into a new Joint warfighting construct. EBO has been unfairly scrutinized due service centric views and rivalries.
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Rickerman, Leonard D.
2003
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When Culture and Doctrine Collide: Military, Multi-Mission, Maritime Service?
A quiet evolution is underway...the U.S. Coast Guard, always best known for its humanitarian and life-saving efforts, is now squarely focused on its military and national defense mission. The events of September 11, 2001, and the subsequent increased national interest in homeland security has accelerated this evolution, as typified by remarks in the 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review, as well as the service's recent promulgation of it's first doctrinal guidance, Coast Guard Publication 1. Coast Guard Pub 1 has done a credible job of identifying the multi-mission nature of the service, and its rich traditions. However, it falls short in addressing how the service will manage this multi- mission character in the future, specifically with regard to forging consistent critical roles and missions in joint military operations. Some of the service's rich traditions, however, represent a stark contrast to this new 'war fighter' mentality. Managing this cultural-doctrinal gap is critical to the service, as it struggles to define and forge a constant and consistent role in the jot military operations environment. For a combatant commander, however, understanding these cultural distinctions can result in enhanced appreciation of unique and extensive Coast Guard mission capabilities and a more effective utilization of forces.
Naval War College (U.S.)
Kelley, Michael R.
2002-05-13
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Electricity Restructuring: 2003 Blackout Identifies Crisis and Opportunity for the Electricity Sector
The August 14, 2003 electricity blackout intensified concerns about the overall status and security of the electricity industry. Because of widespread concerns, GAO (1) highlighted information about the known causes and effects of the blackout, (2) summarized themes from prior GAO reports on electricity and security matters that provide a context for understanding the blackout, and (3) identified some of the potential options for resolving problems associated with these electricity and security matters. In this report, GAO highlights three themes on electricity and security matters and lays out some of the potential options to consider in addressing problems in these areas. Specifically: 1) Electricity markets are developing, but significant challenges remain. While the electricity sector is in transition to competitive markets, the full benefits of these markets will take time and effort to achieve; 2) Oversight of markets and reliability needs more attention. The ongoing transition to competitive markets, or "restructuring" of electricity markets, has dramatically changed how the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) needs to oversee these markets and the information it needs to do so; and 3) Security for critical infrastructure is of growing importance and a reassessment of the security of the nation's physical infrastructure as well as that of related information technology and control systems should be undertaken. GAO recognizes, however, that many issues surrounding the restructuring of the electricity industry are complicated and that solutions involve complex policy tradeoffs.
United States. General Accounting Office
2003-11-18
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Inference and Aggregation Issues In Secure Database Management Systems
This document is the first volume in the series of companion documents to the Trusted Database Management System Interpretation of the Trusted Computer System Evaluation Criteria [TDI 91; DoD 85]. This document examines inference and aggregation issues in secure database management systems and summarizes the research to date in these areas.
United States. Department of Defense
1996-05
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Auditing Issues in Secure Database Management Systems
This report is the fourth of five companion documents to the Trusted Database Management System Interpretation of the Trusted Computer System Evaluation Criteria. The companion documents address topics that are important to the design and development of secure database management systems, and are written for database vendors, system designers, evaluators, and researchers. This
report addresses auditing issues in secure database management systems.
United States. Department of Defense
1996-05
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Guide to Procurement of Single Connected Systems - Language for RFP Specifications and Statements of Work - An Aid to Procurement Initiators - Includes Complex, Evolving, and Multipolicy Systems
The intended user of the document is the "procurement initiator," to include program managers, users, and security managers. These individuals must write the Request for Proposal (RFP), specifically Section C, the Specification and Statement of Work. Volume 1 of this guideline series discusses the responsibilities of different roles in procurement initiation. The purpose of this document is to facilitate the contracting process, to provide uniformity in competitive acquisitions, to minimize procurement cost and risk, avoid
delays in the solicitation process, and to help ensure the solicitation is complete before its issuance.
United States. Department of Defense
1994-07
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Polyinstantiation Issues In Multilevel Secure Database Management Systems
This report is the third of five companion documents to the Trusted Database Management System Interpretation of the Trusted Computer System Evaluation Criteria. The companion documents address topics that are important to the design and development of secure database management systems, and are written for database vendors, system designers, evaluators, and researchers. This
report addresses polyinstantiation issues in multilevel secure database management systems.
United States. Department of Defense
1996-05
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Entity and Referential Integrity Issues In Multilevel Secure Database Management
This report is the second of five companion documents to the Trusted Database Management System Interpretation of the Trusted Computer System Evaluation Criteria. The companion documents address topics that are important to the design and development of secure database management systems, and are written for database vendors, system designers, evaluators, and researchers. This report addresses entity and referential integrity issues in multilevel secure
database management systems.
United States. Department of Defense
1996-05
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Reporters on the Ground: The Military and the Media's Experience During Operation Iraqi Freedom
During the planning for Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) the Department of Defense (DoD) developed an embedded media program that planned for large numbers of embedded reporters throughout military units. Unlike Vietnam in the 1970s, this program resulted in television reporting from within Iraq, especially from those reporters embedded with front lines units, almost instantaneously. The speed that these reports made it on the air often outpaced the military's communication channels. Although it gave the American citizens an immediate close up report of what their armed forces were doing, it handicapped media analysts and stateside reporters in their ability to put the raw reporting from the field into a larger context. Conversely those TV journalists supplying these spectacular reports and engrossing pictures from the front line were also handicapped in that they were reporting in a vacuum, unable themselves to obtain any kind of perspective or context.
Army War College (U.S.). Center for Strategic Leadership
Pasquarett, Michael
2003-10
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DOE Handbook: Airborne Release Fractions/Rates and Respirable Fractions for Nonreactor Nuclear Facilities: Volume 1-Analysis of Experimental Data
"The purpose of this document is to provide a compendium and analysis of experimental data from which airborne release fractions (ARFs) and respirable fractions (RFs) may be derived. Such values are needed to determine quantities of radioactive material driven airborne for the purpose of estimating the scope of the potential release spectrum and potential downwind consequences from a given facility or activity. The information provided in this handbook
aids in making such estimates."
United States. Department of Energy
1994-12
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DOE Handbook: Supplementary Guidance and Design Experience for the Fusion Safety Standards
"This handbook provides additional documentation on good operations and design practices as well as lessons learned from the experiences of designers and operators of previous fusion facilities and related systems. It is intended
to capture the experience gained in the various fields and pass it on to designers of future fusion facilities as a means of enhancing success and safety. The sections of this document are presented according to the physical location of the major systems of a fusion facility, beginning with the vacuum vessel and proceeding to those systems and components outside the vacuum vessel (the "Ex-vessel Systems"). The last section describes administrative procedures that cannot be localized to specific components. It has been tacitly assumed that the general structure of the fusion facilities addressed is that of a tokamak, though the same principles would apply to other magnetic confinement options."
United States. Department of Energy
1999-01
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DOE Standard: Licensed Reactor Nuclear Safety Criteria Applicable to DOE Reactors
"The Department of Energy (DOE) Order DOE 5480.6, 'Safety of Department of Energy-Owned Nuclear Reactors,' establishes reactor safety requirements to assure that reactors are sited, designed, constructed, modified, operated, maintained, and decommissioned in a manner that adequately protects health and safety and is in accordance with uniform standards, guides, and codes which are consistent with those applied to comparable licensed reactors. This document identifies nuclear safety criteria applied to licensed reactors. The degree of application of these criteria to a DOE-owned reactor, consistent with their application to comparable licensed reactors, must be determined by the DOE and DOE contractor."
United States. Department of Energy
1993-11
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Compilation of Nuclear Safety Criteria Potential Application to DOE Nonreactor Facilities
"This guide is a compilation and source list of nuclear safety criteria primarily used by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and private industry in commercial NNFs. Because the DOE , in some areas of NNF design, construction, operation, and decommissioning has taken the lead in developing NNF criteria, the guide also includes criteria used by the DOE and DOE contractors. Those criteria that are mandated by the DOE Orders shall be used in the design, construction, operation, or decommissioning of DOE NNFs. The remaining nuclear safety criteria listed in the guide should be evaluated by DOE and DOE contractors for application to the DOE-owned NNFs under their cognizance. The criteria listed are those that are applicable to the specific areas of nuclear safety addressed in the Safety Analysis Report of an associated NNF."
United States. Department of Energy
1992-03
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President's Management Agenda, Fiscal Year 2002
This document is the presidents proposal for improving management and performance of the federal government.
United States. Office of Management and Budget
2002
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DOE Standard: Fire Protection Engineering Functional Area Qualification Standard: DOE Defense Nuclear Facilities Technical Personnel [2000]
The Departments Federal Technical Capability Program Policy, issued by the Secretary in December 1998, commits the Department to continuously strive for technical excellence. The Technical Qualification Program, along with the supporting technical Functional Area Qualification Standards, complements the personnel processes that support the Department's drive for technical excellence. In support of this goal, the competency requirements defined in the technical Functional Area Qualification Standards should be aligned with and integrated into the recruitment and staffing processes for technical positions. The technical Functional Area Qualification Standards should form, in part, the primary basis for developing vacancy announcements, qualification requirements, crediting plans, interviewing questions, and other criteria associated with the recruitment, selection, and internal placement of technical personnel. Office of Personnel Management minimum qualifications standards will be greatly enhanced by application of appropriate materials from the technical Functional Area Qualification Standards. The technical Functional Area Qualification Standards are not intended to replace the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualifications Standards nor other Departmental personnel standards, rules, plans, or processes. The primary purpose of the Technical Qualification Program is to ensure that employees have the requisite technical competency to support the mission of the Department. The Technical Qualification Program forms the basis for the development and assignment of DOE personnel responsible for ensuring the safe operation of defense nuclear facilities.
United States. Department of Energy
2000-07
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Aviation Security: Federal Air Marshal Service Is Addressing Challenges of Its Expanded Mission and Workforce, but Additional Actions Needed
In this document, GAO reports on operational and management control issues that emerged during the rapid expansion of the Federal Air Marshal Service (the Service), specifically addressing its (1) background check procedures and training; (2) management information, policies, and procedures; and (3) challenges likely to result from its mergers into Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and DHS's Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). To deploy its expanded workforce by July 1, 2002, the Service used expedited procedures to obtain interim secret security clearances for air marshal candidates and provided abbreviated training for them. These procedures allowed candidates with interim clearances to work until they received their final top-secret clearances. To train its expanded workforce before the Deputy Secretary's deployment deadline, the Service incrementally revised and abbreviated its curriculum. The Service has begun to develop management information, policies, and procedures to support its expanded workforce and mission, but it has not yet completed this major effort. The Service has implemented policies needed to support its expansion. The Service is likely to face challenges in implementing changes resulting from its mergers into DHS and ICE, including changes to its roles, responsibilities, and training and to its procedures for coordinating with TSA's security organizations, as well as administrative changes. GAO's recent work on mergers and organizational transformations proposes several key practices--set implementation goals, establish a communication strategy, and involve employees to obtain their ideas--and associated implementation steps that could help the Service implement such changes.
United States. General Accounting Office
2003-11-19
