How DHS cut costs: Software recycling, contract consolidation -- FCW

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How DHS cut costs: Software recycling, contract consolidation

Napolitano says department is saving money through IT recycling and other measures

By Alice Lipowicz
Jul 01, 2009

Secretary Janet Napolitano said the Homeland Security Department is saving money by recycling software, consolidating contracts and pursuing other cost-cutting measures.

For example, the Coast Guard saved $1.7 million by consolidating 10 support contracts into three, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials expect to save $130,000 by replacing on-site management training with teleconferences, according to a news release issued June 26.

Furthermore, the Transportation Security Administration is recycling underused software applications to save $433,000 by avoiding new software purchases.

In February, Napolitano directed the leaders of all 22 DHS agencies to identify past and current efforts to improve efficiency and launch new ones.

About the Author

Alice Lipowicz is a staff writer covering government 2.0, homeland security and other IT policies for Federal Computer Week.

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Reader comments

Thu, Jul 2, 2009 Peter G. Tuttle, CPCM

Unfortunately, many times agency contract consolidation initiatives, if not managed correctly, can result in further loss of opportunity and work for our nation's small businesses. Hopefully, DHS is sensitive to this and will be able to demonstrate to the public and congressional leaders that small business is not adversely impacted by these consolidation activities.

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