Abstract: As the homeland security mission continues to evolve, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must focus its research and development (R&D) efforts to develop technology solutions that address the most critical needs. The breadth and complexity of the DHS mission space pose challenges for tracking all ongoing R&D efforts and aligning those efforts to Department goals and priorities. In late 2012, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommended that DHS develop policies for coordinating R&D activities and establish a mechanism for tracking R&D projects. The DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) worked with other DHS components to improve R&D tracking and coordination, including issuing a DHS Directive and Instruction that provide definitions for R&D and establish policies for coordinating R&D activities across the Department.

To reinforce these ongoing efforts, the Secretary of Homeland Security issued a memorandum in August 2015 directing S&T to establish Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) to identify and coordinate DHS R&D efforts in priority mission areas. The initial IPTs covered the following DHS missions: Aviation Security, Biological Threat, Counterterrorism, Border Security, and Cyber Security. In response to the Secretary’s direction, S&T established an operational framework and process to support the stand-up, governance, and ongoing operations of the IPTs. The IPTs are explicitly linked to the work of the DHS Joint Requirements Council (JRC) and will serve as the central mechanism by which the Department identifies technological capability gaps and coordinates R&D efforts to close those gaps.  This discussion will provide an overview of the IPT process, the technology areas of interest and provide insights into how the DOE National Laboratories can work with DHS to achieve its goals.

Don Kirkley is a retired naval officer who as a submariner served in numerous assignments at sea and ashore.  His ashore assignments included Liaison Officer, United States-United Kingdom TRIDENT II Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile Program, Chief of Naval Operations Fellow at the Center for Naval Analysis, and various other positions within the Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs (SSP).

Following his retirement from the U.S. Navy, Mr. Kirkley worked in the private sector for McNeil Technologies, Inc as Vice President for Information Management Services providing a broad range of knowledge management services to the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community.  He joined the Science and Technology Directorate in October 2008.  In his current position, he provides leadership and direction for the DHS S&T Laboratories and is responsible for their strategic planning, budgeting and execution, operations management processes, and safe and secure operations. In addition, Mr. Kirkley provides coordination of the Department of Energy National Laboratories and sites to create a networked laboratory capability that supports the missions of the Department.