Sens. Peters and Daines Introduce Bill to Extend Homeland Security’s Use of Procurement Tool for Cutting-Edge Technology Acquisition

U.S. Sens. Gary Peters and Steve Daines have recently introduced a bill to extend the use of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) procurement tool for acquiring technology from private companies. The Better Enabling Secure and Trustworthy Technology for the Homeland Act focuses on the other transaction authority (OTA) used by DHS to acquire mission-critical technologies for various security purposes. This tool allows for flexible agreements with contractors, promoting collaboration and reducing risks.

The bill comes at a time when the nation faces increasingly complex threats that require cutting-edge technologies to protect effectively. Sen. Peters emphasized the importance of working with innovative companies to stay ahead of global competition and secure the nation from evolving threats.

The bill has already advanced out of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which Sen. Peters chairs, and is now headed to the full Senate for consideration. Currently, the OTA is set to expire in 2024, but this legislation seeks to extend it for three more years until fiscal year 2027, following a previous extension granted in the fiscal year 2023 NDAA.

If passed, this bill will ensure that DHS has access to the latest technologies from innovative companies, allowing them to better protect the country against evolving threats.