(a) In general

Subtitle D of title VIII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 391 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

837. Major acquisition program requirements

(a) Documentation

For each major acquisition program, regardless of acquisition pathway, the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Management, shall require the head of each relevant component or office of the Department to carry out the following:

(1)

Maintain acquisition documentation that is complete, accurate, timely, valid, and tailored to risk, and that includes the following:

(A)

Performance requirements refined from identified mission needs that are validated consistent with departmental policy.

(B)

An analysis of potential options to address such needs.

(C)

A complete life-cycle cost estimate, together with supporting documentation.

(D)

Verification of such estimate against independent cost estimates, and reconciliation of any differences.

(E)

A cost-benefit analysis, together with supporting documentation.

(F)

An integrated master schedule, together with supporting documentation.

(G)

Plans for conducting technical reviews, such as systems engineering, and test and evaluation activities throughout development to support production and deployment decisions.

(H)

An acquisition strategy that outlines the planned acquisition approach, including the acquisition pathway.

(I)

A logistics and support plan for operating deployed capabilities until such capabilities are disposed of or retired.

(J)

An acquisition program baseline that is traceable to the parameters of the program required under subparagraphs (A), (C), and (F), and documents any key program changes.

(2)

Prepare complete life-cycle cost estimates and integrated master schedules for major acquisition programs pursuant to subparagraphs (C) and (F), respectively, of paragraph (1), in a manner consistent with best practices as identified by the Comptroller General of the United States.

(3)

Ensure any revisions to the acquisition documentation maintained pursuant to paragraph (1) are reviewed and approved in accordance with departmental policy.

(b) Major acquisition program breach report

(1) In general

As soon as possible, but not later than 30 days, after the relevant Chief Acquisition Executive (or equivalent officer or official of the Department) becomes aware of a breach of a major acquisition program, the Under Secretary for Management shall submit to Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report relating thereto.

(2) Elements

A report submitted in accordance with paragraph (1) shall include the following with respect to a breach of a major acquisition program:

(A)

A detailed description of such breach, and an explanation of its cause.

(B)

The projected impact to performance, cost, and schedule of such program as a result of such breach.

(C)

An updated acquisition program baseline of such program as a result of such breach, and a complete history of changes to the original acquisition program baseline.

(D)

An updated acquisition schedule of such program as a result of such breach, and a complete history of changes to the original schedule.

(E)

A full life-cycle cost analysis of such program.

(F)

A remediation plan for such breach that identifies corrective actions and any resulting issues or risks.

(G)

A description of how progress implementing such plan will be measured and monitored.

(3) Additional element

If a likely cost overrun is greater than 20 percent, or a likely delay is greater than 12 months, from the costs or schedule, respectively, described in the acquisition program baseline for a major acquisition program, the Under Secretary for Management shall include in the applicable report submitted in accordance with paragraph (1) a written determination, with a supporting explanation, of whether—

(A)

the asset or service to be acquired under such program is essential to the accomplishment of the mission of the relevant component or office of the Department;

(B)

there are any alternatives to such asset or service that would provide equal or greater capability in both a more cost-effective and timely manner;

(C)

the relevant updated acquisition schedule and estimates for full life-cycle costs are reasonable; and

(D)

the management structure for such program is adequate to manage and control cost, schedule, and performance.

(c) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Acquisition program baseline

The term acquisition program baseline means a summary of the cost, schedule, and performance parameters, expressed in standard, measurable, quantitative terms, which must be met in order to accomplish the goals of a major acquisition program.

(2) Breach

The term breach means, with respect to a major acquisition program, any of the following:

(A)

A likely cost overrun greater than 15 percent of the acquisition program baseline.

(B)

A likely delay of more than 180 days in the delivery schedule.

(C)

An anticipated failure of any key performance threshold under the acquisition program baseline.

(3) Major acquisition program

The term major acquisition program means a Department capital asset, services, or hybrid acquisition program that is estimated by the Secretary to require an eventual total expenditure of at least $300 million (based on fiscal year 2026 constant dollars) over its life-cycle, or a program identified by the Chief Acquisition Officer of the Department as a major program due to size, risk, or strategic significance.

(b) Clerical amendment

The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by adding after the item relating to section 836 the following new item: