PositiveID Corporation (fka PSID)

[greaseyfingers]

Bio Watch Gen-3 Investment and Acquisition Oversight Activities

Dr. Garza provides a detailed description of the history and objectives for the BioWatch program. I will, therefore, not repeat this information to the committee. It is clear that the program has a long history and its opportunity for success relies both on emerging technology and well-coordinated partnerships with industry, other federal agencies and state/local governments. The technical requirements for this technology are complex and I am pleased that our Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate is working closely with the Office of Health Affairs (OHA) on the technical strategy for the third generation (Gen-3). .

As indicated by Dr. Garza, there have been some schedule delays in the acquisition of Gen-3 technology for the BioWatch program because earlier generations were governed by outdated,
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less rigorous standards. I am confident that our technical, acquisition and oversight environments are sufficiently settled so future generations of BioWatch equipment will be well supported.
S&T is in a unique position to evaluate new and emerging technologies against capability gaps, which will increase technological expertise and assist the Department in making better technology “buy” decisions. S&T and OHA are working closely to pursue this highly specialized detection technology while the Office of Program Accountability and Risk Management (PARM), which reports directly to me, is positioned to offer high quality acquisition management support.

In February 2012, the program requested I convene an ARB to obtain approval to release the BioWatch Gen-3 Phase II performance testing solicitation. Since the program had not completed the conditions set forth in prior program reviews, the BioWatch Gen-3 request was denied. Both the Program Management and Cost Estimating COEs worked with BioWatch Gen-3 on program and cost challenges to assist them in getting ready for this milestone. OHA submitted the required acquisition documentation for the program to the Department for review in July 2012.
The BioWatch program presents challenging acquisition issues under the most optimal circumstances, but this form of acquisition is not unique. There are no current, active procurements for BioWatch Gen-3. The first and second generations are in the operations and maintenance phase – and were prior to my tenure – while third generation technology is within the acquisition lifecycle and is currently working through technology demonstration and planning. As chair of the Acquisition Review Board, I will continue to monitor the progress of the program and will not allow Gen-3 to proceed unless it is meeting actions from the ADM.
http://homeland.house.gov/sites/homeland.house.gov/files/Testimony%20Borras_1.pdf

http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2008homest/rhyne.pdf