In March 2009, Secretary Napolitano launched the Department-wide Efficiency Review. Through the Department of Homeland Security’s Efficiency Review, we’ve taken a hard look at how we do business, and identified ways to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of limited taxpayer dollars we receive.
“…We have made an unprecedented commitment to efficiency in order to support frontline operations by building a culture of fiscal discipline and accountability throughout the Department,” said Secretary Napolitano.
On September 14, 2011, Vice President Biden highlighted the DHS Efficiency Review as a model effort for other agencies. The initiative has made an impact to help DHS:
- Reduce costs
- Improve efficiency
- Streamline operations
- Eliminate duplication
- Promote greater accountability
- Support transparency, and
- Enhance customer service.
More Than $4 Billion in Cost Avoidances Identified
In partnership with DHS component leadership, the DHS Efficiency Review is helping to create a DHS that is leaner, smarter, more responsive and better equipped to protect the nation.
Over 40 DHS Efficiency Review initiatives have led to significant progress across the Department. To date, DHS has identified more than $4 billion in cost avoidances, including:
- $271 million through enterprise software licensing agreements
- $19 million by sharing excess IT equipment within the Department rather than buying new
- $7 million by consolidating subscriptions to professional publications and newspapers
- $6 million by using government office space and online tools for conferences instead of renting private facilities
The DHS Efficiency Review has facilitated efficiencies for other federal agencies. In response to DHS paperless earnings and leave statements initiative, which has resulted in a cost avoidance of $4.9 million for DHS, the Office of Management and Budget directed the National Finance Center to change the default government-wide civilian employee setting for earnings and leave statements from paper to electronic, resulting in an estimated annual savings of $4 million for the federal government.
Initiative Categories
Daily Expenses
- Background investigations
- Communication devices
- Facilities
- Furniture
- Intelligence analysis
- Language services
- Mail Systems
- Office supplies
- Printing
- Software licenses
- Subscriptions
- Travel
- Uniforms
- Vehicle Maintenance
Personnel
- Employee orientation and training
- Hiring/security and suitability processes
- HQ-component coordination and decision-making
- Paperless earning and leave statements
- Training facilities
- Web systems optimization
- Workforce assessment and retention
Physical Assets
- Aviation equipment
- Bulk fuel acquisition
- Energy management
- Fleet management
- Hybrid vehicles
- IT and office equipment
- Records management
In the News
- Secretary Napolitano Highlights DHS Accomplishments (12/22/2011)
- Vice President Biden Announces Over $2 Billion in Anti-Waste Measures at Cabinet Meeting (9/14/2011)
- Secretary Napolitano Announces Two New Initiatives (4/7/2010)
- Secretary Napolitano Highlights DHS Accomplishments (12/15/2009)
- DHS Reaches Fourth Efficiency Milestone (7/24/2009)
- DHS Reaches Third Efficiency Milestone (6/26/2009)
- DHS Reaches Second Efficiency Review Milestone (5/28/2009)
- DHS Reaches First Efficiency Review Milestone (4/30/2009)
- Secretary Napolitano Rolls out DHS Efficiency Review Initiative (3/27/2009)
For more information, please e-mail efficiency@dhs.gov.