兰德-美国国土安全部运营分析中心2019–2020年度报告（英文）-2021.3-28页_3mb

Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center (HSOAC) 2019-2020 Annual Report Summary

Core Content and Mission

The Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center (HSOAC), a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) operated by the RAND Corporation, supports the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by providing independent, objective research and analysis across various functional areas. Its mission is to help DHS make the United States safe, secure, and resilient by addressing complex policy challenges and improving operational effectiveness. HSOAC is a strategic asset for DHS, offering expertise and analysis that directly influence mission outcomes and policy decisions.

Main Functional Areas

HSOAC's work spans four main programs:

1. Acquisition and Development Program

   • Focuses on acquisition studies and R&D to support DHS in planning and executing projects.
   • Includes innovation and technology acceleration to promote the integration of new technologies.

2. Personnel and Resources Program

   • Addresses organizational studies, including workforce analysis, performance measurement, and strategic planning.

3. Recovery Cost Analysis Program

   • Supports disaster recovery efforts by analyzing costs and providing actionable recommendations.

4. Strategy, Policy, and Operations Program

   • Involves operational analysis, regulatory and policy studies, and homeland security threat assessments.

Key Projects and Contributions

1. Enhancing the Resilience of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Services

• Challenge: PNT systems are critical to infrastructure but vulnerable to disruption and jamming. Executive Order 13905 required the development of PNT profiles aligned with sector-specific needs.
• HSOAC's Role: Conducted pilot workshops using a structured method to identify challenges and mitigation strategies related to PNT use in IT networks.
• Impact: Helped build awareness of PNT risks and informed the development of PNT profiles and contracts that integrate secure services.

2. Supporting DHS Field Systems and Capabilities

• Challenge: The Joint Requirements Council (JRC) faced difficulties in consistently implementing the Joint Requirements Integration and Management System (JRIMS) across DHS.
• HSOAC's Role: Analyzed program requirements and provided recommendations for policy, training, and operational improvements.
• Impact: Improved the quality and consistency of requirements documents and supported key DHS initiatives such as enterprise analytics and C-UASs.

3. Building an Enterprise-Wide Approach to Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM)

• Challenge: DHS needed to establish a centralized governance approach for managing cyber supply chain risks.
• HSOAC's Role: Assessed enterprise requirements, developed a concept of operations, and provided candidate policies for C-SCRM governance.
• Impact: Laid the foundation for a more resilient and secure cyber environment within DHS, improving its ability to manage risks and threats.

4. Modernizing Data Management Across DHS

• Challenge: The Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act required DHS to create a Chief Data Officer (CDO) role and establish data governance.
• HSOAC's Role: Conducted stakeholder interviews and developed a logic model to guide the CDO's mission and organizational maturity.
• Impact: Helped DHS move toward a full-time CDO role and informed the development of a strategic data governance framework.

5. Supporting Disaster Recovery in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI)

• Challenge: The USVI faced significant recovery needs after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, with a projected $11.25 billion in recovery work.
• HSOAC's Role: Conducted extensive research involving over 170 group discussions to identify key recovery goals and challenges.
• Impact: Provided 76 actionable recommendations to improve recovery planning, prioritize projects, and develop metrics for progress.

6. Understanding How Disasters Affect Construction Prices

• Challenge: FEMA needed to better forecast construction costs for post-disaster projects, especially with the use of fixed-price contracts.
• HSOAC's Role: Analyzed historical data to determine how often natural disasters cause significant increases in construction costs.
• Impact: Identified that about 4% of counties experience over 10% price increases, with key indicators being property damage per capita and in-migration rates. This helps FEMA make more accurate cost forecasts.

7. Streamlining the FEMA Public Assistance Process for Disasters

• Challenge: FEMA needed to adapt its Public Assistance (PA) process to respond to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other disasters.
• HSOAC's Role: Assisted in the development of strategies and analyses to support the efficient use of federal grants for emergency protective measures.
• Impact: Helped FEMA improve its ability to respond to diverse disaster scenarios with flexible and effective funding mechanisms.

Key Features of HSOAC's Operation

• Tailored Teams: HSOAC can assemble teams from over 1,000 researchers with diverse expertise in behavioral and policy sciences, engineering, and more.
• Strategic Engagement: Regular interaction with DHS leadership and staff at all levels ensures alignment with mission priorities.
• Innovation and Technology: Leverages RAND's internal research programs, Methods Centers, and Innovation Incubator to develop and test new analytical tools.
• FFRDC Role: As an FFRDC, HSOAC operates independently and provides objective, evidence-based research to support DHS's mission.

Conclusion

HSOAC plays a vital role in enhancing DHS's operational effectiveness, strengthening its ability to respond to disasters, and improving cybersecurity and data governance. Through tailored research, innovative methods, and close collaboration with DHS and other stakeholders, HSOAC continues to support the department in making informed, data-driven decisions that positively affect national security and resilience.