The US Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) has awarded the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit research organization, a five- year contract worth $494.7 million to operate a new federally funded research and development center (FFRDC).
Under the RAND Corporation’s management, the Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center will conduct study and analysis in support of seven key focus areas: Acquisition Studies; Homeland Security Threat & Opportunity Studies; Organizational Studies; Regulatory Doctrine & Policy Studies; Operational Studies; Research and Development Studies; and Innovation & Technology Acceleration. “RAND is honored and excited to be selected by DHS to assist with its important work,” said Michael D. Rich, president and CEO of RAND.
“The new center provides another opportunity for RAND to serve the public and apply its expertise on issues such as terrorism, border security and other topics critical to protecting the US homeland.”
FFRDCS are organizations sponsored and funded by the federal government to assist with research and development, study and analysis, systems engineering and integration. RAND currently operates four federally funded research and development centers and contributes to a fifth.
Terrence K. Kelly, a RAND senior operations researcher, will serve as inaugural director of the Homeland Security Operational AnalysisCenter. Henry H. Willis, who has headed RAND’s ongoing portfolio of homeland security research, will serve as associate director.
RAND’s efforts at the center will be supported by four partners: Innovative Decisions Inc., Microsystems Integration Inc., the University of Maryland and the University of Southern California.
“As we look at a world of new and emerging requirements, it’s important that our newest FFRDC can meet those requirements. DHS’s contract with RAND Corporation will ensure that HSOAC provides DHS with expert products within these focus areas. Working together with industry and our FFRDCs, we can deliver outcomes to make our nation stronger,” said Deputy Under Secretary for Science and Technology Dr. Robert Griffin.
