Was DHS Biased in Selecting Funding for Projects?

While the Inspector General has said the Department of Homeland Security has been justified in choosing which projects will get department funding, it is also warning the DHS to revamp its practices to avoid the appearance of bias.

In an article on the GovExec.com website, Robert Brodsky says the IG was investigating whether or not the head of the DHS’s research and development office was biased in funding three projects that were recommended by former business acquaintances, each of whom sought financial backing to conduct the work.

“The IG found that the projects were chosen for justifiable reasons and did not represent a personal conflict of interest for Adm. Jay Cohen, DHS undersecretary for science and technology,” Brodsky says. “But the report suggested that the office take steps to reduce even the appearance of bias in its selection process.”

“The method by which the projects were selected was not documented and the selection criteria were not clear, which cast initial doubt on the fairness of the selection of the three projects,” the report stated. “Without a clear system for documenting the reasons for the project selections, S&T remains vulnerable to real or perceived conflicts of interest and abuses of position.”

In his written response, Cohen agreed with the recommendations, but argued that the “unnecessary discussion of unfounded ‘ethical concerns’” had no place in the report. “The draft report raises and then dismisses concerns that some projects were improperly selected, yet goes on to state without foundation that ‘the method by which the projects were selected was not transparent, objective or fair,’” he said.

To read the full article, click here: http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=40895&dcn=todaysnews