BRT representatives have met with various representatives in the White House and the Department of Agriculture to emphasize the importance of cooperation and coordination between USDA, DHS, and others involved in the Centers of Excellence initiative. This is especially true in those issue areas (such as food safety, and animal and plant health and diagnostics) where the unique expertise of the Department of Agriculture is necessary for the success of the initiative.
	On July 23, 2003, DHS announced the publication of its first Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) calling for academic white papers on specific security areas as the first step in the review process for colleges and universities that would like to be selected as a Homeland Security Center of Excellence. The initial Center, focused on risk-based modeling, is expected to be awarded by November 25, 2003. DHS has indicated that this initial Center will likely have a funding level of $2-$4 million annually, for an initial three year funding cycle.
	DHS also announced that up to nine additional Centers may be awarded by the end of calendar 2004. These could include one or more centers with a focus on food, animal, and agriculture issues. In addition, some sources indicate that a BAA announcing a call for White Papers for two more Centers could be released very soon.
	As you recall, the President’s F.Y. 2004 budget requested $10 million for the DHS Centers of Excellence program. In October 2003, Congress completed work on a bill appropriating $70 million for the DHS Centers. This $60 million increase in funds could mean that many more Centers can/will be awarded. These funds were appropriated without regard to fiscal year, and thus remain available until expended.
	It is expected that the Congress will appropriate additional funds for the DHS Centers of Excellence Homeland Security research next year (in the F.Y. 2005 cycle) and likely in years beyond. To the extent that discipline is maintained and Congress avoids “earmarking” these funds for individual universities, the funds will continue to be awarded to what could be dozens of Centers for the foreseeable future.

In addition to the University-Based Centers of Excellence program, the BRT continues to monitor implementation of the provision included in the F.Y. 2004 DHS Appropriations bill that requires DHS to cooperate with USDA-CSREES on an analysis of "gaps" in agro-security research efforts. We will provide you with additional information about that and other matters when it becomes available to us.

Link:
DHS News Release on First Center of Excellence Solicitation

Fred Clark
Cornerstone Government Affairs