The following are snippets or summaries of stories that sales executives should read to see if there are any areas in which your company can be "of assistance" to the Government. When you read these stories, don't read them as a citizen. Read them instead as a problem solver. How can you and your company help the goverment achieve their goals? How can you solve their problems? These stories are not released for informational purposes only. They are, in essence, a call for your help. So, give the appropriate persons a call and ask them to help you ...help them!

SECRETARY CHERTOFF OUTLINES IMPERATIVES FOR DEPARTMENT REALIGNMENT TO THE COUNCIL OF EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT ON JULY 25, 2005:

(Complete story posted at DHS website: http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/index.jsp )

• Chertoff said his agenda would include these items over the next six months:
• Increasing our focus on preparedness at all levels of government and private life;
• Finally fulfilling our obligation to gain control of our borders and to do so in a way that is consistent with our traditional value of welcoming visitors and also fostering immigration that strengthens our country;
• Protecting our transportation, which is what binds us together;
• Further promoting information and intelligence sharing;
• Building upon the management of the individual components to finally create a unified management that covers such important considerations as procurement policy that is efficient and has integrity;
• Managing the Department's finances properly; and
• Fully integrating a state-of-the-art information technology system.

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DHS Director Chertoff is proposing some changes at DHS. According to GOVEXEC.com magazine, the changes include a new Analysis and Operations Account for Intelligence Activities budgeted at $311.2 million. Govexec.com reports that the changes are "part of the agency's reorganization of its old Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection Directorate (IAIP)." The new "Preparedness Directorate" pulls together some of IAIP functions (and some of its $473.9 million) and several other areas including US Fire Administration and Biodefense Countermeasures programs. The proposed changes also include, according to the magazine, $689 million to fund Federal Air Marshals from ICE to the Transportation Security Administration.

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(http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/press_release/press_release_0613.xml)

According to a Department of Homeland Security press release, the FY 2006 budget request includes $41.1 billion -- a seven percent increase over the 2005 budget (excluding Project BioShield). The entities that would realize significant budgetary increases are (i) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (with a 13.5 percent increase), and (ii) the U.S. Coast Guard (with an increase of more than nine percent).

The press release states that the 2006 budget "includes the establishment of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO). DNDO would develop, acquire and support the deployment and improvement of a domestic system to detect and report attempts to import, assemble, or transport a nuclear explosive device, fissile material or radiological material intended for illicit use. DNDO will be located within DHS and will be jointly staffed with reps from DHS, DOE, FBI. It would coordinate with DOJ, the State Department, the Intelligence Community and other departments as needed."

The press release further states that "[t]he budget also proposes to consolidate DHS screening activities with the formation of the Office of Screening Coordination and Operations (SCO) within the Border and Transportation Security (BTS) directorate. The new organization would enhance terrorist-related screening through comprehensive, coordinated procedures that detect, identify, tract and interdict people, cargo and other entities and objects that pose a threat to homeland security."

The budget revolves around five major themes:

• Revolutionizing the Borders
• Strengthening Law Enforcement
• Improving National Preparedness and Response
• Leveraging Technology
• Creating a 21st Century Department

GOVEXEC.COM - JULY 20, 2005
DHS POLICY SHOP MAY RESHAPE AGENCY PRIORITIES
KATHERINE MCINTIRE PETERS http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0705/072005kp1.htm

GOVEXEC.COM - JULY 18, 2005
HOMELAND OVERHAUL WOULD PUT NEW FOCUS ON TELECOM,
NATIONAL JOURNAL'S TECHNOLOGY DAILY WRITE GRETA WODELE http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0705/071805tdpm1.htm

GOVEXEC.COM - JULY 13, 2005
CHERTOFF UNVEILS HOMELAND SECURITY REVAMP PLAN
GRETA WODELE, CONGRESS DAILY http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0705/071305cdpm1.htm

DHS PRESS ROOM:
FACT SHEET: US DHS SECURITY FY 2006 BUDGET REQUEST INCLUDES SEVEN PERCENT INCREASE http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/press_release/press_release_0613.xml