DHS says efficiency drive nets results

DHS says efficiency drive nets results    The Department of Homeland Security said a U.S. Coast Guard estimate that it will save $2 million per year by restructuring its maintenance and support schedules for 1,800 boats is an example of how its drive to eliminate waste has already paid dividends.
   Now the department is diving deeper for further cost savings as part of a rigorous efficiency initiative launched in March. The next round of efforts to improve use of taxpayer money and operate more effectively includes utilizing department-wide blanket purchase agreements for office supplies and developing employee-training programs for multiple component agencies, DHS announced last week.

Napolitano

   Departmental review teams have gone over processes with a fine-tooth comb to root out inefficiency at the direction of Secretary Janet Napolitano. Savings found during the first 60 days of the effort include:
   ' $1.7 million in savings for the Coast Guard by consolidating 10 support contracts into three.
   ' $450,000 in Coast Guard savings during the next four years by converting lights for navigation buoys from incandescent signals to light emitting diode (LED) lanterns, which will simplify installation, reduce maintenance and decrease power consumption.
   ' $61,000 in savings for an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility by using government vehicles instead of rentals.
   ' $40,000 in savings for ICE by eliminating subscriptions to publications available online.
   ' $130,000 in savings at Citizenship and Immigration Services by replacing a management training that previously used private facilities with teleconferences. The agency also saved about $165,550 by using filing systems and computer equipment from DHS's excess property inventory rather than purchasing new products.
   During the next 30-day phase, DHS will begin cost-saving programs to standardize new employee orientations, implement energy efficiency in facilities and utilize hybrid and alternative vehicles when replacements are needed. It will also begin to convert printers, fax machines, copiers and scanners into all-in-one machines when replacements are needed, obtain preliminary background data early in the job application process to avoid costly background checks for unsuitable candidates and reduce redundancies in internal and external communication products.
   DHS also said it will work to improve timeliness of responding to external correspondence.