GW Partner in U.S. Department of Homeland Security "Think Tank"

WASHINGTON, DC—Associate Vice President for Homeland Security, Frank J. Cilluffo announced on April 26, 2004, that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) selected Analytic Services Incorporated (ANSER) to establish and operate the Homeland Security Institute (HSI), a new Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). The George Washington University (GW) is a valued member of Analytic Services’ University Partnership program and will play a significant role in achieving its mission of providing independent analysis to address important homeland security issues, particularly those involving policy and security where scientific, technical and analytical expertise is required.   Speaking about the Institute and the selection of Analytic Services, Cilluffo said, “We are delighted to be a part of the ANSER team that will meet the nation’s homeland security challenges head-on.” He added, “GW stands ready to marshal and mobilize the resources of the University in support of this national imperative.”

Following a full and open competition procurement process, conducted by DHS, the Institute was awarded this contract with funding levels that could reach $130 million over the next four and one-half years.  Analytic Services was chosen from a field of seven proposals, evaluated by a team of scientific and technical experts from within the federal government as well as the private sector.  Each proposal was evaluated against four basic criteria that included management and technical approach, past performance/past experience, subcontracting, cost and financial capability.

 "ANSER's selection is a tribute to our long-standing dedication to public service as well as our early focus on the need for new strategies and capabilities to secure the homeland," said Dr. Ruth David, President and CEO of Analytic Services in their official announcement of the win.  "We offered the leadership vision, the corporate commitment and the demonstrated expertise to build the Institute needed by the Department."

This marks the first Homeland Security FFRDC awarded by DHS, and also the first new government FFRDC in nearly a decade. The Institute will ensure Homeland Security and other federal, state and local agencies working on issues related to the mission have access to an independent resource that uses a complex systems engineering approach.

The Institute will operate at the highest levels of classification as they conduct a variety of studies that could range from a 30-day analysis to a rigorous long-range study of 12 months or more. To help set priorities and guide investments, the Institute will play a key role in providing critical analysis and decision support for assessing, analyzing, and mitigating homeland security threats, vulnerabilities, and risks.

For more information on all of GW’s homeland security initiatives, please visit: www.homelandsecurity.gwu.edu or call 202-994-2437.

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Posted: June 8, 2004