In 2005, the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) was established to enhance and coordinate fed., state, and local efforts to combat nuclear smuggling domestically and abroad. DNDO was directed to develop, in coordination with the DoD, DoE, and the State Dept., an enhanced global nuclear detection architecture -- an integrated system of radiation detection equipment and interdiction activities. This testimony provides preliminary observations addressing: (1) the status of DNDO¿s efforts to develop a global nuclear detection architecture; (2) the challenges DNDO and other fed. agencies face in implementing the architecture; and (3) the costs of the programs that constitute the architecture. Includes recommendations. Charts and tables.

In April 2005, a Presidential Directive established the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) within the Department of Homeland Security to enhance and coordinate federal, state and local efforts to combat nuclear smuggling domestically and abroad. DNDO was directed to develop, in coordination with the departments of Defense, Energy, and State, an enhanced global nuclear detection architecture -- an integrated system of radiation detection equipment and interdiction activities. DNDO implements the domestic portion of the architecture while DOD, DOE and State are responsible for related programs outside the U.S. This testimony provides preliminary observations based on ongoing work addressing 1) the status of DNDO's efforts to develop a global nuclear detection architecture, 2) the challenges DNDO and other federal agencies face in implementing the architecture, and 3) the costs of the programs that constitute the architecture. This statement draws on prior GAO reviews of programs constituting the architecture, and GAO's work on strategic planning.

Nuclear Detection: Preliminary Observations on the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office's Efforts to Develop a Global Nuclear Detection Architecture

Nuclear Detection: Preliminary Observations on the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office's Efforts to Develop a Global Nuclear Detection Architecture

The Global Nuclear Detection Architecture (GNDA) is described as a worldwide network of sensors, telecommunications, and personnel, with the supporting information exchanges, programs, and protocols that serve to detect, analyze, and report on nuclear and radiological materials that are out of regulatory control. The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO), an office within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), coordinates the development of the GNDA with its federal partners. Performance Metrics for the Global Nuclear Detection Architecture considers how to develop performance measures and quantitative metrics that can be used to evaluate the overall effectiveness and report on progress toward meeting the goals of the GNDA. According to this report, two critical components are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the GNDA: a new strategic plan with outcome-based metrics and an analysis framework to enable assessment of outcome-based metrics. The GNDA is a complex system of systems meant to deter and detect attempts to unlawfully transport radiological or nuclear material. The recommendations of Performance Metrics for the Performance Metrics for the Global Nuclear Detection Architecture may be used to improve the GNDA strategic plan and the reporting of progress toward meeting its goals during subsequent review cycles.

The Global Nuclear Detection Architecture (GNDA) is a multi-layered system of detection technol., programs, and guidelines designed to enhance the nation¿s ability to detect and prevent a radiological or nuclear attack. Among its components are existing programs in nuclear detection operated by other fed. agencies and new programs put into place by the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO). Contents of this report: (1) Intro.: Fed. Efforts; DNDO; (2) What is the GNDA?: Layered Defense; Methodology and Metrics for Eval¿n.; Priority Setting; Interagency Coord¿n.; (3) Priorities and Funding Levels Within the GNDA; Balance Between Incremental and Transformational Changes to the GNDA; Long-Term Maint. of the GNDA; R&D Coord. Tables.