The DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is leading the Integrated Product Team (IPT) effort to coordinate department-wide research and development (R&D) and ensure that resources are focused to address DHS mission needs. 

Unifying Research and Development

The initial IPTs align to core DHS missions and address the following areas: aviation security, biological threat, counterterrorism, border security, and cyber security. In addition, sub-IPTs will be created to address key issues such as resilience. S&T will also continue its support for first responders through the First Responder Resource Group.

As directed by Secretary Jeh Johnson, S&T leads the IPT effort that supports the Secretary’s Unity of Effort initiative; the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review; and S&T’s visionary goals, investments, and Strategic Plan. 

The IPT process brings together resources from across the DHS components, S&T and DHS headquarters. Together, they identify capability gaps and find viable technologies that close those gaps and address components’ challenges.  S&T and headquarters then review and approve these priorities for a final R&D plan for the department. This ultimately allows DHS to ensure that effective solutions make it to the front lines.

Integrated Product Teams' FY16 Report

At the conclusion of the fiscal year 2016 IPT process, the Science and Technology Directorate developed a final report to capture the process and methodology used to conduct the IPTs as well as the technological capability gaps and high priority technology solutions collected from operational components who sat on each IPT. Because of the sensitivity of DHS mission areas, the department is releasing an abbreviated version of the report to share the efforts DHS is making to coordinate its R&D and how it is addressing priority homeland security technological needs. This report will be developed annually, at the conclusion of each IPT cycle.