---
kind: "section"
citation: "6 U.S.C. § 193"
title: "6"
title_heading: "Domestic Security"
number: "193"
heading: "Technology clearinghouse to encourage and support innovative solutions to enhance homeland security"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/6/193"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — Homeland Security Organization"
  - "Subchapter III — Science and Technology in Support of Homeland Security"
---

# §193. Technology clearinghouse to encourage and support innovative solutions to enhance homeland security

- (a) **Establishment of program—** The [Secretary](/usc/6/101.md?p=16), acting through the Under [Secretary](/usc/6/101.md?p=16) for Science and Technology, shall establish and promote a program to encourage technological innovation in facilitating the mission of the [Department](/usc/6/101.md?p=5) (as described in [section 111 of this title](/usc/6/111.md)).
- (b) **Elements of program—** The program described in [subsection (a)](#a) shall include the following components:
  - (1) The establishment of a centralized Federal clearinghouse for information relating to technologies that would further the mission of the [Department](/usc/6/101.md?p=5) for dissemination, as appropriate, to Federal, [State](/usc/6/101.md?p=17), and [local government](/usc/6/101.md?p=13) and private sector [entities](/usc/6/301c.md?p=2) for additional review, purchase, or use.
  - (2) The issuance of announcements seeking unique and innovative technologies to advance the mission of the [Department](/usc/6/101.md?p=5).
  - (3) The establishment of a technical assistance team to assist in screening, as appropriate, proposals submitted to the [Secretary](/usc/6/101.md?p=16) (except as provided in [subsection (c)(2)](#c-2)) to assess the feasibility, scientific and technical merits, and estimated cost of such proposals, as appropriate.
  - (4) The provision of guidance, recommendations, and technical assistance, as appropriate, to assist Federal, [State](/usc/6/101.md?p=17), and [local government](/usc/6/101.md?p=13) and private sector efforts to evaluate and implement the use of technologies described in paragraph [(1)](#b-1) or [(2)](#b-2).
  - (5) The provision of information for persons seeking guidance on how to pursue proposals to develop or deploy technologies that would enhance [homeland](/usc/6/101.md?p=1) security, including information relating to Federal funding, regulation, or acquisition.
- (c) **Miscellaneous provisions—**
  - (1) **In general—** Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing the [Secretary](/usc/6/101.md?p=16) or the technical assistance team established under [subsection (b)(3)](#b-3) to set standards for technology to be used by the [Department](/usc/6/101.md?p=5), any other [executive agency](/usc/6/101.md?p=8), any [State](/usc/6/101.md?p=17) or [local government](/usc/6/101.md?p=13) [entity](/usc/6/301c.md?p=2), or any private sector [entity](/usc/6/301c.md?p=2).
  - (2) **Certain proposals—** The technical assistance team established under [subsection (b)(3)](#b-3) shall not consider or evaluate proposals submitted in response to a solicitation for offers for a pending procurement or for a specific [agency](/usc/6/671.md?p=1) requirement.
  - (3) **Coordination—** In carrying out this section, the [Secretary](/usc/6/101.md?p=16) shall coordinate with the Technical Support Working Group (organized under the April 1982 National Security Decision Directive Numbered 30).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 107–296, title III, § 313, Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2176.)