---
kind: "section"
citation: "6 U.S.C. § 195"
title: "6"
title_heading: "Domestic Security"
number: "195"
heading: "Office for Interoperability and Compatibility"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/6/195"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — Homeland Security Organization"
  - "Subchapter III — Science and Technology in Support of Homeland Security"
---

# §195. Office for Interoperability and Compatibility

- (a) **Clarification of responsibilities—** The [Director](/usc/6/677a.md?p=3) of the Office for Interoperability and Compatibility shall—
  - (1) assist the [Secretary](/usc/6/101.md?p=16) in developing and implementing the science and technology aspects of the program described in subparagraphs (D), (E), (F), and (G) of [section 194(a)(1) of this title](/usc/6/194.md?p=a-1);
  - (2) in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and other Federal [departments](/usc/6/101.md?p=5) and [agencies](/usc/6/671.md?p=1) with responsibility for standards, support the creation of national [voluntary](/usc/6/671.md?p=6-A) consensus standards for interoperable [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) communications;
  - (3) establish a comprehensive research, development, testing, and evaluation program for improving interoperable [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) communications;
  - (4) establish, in coordination with the [Director](/usc/6/677a.md?p=3) for [Emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) Communications,[^1] requirements for interoperable [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) communications capabilities, which shall be nonproprietary where standards for such capabilities exist, for all public safety radio and data communications systems and equipment purchased using [homeland](/usc/6/101.md?p=1) security assistance administered by the [Department](/usc/6/101.md?p=5), excluding any alert and warning device, technology, or system;
  - (5) carry out the [Department](/usc/6/101.md?p=5)’s responsibilities and authorities relating to research, development, testing, evaluation, or standards-related elements of the SAFECOM Program;
  - (6) evaluate and assess new technology in real-world environments to achieve interoperable [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) communications capabilities;
  - (7) encourage more efficient use of existing resources, including equipment, to achieve interoperable [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) communications capabilities;
  - (8) test public safety communications systems that are less prone to failure, support new nonvoice services, use spectrum more efficiently, and cost less than existing systems;
  - (9) coordinate with the private sector to develop solutions to improve [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) communications capabilities and achieve interoperable [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) communications capabilities; and
  - (10) conduct pilot projects, in coordination with the [Director](/usc/6/677a.md?p=3) for [Emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) Communications,[^1] to test and demonstrate technologies, including data and video, that enhance—
    - (A) the ability of [emergency response providers](/usc/6/101.md?p=6) and relevant government officials to continue to communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of [terrorism](/usc/6/101.md?p=18), and other man-made disasters; and
    - (B) interoperable [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) communications capabilities.
- (b) **Coordination—** The [Director](/usc/6/677a.md?p=3) of the Office for Interoperability and Compatibility shall coordinate with the [Director](/usc/6/677a.md?p=3) for [Emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) Communications[^1] with respect to the SAFECOM program.
- (c) **Sufficiency of resources—** The [Secretary](/usc/6/101.md?p=16) shall provide the Office for Interoperability and Compatibility the resources and staff necessary to carry out the responsibilities under this section.

## Footnotes

[^1]: See Change of Name note below.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 107–296, title III, § 314, as added Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 672(a), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1441.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Change of Name

Reference to Director for Emergency Communications deemed to be a reference to Assistant Director for Emergency Communications, see section 2(c)(2) of Pub. L. 115–278, set out as a note under section 571 of this title.