Department of Homeland Security Public Comment Reference Doc. DHS–2012–0026
HSAAC National Minority Technology Council Public Comment
October 16, 2012
Minority Technology Industry Statistics 1
US Census surveys identified over 65,000 employers who
The US Federal Department of Homeland Security, in order to facilitate
are minority owned and
public participation, is inviting public comment on the issues to be
provide technology services.
considered by the newly formed Homeland Security Academic Advisory
We employ over 500,000 and
Council. The National Minority Technology Council recognizes the vital
generate over $100 Billion in combined annual sales.
2
Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council – (HSAAC) Comments
The National Minority Technology Council represents over 9,000 minority technology companies
importance of the Presidential Policy Directive 8 (PPD–8): National Preparedness and the directive’s spirit of inclusion. There are new considerations the Council wishes to illuminate for the record regarding Research & Development, and the inductive relationships being forged with our minority technology company members, federal labs, and the venture
located in 40 Districts across
capital community. HSAAC has appropriately focused on minority student
the US. Our Registered
recruitment, retention, and degree relevance. The Council encourages
Members generate over $20
both DHS and Academe to include our industry as a relevant advisor and
Billion in sales every year.
partner for both national security and economic development.
1 2
BUILDING RELEVANCE IN OUR EDUCATION PROCESS
actively engage as vendors to the federal government. Our members are owners, community leaders, and, yes, minorities. Our members are often encouraged when an employee is hired by a federal agency, particularly when it is a position of authority. In turn this
At the heart of every set of strategic issues, a fundamental
fosters a culture of familiarity and trust.
tension between apparent
Message: Karl Cureton NMTC Chairman
opposites can be identified. Our
Our position is that partnerships
thought process for homeland
bring relevance and levels of
security is no exception. At the
excellence to the process. We
balance of a partnership between
welcome and encourage alliances
DHS and Academe are the many
and programs ranging from STEM,
stakeholders who make up the
Tradecraft, Research &
ecosystems of both parties.
Development to IT. Our work with
Germaine to the competitive
Federal Labs, and the new Policy
forces that create the effective
Directives aligning R&D and small
talent shortage projected by OPM
business, creates unbounded
for hiring, is the reality that industry
opportunities for planned
can and would play a vital role in
collaboration. I would ask readers
supporting DHS’s need to create a
to also consider companies that
pathway to federal employment.
engage in third-party internships.
Forging industry partnerships within
Trust in the innovation of small
the privileged walls of universities
business as a core buffer to
and the federal government, will
bureaucracy. Leverage the vital
create a strategic and inductive
role our members play as the first
source of new and diverse talent.
place of work for tens of thousands
Small Business is a willing partner,
of student. Let’s work together to
serving as our country’s first line of
build new strategic pathways to
defense in employee acquisition,
federal government employment.
training and orientation. It may
We stand ready to partner with
seem obtuse for an industry
DHS and Academe to make this
association to make comments
country a safer place for our
about the need for federal
citizens and visitors alike.
employees, but, again, here is the strategic tension realized. Karl Cureton
National Minority Technology Council
Our members are employers who
Chairman
operate technology companies. A
National Minority Technology Council
great number of our members
karl.cureton@nmtcmail.com
National Minority Technology Council
1616 Anderson Road McLean, VA 22102 www.nmtcouncil.org
Building Trusted Networks™
Department of Homeland Security Public Comment DHS-2012-0026 Office of Academic Engagement 245 Murray Lane SW. Washington, DC 20528–0440