DHS science chief calls liquid explosives detection a priority

The Homeland Security Department's new chief of science and technology told lawmakers Wednesday he is accelerating efforts to find technology to prevent liquid explosives from being brought on planes, including offering companies special liability protections for their devices.

During a joint hearing of two House Homeland Security subcommittees, lawmakers questioned Jay Cohen, who took over the science and technology directorate last month, on why developing liquid explosives detection technology has not been done faster.

"It's been five years [since 9/11] and we do not have the technology to deal with liquid explosives, that's unacceptable," said House Homeland Security Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee ranking member Bill Pascrell, D-N.J. Interest in new detection devices heightened on Capitol Hill after a foiled bomb plot in London last month to take down U.S.-bound airliners using liquid explosives.

Cohen said he initiated a program Aug. 11 -- the day after the foiled plot was disclosed -- asking industry for proposals for detection devices. He said "over 40 proposals" came in. Within the next month, he added, the department will test the devices using 500 milliliter-sized bottles filled with liquid explosives that the government knows terrorists are likely to use.

He said the devices would also qualify for certification under the department's Safety Act program, which shields contractors from liability and lawsuits in the event that their technology does not prevent a terrorist attack. "Those that work we will put on the fast track in an acquisition program," he said.

Cohen noted that the department's security lab had been examining liquid explosives detection technology before the London plot was exposed. But he said he was "not satisfied" with the program. He cautioned, however, that technology and threats are always evolving. "The enemy is agile. The enemy is devious. The enemy is nefarious," he said. "And technology doesn't stand still just for us, it moves forward for those who would attack us. And where we would use technology for the good there are people who would use technology for the bad."

Lawmakers also expressed concern that the department's Safety Act implementation office, which is under Cohen, has been too slow in giving companies certification for their products. "When it comes down to protecting Americans, and we have technology that is out there, I don't want us to be the problem," House Homeland Security Management Subcommittee ranking member Kendrick Meek, D-Fla., told Cohen. "If you need [help], you need to say it."

Cohen said the office revised its application review and approval process in July. Last month, the office made its 100th certification. Cohen added that the department intends to give certification to technologies that industry uses under the first phase of the Secure Border Initiative, dubbed SBInet. Multiple industry teams are competing for that contract.

"I'm very comfortable in telling you that whoever the winning offerer will be that they will receive Safety Act protections," Cohen said.