Homeland Security replaces head of troubled border program

After coming under heavy congressional fire for technical problems and cost overruns surrounding efforts to build virtual fencing along the nation's borders, the Homeland Security Department has replaced the official in charge of the multibillion-dollar program, CongressDaily has learned.

Sources on and off the Hill said they hope the removal of Gregory Giddens as chief of the Secure Border Initiative will breathe new life into the troubled program.

The most problem-plagued program that Giddens managed was SBInet, which is focused on using both technology and traditional fencing to secure the nation's borders.

For congressional aides, the likelihood Giddens would be removed became clearer when the department stopped sending him to Capitol Hill to testify about SBInet and instead sent top Customs and Border Protection officials.

"Given the problems with the program and the spotlight on it I don't think you'll find a lot of people surprised about them pulling Greg," a congressional aide said. "The program has suffered public blows and they want a fresh start, particularly as they transition it to the next president."

Sources said they were not aware of anything improper that Giddens did. He has been named executive director for facilities management and engineering in CBP's finance office.

The department has named Mark Borkowski as the new executive director for the Secure Border Initiative.

Borkowski has been serving as a program manager for the U.S. Border Patrol and has 25 years of experience in large systems acquisitions and program management for NASA and the Air Force, according to CBP.

"I've heard through the grapevine that's he's a good fixer," an industry source said of Borkowski.

Sources said the decision to give Borkowski the job likely means that Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar is taking more control of the program to ensure it meets the needs of agents in the field.

"On balance, I want to think that it will be very good for the program simply because whoever now comes in can have an opportunity to address the issues that have seemed to make GAO and Congress so disgruntled," another industry source said.

"Sometimes it's good to get a new coach on the team even though there might not be anything wrong with the old coach."

CBP Deputy Commissioner Jayson Ahern praised Giddens in a statement, saying he developed a comprehensive border security strategic plan and built up the SBI program office "to design and deploy the technological systems, tactical infrastructure, and transportation services required to gain control of our borders."

Congressional oversight committees will likely give Borkowski little time to settle into his new post before they pepper him with questions and outline their expectations. Lawmakers will let him know that patience is running thin to correct deficiencies.

"SBInet has encountered numerous setbacks ... I plan to hold the department accountable for getting SBInet back on track and securing our borders," said House Homeland Security Border Subcommittee Chairwoman Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif.

GAO released a report Monday with blistering criticism of SBInet, along with summaries of several reviews it has made of the program.

"Important aspects of SBInet remain ambiguous and in a continued state of flux, making it unclear and uncertain what technology capabilities will be delivered, when and where they will be delivered, and how they will be delivered," GAO said.

"The absence of clarity and stability in these key aspects of SBInet impairs the ability of the Congress to oversee the program and hold DHS accountable for program results, and it hampers DHS's ability to measure program progress," GAO added.

Giddens did not respond to a request for comment.