Noem’s $100K Sign‑Off Rule Appears to Push DHS Contracts Just Under the Threshold

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s June directive requiring her personal approval for any Department of Homeland Security (DHS) obligation above $100,000 has coincided with an unusual cluster of contracts awarded just below that ceiling. A watchdog review of federal procurement records found 11 DHS awards between $99,999 and $99,999.99 from August onward, a striking uptick given the small number of such near‑threshold deals in prior years.

The analysis—based on public contracting data compiled by the Project On Government Oversight (POGO)—shows five of the near‑threshold awards went to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and one to Border Patrol. Observers say the concentration of contracts just below $100,000 suggests agencies may be adjusting procurement to avoid the new sign‑off requirement.

Notable near‑threshold contracts

POGO flagged several specific awards in the narrow band under $100,000, including:

• Twin $99,999 training contracts to Team Carney, issued in August and September.
• A $99,999.99 Secret Service order to MacGyver Solutions for Polaris 1000 all‑terrain vehicles in September.
• A $99,999.96 Border Patrol purchase from Quantico Tactical described as for "chemical munitions."
• A $99,999.98 ICE technology award to Impres Technology Solutions for "AI‑driven analytics."
• A $99,999.99 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services agreement with Palantir Technologies in October for a short, initial phase of a "vetting of wedding‑based schemes (VOWS)" platform.

POGO notes that small, "foot‑in‑the‑door" contracts can position vendors to win significantly larger follow‑on work.

Tricia McLaughlin, a DHS assistant secretary and a close aide to Secretary Noem, defended the purchases, saying they were for "routine operational needs." McLaughlin added that "under Secretary Noem’s leadership, DHS is rooting out waste, fraud and abuse, and is reprioritizing appropriated dollars—saving taxpayers more than $13.2 billion in her first seven months."

Critics raise concerns about delays and conflicts

Critics counter that the $100,000 sign‑off rule has slowed emergency spending. Lawmakers and agency officials have publicly complained about delayed disaster aid: one senator placed a hold on DHS nominees over stalled hurricane assistance, and another criticized grants being "slow‑walked." Senior FEMA officials and the agency’s search‑and‑rescue chief also expressed frustration at waiting for approvals on what they described as "mission‑critical" spending.

The secretary’s broader procurement choices have also attracted scrutiny. Democrats have questioned DHS purchases of two used Gulfstream G700 jets—reported to cost roughly $172 million—for senior official travel, and there are allegations that expedited local projects have benefited associates of senior advisers. POGO’s findings come shortly after reporting that Noem and several close allies faced conflict‑of‑interest questions related to a large border advertising campaign.

DHS and the contractors identified in the watchdog review were contacted for comment.