In Washington, the Dept. of Homeland Security, which incorporated about 20 separate agencies only 15 months ago, is still in its organizational youth. But it is huge, with 180,000 workers and a $36.5-billion budget this year. President Bush wants to see that funding rise 10% for fiscal 2005, to $40.2 billion.
The federal security effort has produced some contracts for design and construction firms, particularly in reconfiguring airport terminals and assessing surface and maritime transport threats. But there hasnt been as much business as bullish industry forecasters had hoped.