CBP Releases its June 30, 2005 Quarterly Report to Congress on ACE
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has recently posted to its Web site its quarterly report on the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) entitled Report to Congress: The Automated Commercial Environment. This report is dated June 30, 2005 and covers the April 1, 2005 - June 30, 2005 period.
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CBP states that this report provides a "snapshot" of current program status, highlighting recent accomplishments, challenges, cost and schedule status, and near-term milestones.
CBP notes that this report also addresses the ongoing CBP efforts to support ACE expansion if required, and in engaging other Government agencies to participate in ACE/International Trade Data System (ITDS).
CBP Efforts to Address Open GAO Recommendations
According to CBP, it has taken the following actions regarding several open Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommendations:
Use of ACE infrastructure for DHS. CBP states that, to date, no expenditures have been planned for ACE to support other homeland security applications. However, through the ITDS initiative, CBP states that it continues to coordinate with other Federal agencies to explore areas where ACE can be expanded and integrated where it makes sense to do so, most prominently with the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) program.
CBP states that it continues to work with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on a Freight Assessment System pilot that will screen cargo on domestic air passenger flights. Technical and enterprise requirements have been identified for the pilot project, which is targeted to begin in winter 2006, and will initially run on a limited number of air carriers. TSA is providing $3 million for work on TSA-unique ACE requirements definition through a reimbursable agreement with CBP.
Define measures, and collect and use associated metrics to determine whether program management improvements are successful. CBP states that its Modernization Office has the processes, analysis and reporting mechanisms, management forums, and executive bodies in place to effectively manage the program, including weekly program assessments and monthly Program Management reviews.
Immediately develop and implement a Human Capital Management (HCM) strategy. CBP states that its Office of Information Technology (OIT) implemented the initial phase of its reorganization in December 2004 and work to further improve the organization structure was concluded June 30, 2005.
CBP states that OIT is expanding on the Modernization Office successes by developing an enterprise-level Strategic HCM Plan. The Modernization Office will be subsumed by this larger vision and create the foundation for the OIT program.
Define and implement an ACE program accountability framework. CBP states that its Modernization Office followed its established processes to balance quality, cost, and schedule objectives. Acknowledging the six expected outcomes GAO detailed as part of this recommendation, CBP is building on the existing program management foundation and OIT reorganization to further define and enhance its accountability framework. This work will be accomplished in conjunction with the fiscal year (FY) 2006 Expenditure Plan review and approval process.
Develop and implement a cost-estimating program. CBP notes that its Modernization Office has established a disciplined cost-estimating process. According to CBP, GAO has reported that its independent cost estimates either satisfied or partially satisfied all of the Software Engineering Institute's criteria for cost estimating. Additionally, the GAO found that the Modernization Office implemented its recommendation that the FY05 CBP Modernization Expenditure Plan be based on cost estimates that are reconciled with independent cost estimates. The Modernization Office is coordinating with GAO to determine what additional steps are required to fully close this recommendation.
Report quarterly to Congress on efforts to address open GAO recommendations. CBP states that its Modernization Office has been providing quarterly reports on ACE since November 2002.
ACE Schedule
CBP states that its Modernization Office of reviewing development plans for forthcoming ACE releases. In particular, the Modernization Office is examining options for tightening the integration among cargo, summary processing, and screening & targeting (S&T) tools, as well as accelerating completion of key cargo security capabilities.
CBP states that it will continue its efforts to deliver ACE better, sooner, at less cost, while ensuring ACE enhances supply chain security, facilitates trade, and meets the needs of frontline officers and the trade community.
Further costs reductions are foreseen by integrating and leveraging existing OIT personnel through the OIT reorganization. In addition, CBP is examining ways to prioritize and reduce the number of legacy system enhancements so that government resources can be freed to contribute to development and deployment of ACE capabilities. Increased involvement of CBP personnel in ACE development will result in clearer direction to the prime contractor, increasing program efficiency, and enhancing system quality.
Selected ACE Accomplishments for April 1, 2005 - June 30, 2005
S1 critical design review and test readiness review completed. On April 29, 2005, CBP provided conditional approval of the completed design, development, testing, and verification for S1 (Screening Foundation) capabilities in an initial phase of the Targeting Foundation.
Carriers certified for electronic manifest. As of June 13, 2005, CBP had certified six carriers to submit electronic manifests via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Five service centers that provide support to carriers have also been certified. CBP has received nearly 40 letters of intent from companies that intend to achieve EDI certification.
National account manager conference. Thirty-one CBP National Account Managers held a two-day conference on April 13-14, 2005 to review the current status of ACE, trade outreach goals, and provide a demonstration of the ACE Secure Data Portal.
TSN established Cross-Border Harmonization Sub-Committee. In conjunction with ITDS, the Trade Support Network (TSN) established the Cross-Border Harmonization Sub-Committee (CBHSC) to harmonize Canadian and U.S. requirements under the Shared Border Accord.
ITDS standard data set completed. The latest version of the ITDS standard data set (SDS) has been completed, which harmonized over 20 participating government agency data requirements into one standard data set. (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/21/05 news, 05102105, for BP summary of the ITDS SDS.)
June 30, 2005 ACE quarterly report available at