CBP Reports to Congress on ACE for Second Quarter FY 2009, ACE Re-Planning Activities are Ongoing

CBP's report describes ACE accomplishments, challenges, fiscal status, and future program milestones.

ACE Program Assessment

CBP provides the following ACE program assessment for the second quarter for FY 2009 (see report for details):

CBP Testing M1 Software to Identify and Correct Defects before Deployment

Progress continues on efforts to deliver M1 (e-Manifest: Ocean and Rail). M1 will impact more than 15,000 CBP and PGA end users. CBP states that it is imperative that the M1 functionality works when fielded; therefore, CBP will continue to test the software to identify and correct defects before deployment.

CBP sources recently stated that they do not yet have a new M1 deployment date, but will provide one when they do.

ESAR A2.3 is Being Broken Down into Small Drops

The ESAR A2.3 drop (Remaining Entry Summary Types) is being broken down into smaller, more manageable sub-drops, to minimize risk and deliver capabilities to the field faster.

AD/CV entries drop targeted for January2010. The first sub-drop (ESAR A2.3.1a) is scheduled for delivery in mid-January 2010 and will incorporate processing for Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duty entries (entry type 03) into ACE.

All remaining entry types will be deployed incrementally via the same approach. Use of ACE for filing entry summaries will not be made mandatory until all A2.3 are implemented.

M2.1 Capabilities Have been Defined, Development Team Assembled

Requirements for M2.1 (e-Manifest: Air) capabilities have been defined and the development team assembled. M2.1 is currently scheduled to deploy in the spring of 2010. As previously reported, all work has stopped on M2.2 (Full Multi-Modal Manifest) capabilities; however, planning continues for M2.3 (Cargo Release) capabilities.

Re-Planning Activities are Ongoing Due to M1 Delay, Etc.

ACE re-planning activities are ongoing and remain a top priority for the agency. Program priorities, direction, schedule and cost estimates are being re-evaluated on the basis of the ripple effect caused by the M1 delay; efforts to increase program efficiency and effectiveness; agency and Departmental priorities; and updated cost and schedule estimates to design, develop and deliver future planned ACE releases.

CBP Formed CBP/PGA Board to Strengthen ITDS Integration Efforts

CBP formed the CBP/PGA Cargo Process Integration Board to strengthen ITDS integration efforts by streamlining the review and approval process for interagency agreements. The board will serve as the primary reviewer of PGA interagency agreements, such as memoranda of understanding and concepts of operations (CONOPS).

Selected ACE Accomplishments

CBP lists the following ACE accomplishments for the second quarter of FY 2009 (partial list):

Approved CONOPS for IRS, NMFS and DOT

The CBP/PGA Cargo Process Integration Board approved the CONOPS submitted by the Internal Revenue Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Department of Transportation and recommended signature approval from CBP Assistant Commissioners.

Published ESAR A2.2 Deployment Schedule

CBP published the ESAR A2.2 deployment Federal Register notice, which details the schedule for expanding ACE entry summary filing for entry types 01 and 11 to all U.S. ports.

(ESAR A2.2, which was deployed on April 12, 2009, allowed for the filing and processing of formal (type 01) and informal (type 11) entry summaries for those who volunteered to submit such entry summaries in ACE (beginning with the Port of Buffalo). ACE entry summary filing capabilities have since been deployed at all ports. It also included certain portal account changes for all ACE accounts, such as allowing importers (and brokers if granted cross account access) to respond to certain CBP forms via the ACE portal.)

Conducted Port Briefings on M1 and ESAR A2.2

During February 2009, CBP conducted port leadership information briefings for port leadership and field readiness personnel in Buffalo, New York; Chicago, Illinois; Laredo, Texas; and Long Beach, California. These sessions provided field personnel with detailed information regarding M1 and A2.2 functionality.

(See CBP's report for additional details, information on open GAO recommendations, the schedule outlook, PGA integration schedules, etc.)

(See ITT's Online Archives or 08/27/09 news 09082705, for BP summary of CBP, other government agencies, and COAC members discussion of ACE's status at the August 5th COAC meeting.)

ACE quarterly report (posted 08/26/09, dated 08/20/09) available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/automated/modernization/ace/quarterly_reports/ace_rpt_09.ctt/ace_rpt_09.pdf