Details of C-TPAT Portal's New "Adjusted" Validation Scorecard, Etc.

(A C-TPAT validation is a process through which the CBP C-TPAT program officials meet with Partner company representatives and visit selected domestic and foreign sites to verify supply chain security processes and procedures that a company voluntarily agrees to verify or perform under the auspices of the C-TPAT program. Validation visit findings are documented in a Validation report (which includes the Validation Scorecard) and is forwarded to the C-TPAT participant. The report findings may identify supply chain security actions or recommendations that need to be or could be implemented. If significant supply chain security weaknesses are found that are not corrected during the Validation report’s 90-day response period, a participant’s C-TPAT benefits may be suspended. If a company has its C-TPAT benefits suspended, C-TPAT will recommend that the company implement an action plan containing corrective actions to address specific supply chain security weaknesses.)

New “Adjusted Scorecard” Includes Points for Resolved Actions & Recommendations

As a result of Release 65, C-TPAT Partners have a new "Validation Summary" screen to view the original Validation Scorecard and new Adjusted Scorecard. The "Adjusted Scorecard" is built off the original Validation Scorecard. It returns partial points for required actions and recommendations that are resolved during the response period. For example, an original Validation Scorecard may have a score of 61%. If a Partner resolved actions or recommendations during the Validation Report response period for a 15% increase in their validation score, this increase will be reflected in an overall score of 76% on the new Adjusted Scorecard.

CBP notes that the Adjusted Scorecard returns full credit for all best practices. CBP also states that C-TPAT cannot generate an adjusted score for previous responses.

Revised Validation Response Page Asks Partners if Recommendations Were Implemented, Etc.

With this release, the validation "Response" page has been rewritten. This page provides the current status and instructions for C-TPAT Supply Chain Security Specialists (SCSS) and Partners. CBP states that "Recommendations" are now treated differently than "Actions Required." Partners are asked if they have implemented a Recommendation or not.

Partners will also upload their "Evidence of Implementation" to the Response page and criteria section. If an attachment is not needed, then the standard response information is still required.

If a partner decided not to implement a Recommendation they can identify and explain the reasons why they have chosen not to. No credit will be given for unimplemented Recommendations on the "Adjusted Scorecard."

Response Page is also "Tabbed," Has New Filters to Isolate Sections Not Yet Approved

Other changes on the rewritten Response page include that the responses are now "tabbed" for easier navigation. Tabs reflect the section of the report the "Action Required" or "Recommendation" came from. Expectations from the validation report are included at the top section as before. Also built into the new page are filters for an SCSS or partner to isolate only those sections that have not been approved.

(See ITT's Online Archives 11111417 for initial announcement of CBP's C-TPAT Portal Release 65.)

CBP Contact -- Mark Marker (202) 344-2915 charles.marker@associates.dhs.gov

C-TPAT validation process fact sheet is available here.

C-TPAT validation process frequently asked questions are available here.