CBP is Developing ACE on an Accelerated Schedule, Including Cargo Release
During a recent interview with Broker Power, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials provided an update on ACE, including Cargo Release, the 24 groups of high priority ACE entry summary edits wanted by the trade, Post Summary Correction functionality, the deployment of M1, the document imaging system, etc.
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This is Part IV of a multipart series of summaries on the interview and discusses the accelerated development schedule of ACE and Cargo Release.
ACE on Accelerated Schedule, is Rated a “Moderately High Risk” Investment
In March 2010, the Department of Homeland Security Chief Information Office (CIO) designated the government’s investment in the ACE program as a 2 (on a scale of 1-5)2; therefore ACE was considered a “moderately high risk” investment, which required DHS to re-evaluate its development. The CIO evaluation that was reported on December 29, 2010 continues to rate ACE, as an investment, as a 2.
High risk and moderately high risk IT projects are generally put into one of three groupings: (1) cancel the program; (2) reduce funding; or (3) accelerate development. CBP was publically notified that ACE was designated in the most favorable grouping available, as an accelerated program, and was put on an accelerated development schedule.
(The U.S. government considers ACE to be a high-priority project. Congress has appropriated and released $2.91 billion for ACE and ITDS. Of this amount, $2.84 billion has been obligated and $2.75 billion has been expended as of January 31, 2011.)
CBP to Deliver Each ACE Functionality w/in 6 Mos of Contract Award
Being on an accelerated development schedule requires CBP to deliver a piece of ACE functionality within 6 months of the contract being awarded. According to CBP sources, ACE’s program timeline is now in line with the expectations for an accelerated program.
ACE Cargo Release to be Accelerated, Business Requirements due in April
CBP recently looked at the requirements to define the Cargo Release process, which will be developed on the accelerated schedule. The ACE Business Office2 and Office of Information and Technology (OIT) advisors are partnering on developing its business requirements (operational and technical).
Work is currently underway with participating government agencies (PGAs) and the trade community to revalidate previously gathered requirements, map the requirements against the ITDS Concept of Operations (ConOps) and identify any gaps that need to be addressed.
This work is expected to be completed in April 2011, after which the business requirements will go to the OIT so that they can work on the technical requirements.
(Note that in December 2010, Trade Support Network committees and subcommittees met to review previously submitted Great Idea Forms (GIFs) as part CBP’s cargo release re-validation effort. See ITT’s Online Archives or 03/02/11 news, 11030258, for BP summary.)
Each Piece of Cargo Release Functionality to be Deployed w/in 6 Mos of Award
CBP is looking at developing and deploying pieces of functionality within a time period of no later than six months each, depending on the size and complexity of what they are developing. As a result, the Cargo Release segment is planned to be deployed in pieces and CBP hopes to deliver the first piece of Cargo Release functionality in six months of its contract award.
Meetings with stakeholders (PGAs, the trade, and CBP users) are underway to validate functionality and ensure a harmonized approach from all vantage points.
Cargo Release to Deliver Admissibility and Support ITDS/PGA Enhancements
Cargo Release focuses on the admissibility of imported articles and their release into the commerce of the U.S. in coordination with PGAs and the trade. Cargo Release will provide for the collection of additional data elements to support PGAs, as well as CBP. It includes ITDS/PGA admissibility functionality; filing of release data and corresponding responses; etc.
(CBP officials stated at TradeWatch 2011 on February 17, 2011 that the full deployment of Cargo Release under an accelerated schedule is targeted to be 1 1/2 - 2 years away.)
CBP’s Proposed FY 2012 Budget Allocates $20M for Cargo Release
Under the proposed budget, CBP would allocate $20 million to support the design and development of Cargo Release functionality in ACE. According to CBP, this funding, combined with carryover funds, would allow a useful segment to be completed providing ACE users with a new operational capability.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 02/16/11 news, 11021629, for BP summary of CBP’s FY 2012 budget request, which includes details on Cargo Release funding.)
ACE Business Office/OIT to Continue to Work Together on Cargo Release
The ACE Business Office and OIT will continue to work together to build out Cargo Release and will collaborate on building future pieces of the system.
(Note that CBP previously stated that M1 (e-Manifest: Ocean and Rail) is likely to be their last big functionality release. CBP officials recently stated that the M1 pilot has been put “on hold” due to contractor issues. CBP is evaluating its options for M1 contracts. See ITT’s Online Archives or 11/12/10 news, 10111226, for BP summary.)
11 is high risk, 2 is moderately high risk, 3 is medium risk, 4 is moderately low risk, 5 is low risk.
2Prior to the CIO’s risk designation for ACE, the Assistant Commissioner of OIT had ordered two independent consulting reviews of ACE. Out of those reviews came a set of recommendations, including a recommendation to separate the business focus of the program from the technical design and build phase of the program.
From those reviews, Dan Baldwin was named as the ACE Executive Business Owner and the ACE Business Office was created in April to help Baldwin meet the recommendations for moving ACE forward. This moved the business component of ACE from the Office of Information and Technology to the Office of International Trade (OT). The ACE Business Office took some of the business resources that were within the OIT and moved them over to the OT ACE Business Office.
In August 2010, Cindy Allen was brought on to lead the Office as the new ACE Executive Director. At the same time, Linda Jacksta was named as the Cargo Systems Program Office Executive Director -- leading the effort from the technology standpoint.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 06/26/09 news, 09062610, for BP summary of CBP announcing Baldwin was named the ACE Executive Business Owner. See ITT’s Online Archives or 08/05/10 news, 10080506, for BP summary of CBP announcing Allen was named the ACE Executive Director.
ITDashboard information on ACE risk rating is available here.
ITDashboard information on ACE cost summary is available here.