SOO_RFQ.docx

Statement of Objectives for Cargo Pre-Inspection Pilot

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations Buffalo Field Office

Background The Beyond the Border Action Plan articulates a joint United States – Canadian long-term vision for security and economic cooperation, committing our countries to work together to address threats within, at, and away from our border while facilitating lawful trade and travel.

The U.S.-Canadian border is the world’s longest at more than 5,500 miles. On a typical day, 350,000 people cross our northern border at 120 land ports of entry, 30 rail crossings, or via ferries and small vessels. It also is the most economically vibrant border in the world. In 2010, total trade investment between our two nations topped $1 trillion. Nearly $1 million in goods and services cross the border every minute.

In February of 2014, the Buffalo Field Office and the Port of Buffalo successfully implemented the Phase II portion of the "Beyond the Border" Cargo Pre-inspection pilot. Phase I began in Blaine, WA and the pilot is intended to measure the impact on commercial processing when cargo is inspected and processed in Canada. Phase II has the objective to test the stated goal of reducing wait times and border congestion.

The purpose of this task is to analyze the impact of the Cargo Pre-Inspection Pilot and obtain substantive data illustrating the realized effects, as noted in reduced wait-time and congestion of commercial cargo at the Buffalo, Peace Bridge Port of Entry (POE).

Scope Vendor shall perform the following tasks described in this SOO:

1. Outcomes:

a. Analysis of the Pilot’s impact on commercial cargo wait-time and traffic congestion at the Buffalo POE. The report shall include an analysis of the current staffing allocated to the Pilot operations, recommendation for maximizing positive attributes, analysis of facility utilization dedicated to Pilot Program, and analysis of the current infrastructure limitations post-primary and its effect on pre-inspection, and analysis of potential vulnerabilities associated with cargo pre-inspection.

b. Summary report of Non-Pilot processing of cargo, analyzing wait-time and traffic congestion, and recommendations for improved metrics and data collection.

c. Summary reports of process, wait-time, and traffic congestion data during the peak travel season of July or August and during the non-peak travel season of a time after September 1, 2014. The second summary report shall include recommendations regarding existing metrics.

d. Production of a modeling program with statistical results and visual representation of effects of full implementation of cargo pre-inspection at the Buffalo POE that must be compatible with currently utilized CBP authorized software. This program shall at a minimum allow for multi-scenario comparisons (i.e. traffic volume including POV, COV and bus traffic, optimal number of CBP exit lanes given various pre-inspection lanes, pre-inspection processing data, model with existing primary inspection lanes with improved IT capabilities and elimination of cash collections), isolation of individual factors, and varying seasons. Modeling will also need to represent current post primary traffic congestion and infrastructure limitations such as the lack of VACIS staging capability where trucks are held on primary (baseline data of the current operations would be required for the modeling).

e. Analysis of release booth operations and processing times.

Deliverables Vendor shall provide all deliverables including point papers, white papers, briefings, presentations, background studies and interim reports. All reports should be classified as Law Enforcement Sensitive and would be restricted from public disclosure. Unless otherwise specified in this SOO, an electronic draft of major deliverables shall be provided 28 calendar days prior to the due date for a 10 calendar day review and comment period by the government. This will allow for additional coordination suggestions, expanded points-of-contact to be identified, and a robust inclusion of comments for subject matter experts within the federal government. Major deliverables are final reports and presentations, as opposed to briefs, memos, whitepapers and program plans, which may be reviewed by the sponsor using a less formal process. An unclassified abstract, 100 to 200 words in length, and at least five keywords shall accompany each major deliverable.

The nature and schedule of deliverables are provided in the table below:

Pilot Program Report

2 months after Period of Performance Test Model with statistical report

Final Modeling Program with final complete report

Other Contract Details Period of Performance The period of performance for this task is to begin in July 2014 through January 2015.

Place of Performance U.S. Customs and Border Protection Peace Bridge Plaza Buffalo, NY 14213

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Pre-Inspection Site (adjacent to the Fort Erie Nexus Enrollment Center located at 10 Central Ave, Fort Erie, ON L2A6G6, Canada) DHS-Furnished Facilities, Supplies, and Services None furnished for the services being performed under this SOO.

POINTS OF CONTACT

Will be announced on contract.

PARTICIPATING AGENCY INFORMATION

Specific Agency information is as follows:

Full Agency Name: DHS U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Buffalo Field Office

Full Agency Address: 300 Airborne Parkway, Suite 300, Buffalo, New York 14225