Trade Hopeful ACE Momentum to Continue Under Acting CBP Commissioner
Trade and other sources state that U.S. Customs and Border Protection could maintain its momentum in the development of the Automated Commercial Environment, even without a Presidential appointee as Commissioner.
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Defined schedule, etc. ACE development is already on the fast track as a government “moderately high risk” IT investment, with specific deadlines for segment completion. Sources add that the Federal Government views CBP’s recent ACE development successes as a model for other federal IT programs, and supports its successful conclusion.
High level DHS support. Sources also report that CBP’s ACE development efforts have a high level of support within the Department of Homeland Security leadership.1
NCBFAA commitment. The trade’s interest in migrating to ACE is also critical to the political support needed to maintain the momentum of ACE development, sources state. Among others, the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) has come out in favor of its membership transitioning to ACE as soon as possible.
Aguilar’s interest in maintaining momentum. At a recent press event reported in a CBP tweet of a Journal of Commerce article, Acting Commissioner Aguilar stated that CBP is taking steps to ensure that the agency does not back away from any of the innovations of the past several years, adding that “the foundation has been set, now we continue to build on it.”
(Sources state that typically when a Presidential appointee leaves an agency's top post, the agency moves into a ‘status quo’ state and is less innovative and success-driven. While this could still be CBP’s fate in 2012, the above factors make is possible for CBP to maintain momentum in a post-Bersin year.)
1The fact that Alan Bersin is in high-level public service at DHS is viewed as an opportunity to some government watchers, as he may be available for advice and consultation on ACE and other CBP issues.
(See ITT's Online Archives 10101308 for summary of DHS finding that ACE is a moderately high risk investment.
See ITT's Online Archives 11122008 for summary of NCBFAA saying it is urgent and desirable for Customs brokers to join ACE now.
See ITT's Online Archives 12010301 for summary stating that Alan Bersin was appointed DHS Assistant Secretary of International Affairs, and that David Aguilar was Acting CBP Commissioner.)