Secure Border Trade Project:
The Secure Border Trade (SBT) Project implemented a comprehensive process to monitor the security of commercial supplies shipped to Mexico and finished goods returning to the United States. Commissioner Alan Bersin of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated the SBT was “The first A-to-Z solution that I have ever seen for the Border”.
To ensure their integrity, SBT shipments were subjected to live spatial analysis coupled with monitoring of advanced sensors. The overall project was validated by the Texas Transportation Institute (TAMU). The SBT completed over 35,000 “anomaly free” cross-border shipments.
Project 21:
Project 21 was a logical extension of the SBT. The acquired supply chain intelligence was coupled with ‘self reporting’ and segmentation of Trusted Trade shipments. The resulting Project 21 was designed specifically to enhance Port security and efficiency.
Project 21 was made possible through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) established between the U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the City of El Paso. SecureOrigins participated in the PPP through a contract with the City of El Paso authorizing Project 21 shipments and reporting anomalies to CBP. During the initial 6 months of Project 21, crossing times for Trusted Trade decreased from over 60 to 25 minutes.
Security – Segmentation – Transparency were the key principles that led to the success of Project-21. Security through video-camera surveillance, locking devices, RFID sensors, and GPS in-transit monitoring. Segmentation to allow trusted sourceshippers to use express lanes. Transparency based on comprehensive shipment data and the willingness of shippers to inform CBP of any shipment anomalies. Anomaly detection capabilities provided by Project-21 included: tractor-trailer separation; deviation from the authorized route; sudden shock or excessive acceleration; opening and closing of trailer door; excessive light in trailer; in-transit delays; malfunctioning of sensors; and, loss of GPS messages.
Results achieved by Project-21 were presented to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano by Texas Congressman Silvestre Reyes and El Paso Mayor John Cook in Washington DC.
The success of the Project-21 demonstration served as a milestone that led to an official Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of El Paso and CBP, and the first Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for the Border being awarded to the City of El Paso.
