DHS Inspector General Releases Report on CBP Stimulus Expenses

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has used its allotment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 for the authorized purposes, a Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (OIG) report found. The report also concluded that CBP, the General Services Administration, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers established adequate oversight and monitoring processes and procedures over the construction and alteration projects, said the OIG.

Will Return More Than $35 Million

As of October 4, 2011, CBP reported obligations of $375,453,047, and an unobligated balance of its ARRA appropriation of $44,546,953. CBP indicated it would return $35,881,420 of unobligated funds to the U.S. Treasury, and that it would retain $8,665,533 for reconstruction projects if needed. The report doesn't present any recommendations and includes a list of the projects funded by the stimulus money.

All but Two Construction Projects Underway

According to the report, the CBP May 15, 2009, program-specific spending plan said it would use $374 million to construct new facilities at 23 existing CBP-owned ports and $25 million to repair and alter a minimum of 10 additional ports. The plan also included $21 million for a Program Management and Reporting System (PMRS) to aid in managing the construction projects. On April 12, 2010, CBP submitted a revised plan that estimated about $389 million for design, construction, contingency, program support, and project build-out for 33 new port projects. Funding for the 10 additional construction projects became available when CBP learned that the costs of the initial 23 projects were lower than estimated. All planned construction and repair projects are underway except for construction projects at Morses Line, Vermont, and Whitetail, Montana.