DHS Budgeting Decrease in ACE Funding for FY17

With the Automated Commercial Environment set to operate at full operational capacity, resulting in lower expected sustainment costs for ACE, the Department of Homeland Security is requesting $83.9 million to maintain ACE next fiscal year, $29.2 million less than DHS received for the program in fiscal 2016, according to the department’s fiscal 2016 budget request released Feb. 9 (here). “In FY 2017 ACE will be operating at full operational capacity with the Automated Commercial System (ACS) being decommissioned, thereby requiring less overall sustainment costs for the program,” DHS also asked for $118.1 million to maintain its Automated Targeting System for fiscal 2017, $3.8 million more than what was given for the preceding year.

DHS’ budget submission also requests $18.7 million more for revenue modernization than the $20 million appropriated in fiscal 2016. In an effort to transition away from manually transacted revenue processes, the department said this money would be directed toward developing and incorporating electronic payment capabilities into collection processes like mobile apps and kiosks.

Overall, CBP is budgeting $11.9 billion in discretionary funds for fiscal 2017, about $600 million more than the fiscal 2016-distributed amount. Meanwhile, DHS is budgeting $47.3 billion in discretionary dollars, about $1.9 billion greater than funds provided for the current fiscal year.

DHS is also seeking to add to CBP's operations and support, asking for $11.3 billion, $659.9 million more than the fiscal 2016-appropriated amount, and asked for $96.3 million for global entry, $4.5 million more than the amount doled out for fiscal 2016. CBP requested $9.4 million for CBP services at user fee facilities for fiscal 2017, roughly the same as the current appropriated amount. But CBP requested a $50.4 million decrease in procurement, construction, and improvement funding, down from the $373.7 million given to the agency this fiscal year. Furthermore, customs asked for $18.7 million more for Animal & Plant Health Inspection Services, up from the $515.8 million appropriation for fiscal 2016.