U.S. eyes privatizing cargo security work

U.S. eyes privatizing cargo security work
By Audrey Hudson
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
March 21, 2006


Homeland Security officials are looking to have private companies validate the security procedures under which cargo travels from foreign ports into U.S. terminals.
The program, which would give speedier entry to U.S. ports to ships and suppliers that meet the security standards, is now in the hands of 80 Homeland Security inspectors who have to plow through more than 10,000 applicants.
Although Homeland Security plans to hire an additional 40 inspectors in the coming months, the department also is looking to outsource to private companies some of its duties, in particular the validation process, which has dragged for years and involves on-site inspections of ships and cargo abroad.
More than 5,800 companies currently get some shortcuts by being "certified." But only 1,545 have been "validated" to receive the full benefits of the program after first-hand inspections, such as fewer on-site checks at U.S. ports, said Jayson P. Ahern, assistant commissioner of field operations for Customs and Border Protection.
Mr. Ahern says the manpower shortage has the department exploring other options, including contracting the work to the private sector.
"I am not happy where our progress has been," Mr. Ahern told a House panel last week.
The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) was initiated after the September 11 attacks to secure the cargo chain from port to port. Companies that open their doors to full security inspections get fewer checks at ports of arrival and faster processing.
Although critical of the program's sluggish pace, Rep. Loretta Sanchez, California Democrat, endorsed the idea of outsourcing.

Mores @ http://tinyurl.com/okb49 THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Well yeah sure lets out source this as well. How about we find some ambitious enterprising fellows from the Mid-East and hire them.

Note: I'm still waiting for the Fed's to rent out the Pentagon to the UAE or other of our 'allies'!