Reimbursable Services Program (RSP) 2017 Open Period for Applications

On February 1, 2017, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the 2017 open period for applications under the Reimbursable Services Program. As a reminder, letters of application submitted via e-mail to RSP@cbp.dhs.gov through February 28, 2017 will begin the evaluation process in March 2017, with subsequent evaluations beginning in July and November, as described in the table below.

The Reimbursable Services Program enables partnerships between CBP and private sector or government entities, allowing CBP to provide additional inspection services upon the request of stakeholders.

These services can include customs, immigration, agricultural processing, border security and support at any facility where CBP provides or will provide services, and may cover costs such as salaries, benefits, overtime expenses, administration, and transportation costs. Agreement may not unduly and permanently impact existing services.

The Cross-Border Trade Enhancement Act, 2016, signed into law on December 16, 2016, expands CBP’s public-private partnership authority by:

• Making CBP’s ability to enter into Service Fee Agreements permanent;
• Removing the annual limit on the number of agreements at air ports of entry;
• Permitting for agreements at any facility in which CBP provides, or will provide services; and
• Allowing small air ports of entry with fewer than 100,000 international passenger arrivals annually to offset CBP for the salaries and expenses of up to five full-time officers.      

Proposals will be evaluated based on their ability to satisfy the Letter of Application Requirements, Evaluation Criteria, and Program Requirements posted on CBP.gov/RSP. 

If possible, interested applicants are encouraged to coordinate with the affected CBP Field Office and ports of entry in developing their letters of application.

Thank you for continued CBP support and interest in the Reimbursable Services Program.