§971 C–TPAT program management

Summary

The Secretary, through the Commissioner, must set up strong internal controls and records to run the C–TPAT program. They must create a 5-year plan with outcome goals and measures, an annual plan that matches resources to expected work, and a standard work program for staff to do certifications, validations, and revalidations while tracking hours spent on each review. They must keep a records system that documents decisions on each participant’s reviews. Working with the Commercial Operations Advisory Committee, they must put in place procedures to protect confidential data. They must also make a staffing plan to hire and train people, include a formal training program, and provide cross-training for resuming trade after an incident. Each year, when the President’s budget is sent to Congress, the Secretary must report to the appropriate congressional committees on progress in certifying, validating, and revalidating C–TPAT participants; the report is due on the same date that the President’s budget is submitted to the Congress.