U.S. General Services Administration
General Services Administration and the Customs and Border Protection announced 3 new selections for the Donations Acceptance Program
WASHINGTON—U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced today that three new proposals from the city of Donna, Texas; the city of Pharr, Texas; and Red Hook Terminals have been selected to engage in further planning and development activities as part of the Donations Acceptance Program. The Donations Acceptance Program enables CBP and the GSA to explore, foster and facilitate partnerships for port of entry infrastructure and technology improvements.
“At GSA, we understand that all of our buildings are an important part of the communities where they are located,” said Public Buildings Service Commissioner Norman Dong. “That is why we are so excited to be working together with these three municipalities through the Donations Acceptance Program. This innovative collaboration will allow us to support the kind of trade and travel that is vital to not just these locations, but our country as a whole.”
“We are excited to welcome three new mutually beneficial partnerships under the Donations Acceptance Program; partnerships that CBP believes will lend themselves to a more secure, efficient, and reliable border transportation network,” said CBP Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske. “Since launching last year, the Donations Acceptance Program has quickly become a viable mechanism and tool for investing in and expediting U.S. port of entry improvements.”
The City of Donna proposed constructing new inspection facilities and implementing more technologies to facilitate inbound empty commercial vehicle inspections at the Donna-Rio Bravo Port of Entry (POE). The City of Pharr proposed multiple improvements including constructing a new cold inspection facility, a new agricultural inspection training and development facility, and expanding secondary inspection dock space at the Pharr POE. Red Hook Terminals proposed donating a perforating machine in support of operations at the Port of Freeport, Texas.
Looking ahead, CBP and GSA will work with its new partners to establish a memorandum of understanding outlining forthcoming planning and development activities, obligations, and roles and responsibilities.
Pursuant to Section 559 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014, CBP and GSA are authorized to accept donations of real property, personal property (including monetary donations) and non-personal services from private sector and government entities. Accepted donations may be used for port of entry construction, alterations, operations, and maintenance activities.
The Donations Acceptance Program is also pleased to announce that it is now accepting and evaluating proposals valued at $3 million or less on a year-round basis. The Small-Scale Donation Proposal Process is a new offering and avenue for stakeholders interested in investing in and expediting small-scale, high impact border infrastructure, technology and other related improvements. Criteria and guidance for submitting a small-scale donation proposal can be found on cbp.gov/dap.
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