The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency is part of the Department of Homeland Security. According to its web site, the mission of the Customs and Border Protection's Air and Marine "is to protect the American people and critical infrastructure by using and integrated and coordinated air and marine force to detect, interdict and prevent acts of terrorism arising from [the] unlawful movement of people, illegal drugs and other contraband moving toward or crossing the borders of the United States."

We suggest visiting the CBP web site and clicking on the link in the left-hand margin entitled "news releases." This particular section of the web site will give you an idea of the scope of work the agency's personnel handles on a daily basis. You will read about the agency's successes and new initiatives. Furthermore, the news releases may reveal a source for future business. For example, an end user may be quoted in an article. So, keep an eye out for quotes from CBP personnel who may help get you to the right person within the agency.

Here is the CBP news release link: http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/

Here is a link to the CBP budget (which includes a 9.8% increase over 2006's budget) http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/fact_sheets/budget/

Check out what the CBP says it's improving in 2007:

Excerpt from 2007 budget (Eileen's notes wrapped in ***)

Secure Border Initiative (SBI)

Increased Border Patrol Presence Between Ports of Entry

Provides an additional $458.9 million for 1,500 Border Patrol agents and associated costs, directly supporting the strategic goal to increase and extend control of the borders between the ports of entry.

***EILEEN NOTE: OPPORTUNITIES HERE*** Included in this amount is funding for agents and support staff, relocations, information technology upgrades, training, and construction costs for improvements and expansions to Border Patrol facilities. A portion of this funding ($4.691 million) will be used by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center to increase its training capacity.

Border Technology

Adds $100 million to expand purchases of critically needed border technology infrastructure between our Nation's ports of entry.

***OPPORTUNITY***

Increased border technology will not only dramatically improve our electronic surveillance capabilities along the southern and northern borders but it will also significantly strengthen our ability to detect, intercept, and secure the borders against illegal aliens, potential terrorists, weapons of mass destruction, illegal drugs and other contraband.

Western Arizona Tactical Infrastructure

Adds $50.8 million for the construction of permanent vehicle barriers in western Arizona.

***OPPORTUNITY***

Tactical infrastructure prevents and deters illegal border crossings and provides a force-multiplier by enhancing agent efficiency in responding to and interdicting illegal entrants.

San Diego Border Infrastructure System

Provides an additional $30 million to fund the land acquisition and construction of the San Diego Border Infrastructure System project that includes ***OPPORTUNITY*** multiple fences, lighting, and patrol roads enabling quick enforcement response.

The San Diego Border Infrastructure System will give the United States significantly greater control of the most urbanized corridor of our border with Mexico.

You can read more about these initiatives at : http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/fact_sheets/budget/bush_2007_budget.xml

Here is their contracting web site as well: http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contracting/
Here is a list of their field offices: http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/cmcs/

During a May 15, 2006 speech to the American public, President George W. Bush outlined several improvements to the system. Such improvements go beyond those which were outlined in the 2007 budget. Some of the mentioned improvements will involve contractors and I just wanted to highlight a few to emphasize your opportunity as a contractor.

1. Deploy National Guard Units to help patrol and manage the borders. What would this entail?

• Moving and transporting the individuals, feeding and clothing them.
• Training the National Guard on a different type of protection.
• Purchasing equipment including vehicles, ammunition, guns, technology, communication equipment, tents, surveillance equipment, and other items necessary to perform border security.

2. Create a new identification system for people who are currently under the temporary work program (which includes bio information and fingerprinting so that the ID's are legitimate). If you have an already successful ID system which is cost effective and includes the ability to make the ID completely unique to the individual, you're already in front of the right people at the CBP.

3. Adding more Border Security personnel in the next few years.

What would this entail?

• Recruiting assistance, background checking and overall further HR assistance.
• Public relations and advertising for new people.
• Relocation assistance for the newly hired.
• Training and management for the new hires.
• Equipment including vehicles, desks, weapons, surveillance, and communication equipment.

4. The border patrol officers and the National Guard will need additional training. The federal government has a training facility for its law enforcement personnel. It's called the "Federal Law Enforcement Training Center." Visit its web site at http://www.fletc.gov/

If you offer training for law enforcement, military and/or border patrol, this would be a great place for you to start your search for government opportunities.

My point is this - - read between the lines when you read stories about federal budgets and peruse agency web sites. Opportunities are everywhere. You just need to get in touch with the right people who need your help. It is your job to get "On the Sales Firing Line" and in the field.

Fedmarket.com Webinar with Speaker Eileen Kent:

The Time Is Now - Selling to the Government From Your Own Backyard

Date: Friday, July 7, 2006
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm EST

The time is now: No matter where you live in the world, and no matter how small your company, you can learn how to sell to the federal government from the comfort of your own office.

The Federal Sales Academy offers classes in Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, Denver, Atlanta, San Diego, and San Francisco. But for businesses in remote parts of the country, or those too small to afford the cost of travel, this course has been tailored to meet your specific needs.

Attend Fedmarket's Webinar and invite all of your sales team and partners to attend along with you right in the comfort of your own office.

>> REGISTER HERE
>> DETAILS