Deadline: 26-Nov-21
The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce an open competition for organizations to submit applications for Border Management Study grant program to assess the economic impact of improved border management screening, technology, and standardization on the U.S.-Mexico border.
This project will also provide insights in improving trade facilitation and minimizing the impact of transnational criminal networks in the border region and beyond. Improved border management will create an environment in which the licit economy can thrive, while providing a counter to transnational criminal organizations and addressing a key drive of irregular migration to the United States. Evidence of the quantitative impacts of enhanced border screening is critical to establishing buy-in from various stakeholders on the importance of these changes.
Goals
- To enhance shared security between the United States and Mexico by identifying economic benefits of strengthened detection capabilities at U.S.-Mexico border crossings and to facilitate legitimate trade and travel across the U.S.-Mexico border.
- This project will also provide a concise understanding of the economic impact of recommendations made by the Sandia National Laboratories to improve U.S.-Mexico border operations and to demonstrate the benefit of these interventions to the U.S. and Mexico.
Objectives
Produce an Economic Impact Study of U.S.-Mexico Border: This objective aims to inform members of the public and policy makers on both sides of the border of the costs and benefits of enhanced screening at the U.S. border to combat transnational criminal organizations while enhancing legitimate trade and travel. The study must be based on industry best practices for cost-benefit analysis.
- Produce a public-facing economic impact study that will demonstrate the quantitative (to the extent feasible) and qualitative direct and indirect costs and benefits (to include the net benefits) of improvements to, and standardization of, screening procedures at the U.S.-Mexico border. This study should include an analysis of estimated impacts on local and national economies and industries in the United States and Mexico, including highlighted quantitative benefits of reduced wait times at the U.S.-Mexico border. This study should be completed within the first six months of award. The study should at a minimum analyze the following items:
- Economic impacts of reduction in wait times according to each mode of transportation;
- Traveler volumes according to each mode of transportation at each agency designated port of entry;
- Number, type, and scope of U.S. and Mexican jobs and industries dependent on cross-border trade and travel;
- Estimated gains to U.S. and Mexican economies, including potential number of jobs positively impacted or created.
- Produce a complementary public-facing impact analysis demonstrating the expected impacts of improvements at the U.S.-Mexico border to all of the United States and Mexico, disaggregated by states and stakeholder (e.g., U.S. government, trade members, travelers, etc.).
- Produce data visualizations to demonstrate the impact to specific constituencies within the United States and Mexico.
- Organize a public release of the impact study with the goal of disseminating the results to the general public. A public release should be done in Mexico as well.
Funding Information
- Total available funding: $250,000
- Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $250,000
- Length of performance period: 12 months
- Number of awards anticipated: 1-3 awards (dependent on amounts)
- Anticipated program start date: December 15, 2021
Priority Region/Countries: United States and Mexico
Participants and Audiences
- The general public within the United States and Mexico
- Business and trade focused organizations within the United States and Mexico
- U.S. and Mexican government stakeholders and policy makers, including members of Congress, Secretary of Economy, customs authorities, migration authorities, among others
- INL
- Other audiences as determined by the grantee
Eligibility Criteria
The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs);
- U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code;
- Foreign-based non-profits/non-governmental organizations (NGOs);
- Foreign-based educational institutions
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=336335