WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, today announced that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will award a contract to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers of $9 million for expansion at the Advanced Training Center (ATC) in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Specifically, the contract award will be used toward design and construction of the Instructional Design Center (IDC)/Distance Learning Center (DLC) facility. Senator Capito has visited this facility several times.
The IDC portion of the facility will be used as a central hub to write all curriculum for CBP for at least 200 different courses. Currently, these courses are created nationwide, but now they will be done at a single facility at the ATC. Further, the DLC will be used largely for all refresher training for agents/officers. In total, this building will bring as many as 70 new instructors to West Virginia. This building is part of the five-year expansion plan for the ATC.
“The Advanced Training Center in Harpers Ferry is a critical facility that provides direct support to the dedicated men and women protecting our homeland,” said Senator Capito, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee. “When I became chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, one of my goals was to support the good work of the ATC and expand if possible because I recognized the potential and opportunity there. I am proud today to be able to announce CBP has awarded $9 million to the Corps of Engineers to begin design and construction for an expansion at the ATC in Harpers Ferry. This is part of the ATC’s Master Plan and will serve as a central hub for CBP to develop all of their training curriculum. While this project will benefit West Virginia by expanding the number of personnel who work at the ATC, it will also improve the efficiency and effectiveness of training provided there for federal and local officials to improve safety for all Americans. This, in addition to my recently announced news about the training programs that will be housed at Summit Point, ensures West Virginia will continue to be at the forefront in efforts to protect our nation from potential threats.”
BACKGROUND:
Senator Capito authored the following language providing for this contract award in the FY20 Appropriations bill:
“The agreement includes the following increases above the request: $20,000,000 for innovative technology, of which not more than $5,000,000 may be available for any single project; $15,000,000 for rapidly deployable next generation mobile surveillance systems, including currently deployed light truck based systems; $10,000,000 for Automated Commercial Environment enhancements; $28,383,000 for one additional Multi-Role Enforcement Aircraft with a Dismounted Moving Target Indicator; $32,500,000 for lightweight helicopters; and $9,000,000 for expansion at the Advanced Training Center. The agreement provides a total of $14,830,000 for coastal interceptor vessels and $59,124,000 for non-intrusive inspection equipment, as requested.”
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