RTR provided the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) Program’s Administration and Logistics Branch support with planning and operational testing of new technology as it is deployed to air, land, and sea ports of entry. Given the company’s subject matter expertise in border operations, RTR continues to be an integral provider of services and technology that conform to US-VISIT's mandate to maintain comprehensive policies and procedures at all U.S. borders.
Notable US-VISIT Projects:
IDENT Data Response Evaluation
The US-VISIT Program and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division implemented Automated Biometric Identification System (IDENT)/Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) Interoperability Shared Services in 2008. Through this initiative, the FBI CJIS Division stakeholders gained the capability to search the full IDENT gallery, and receive an IDENT Data Response (IDR), for the first time.
RTR conducted an independent evaluation of the IDR to assess its effectiveness and the benefits derived by participating jurisdictions. A survey was administered to select IDR usersvia the telephone and the responses were analyzed. Using the Likert Scale, RTR was able to quantify some of the response and determine if critical success factors were met. RTR also provided recommendations based on gaps in processes and these lay the foundation for a follow-up evaluation.
Workforce Planning Modeling
RTR performed workforce planning and diversity analyses for US-VISIT’s Human Capital and Training Branch. Each quarter, a thorough analysis of demographic statistics is performed on the US-VISIT Federal workforce. The analysis allows US-VISIT to focus on recruiting underrepresented groups, such as minorities, the disabled, and US Veterans. RTR also analyzes how long it takes to recruit for open positions and for Federal employees to begin working.
Multimodal Limited Production Pilot
To position US-VISIT IDENT to meet US-VISIT’s future mission needs and take advantage of evolving technologies, a near-term, proof-of-concept Multimodal Biometric Limited Production Pilot (LPP) effort is developing the technology and processes necessary to support additional modalities. RTR performed an operational test and evaluation (OT&E) on the LPP’s impact to airport operations.
Biometrics Analysis
The Enterprise Modeling Team (EMT) Unique Identity Working Group was chartered to provide the Unique Identity Project with decision-making elements through modeling and simulation analysis. Inspection processes and system performance responses were analyzed in order to implement new methodologies at various ports of entry. RTR's analysis included the potential impacts of the transition from 2-Print to 10-Print biometrics would have on existing systems, inspection processes, and infrastructure. Using field data collected from the 2-Print and 10-Print environment, RTR assessed the overall impact of the 10-Print by running a series of models using Border Facilities Analysis and Modeling System (BFAMS), which demonstrated an end-to-end analysis of the 10-print full deployment. The results showed the effect of proposed processes on inspection operations as well as identified facility and staffing requirements to maintain an acceptable level of service.
Land Exit Study
RTR evaluated a strategy for implementation of proposed exit solutions from the U.S. land ports of entry to meet the goals of the US-VISIT. The company was responsible for collecting data, compiling a statistical baseline sample, assessing proposed design changes and providing a project management plan to US-VISIT. RTR also employed its proprietary BFAMS to conduct simulation scenarios for each port and evaluate existing and proposed changes to land exit processes. A graphical user interface (GUI) and 3D animation graphics of selected ports were developed and integrated with ProModel. This work was used to support the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and develop an infrastructure design approach for implementing a comprehensive exit strategy at land ports of entry.
Border Facility Analysis and Modeling
RTR was instrumental in building BFAMS under the direction of the US-VISIT EMT. The BFAMS system consists of multiple software and hardware elements required to enable simulation of any land, air, or sea port of entry. The simulation model allows the user to perform "what-if" analyses on port operations. An animation component allows the user to visualize the model results. The GUI assists the user in setting up each model run, inputting the appropriate data into the modeling engine, and viewing the statistical results.