Customs Support Project Quarterly Report January – March 2019

The project aims to reduce financial waste, increase security, and improve revenue by incorporating best practices in customs management. The project is working to streamline the process for clearing exported and imported goods by providing technical assistance to the Administration Générale des Douanes (AGD). The project is focusing on five key areas: organizational structure, human resources, capacity building and training, technology and infrastructure, and operational procedures, as well as cooperation and communication. The project is also working to implement a new ICT system to improve customs clearance procedures. Despite challenges such as civil unrest, gang violence, and security concerns, the project team has continued to engage with the AGD and advance project objectives. The project team has held several meetings with AGD officials to discuss project objectives and implementation plans. In the second quarter of Year 4, the project team made progress on several key tasks. Task 1, Cabling, involved the installation of new cabling at the AGD HQ. The project team worked with the AGD and the vendor to finalize the cabling plan and ensure a smooth transition. The project team also set up alternative working space for AGD staff during the installation period. Task 2, Procurement and Installation of VSAT, involved the procurement of a new VSAT system for customs clearance procedures. The project team evaluated several bids from short-listed companies and selected the most competitive bidder, Turbonet. The project team is currently preparing a source selection memo and request to USAID to award the contract. The project team has also made progress on other tasks, including capacity building and training, and has worked with AGD officials to plan alternative working space for AGD staff during the installation period. The project team has continued to face security concerns due to the civil unrest and gang violence in Haiti. The project team has increased the security level to HIGH RISK and has taken measures to ensure the safety of staff and consultants in the field. The project team has also been affected by the U.S. government's decision to order the departure of non-emergency U.S. personnel and their family members, and to upgrade the Travel Advisory to a Level 4, Do Not Travel. The project team has been advised to follow its own security procedures and to shelter in place during protests. Despite these challenges, the project team has continued to advance project objectives and make progress on key tasks. The project team will continue to work with AGD officials to implement the project's objectives and ensure the successful completion of the project. The project's main results for the second quarter of Year 4 include: * Progress on Task 1, Cabling, including the finalization of the cabling plan and the setup of alternative working space for AGD staff. * Progress on Task 2, Procurement and Installation of VSAT, including the evaluation of bids and the selection of the most competitive bidder, Turbonet. * Continued engagement with AGD officials to advance project objectives and ensure the successful completion of the project. * Increased security concerns due to civil unrest and gang violence in Haiti. * The project team has taken measures to ensure the safety of staff and consultants in the field and has increased the security level to HIGH RISK. The project's next steps include: * Completing the procurement and installation of the VSAT system. * Continuing to engage with AGD officials to advance project objectives. * Ensuring the safety of staff and consultants in the field. * Monitoring the security situation in Haiti and taking measures to mitigate risks. The project's implementation timeline includes: * Task 1, Cabling: Complete by the end of the second quarter of Year 4. * Task 2, Procurement and Installation of VSAT: Complete by the end of the second quarter of Year 4. * Capacity building and training: Ongoing throughout the project. * Operational procedures: Ongoing throughout the project. The project's budget for the second quarter of Year 4 includes: * Task 1, Cabling: $X. * Task 2, Procurement and Installation of VSAT: $Y. * Capacity building and training: $Z. * Operational procedures: $W. The project's overall budget for the second quarter of Year 4 is $X + $Y + $Z + $W.