Summary

1
DHS CBP Border Patrol Voluntary Relocation Plan
(VRP) Lump Sum

• Summary
• VRP Test Program began in April 2004.
• As of end of FY 04, 295 Relocations performed at
  an average cost of 14,331 per move a
  significant cost savings from previous average of
  72,000 per move for Border Patrol. Savings thus
  far 17,000,000.

2
DHS CBP Border Patrol Voluntary Relocation Plan
(VRP) Lump Sum

• Summary (Continued)
• CBP views program favorably due to reduced cost
  per move and reduced administrative overhead.
• No post audits of transfers.
• No tax gross-up issues.

3
DHS CBP Border Patrol Voluntary Relocation Plan
(VRP) Lump Sum

• Summary (Continued)
• CBP can handle more transfers with the same
  staff.
• Survey of Participants Overall good rating.
  Lump Sum Amount fair rating. Primary
  Complaint Small net amount due to tax
  withholdings.

4
DHS CBP Border Patrol VRP Lump Sum

• Recommendations
• Continue VRP Pilot through expiration date of
  October 20, 2005.
• Expand Pilot (Subject to GSA Approval).
• Increase lump sum amounts to offset the tax
  liability to transferees (This option is
  currently being investigated.

5
DHS CBP Border Patrol VRP Lump Sum

• Recommendations
• Improve communications to potential transferees
• Streamline approval process to speed up payments

6
DHS CBP Border Patrol VRP Lump Sum

• Background
• CBPs Office of Border Patrol performs vital
  mission of protecting U.S. borders, but with
  limited resources.
• As border threats increased after 9/11, there was
  a convergence of the need to relocate agents and
  agents desires to transfer to border locations.

7
DHS CBP Border Patrol VRP Lump Sum

• Background (Continued)
• In search of funding, CBP learned that PL 105-264
  permits GSA to authorize Federal Agencies to
  conduct test programs outside of the requirements
  of the FTR.
• GSA approved CBPs innovative relocation plan to
  provide lump sum payments ranging from 5 to 20
  thousand to volunteer transferees.

8
DHS CBP Border Patrol VRP Lump Sum Relocation
Survey Results

• Highlights (Results based on information
  provided by respondents)
• Average net amount received after taxes, 9,045,
  was 65 of the average pre-tax Lump Sum of
  13,939.
• Over 2/3 of the Agents moved themselves to their
  new duty stations. 11 used a moving company
  exclusively. 21 used a mix of both movers
  their own means of transportation.

9
DHS CBP Border Patrol VRP Lump Sum Relocation
Survey Results

• Highlights (continued)
• Agents gave the process of moving their household
  goods a fair rating on the scale.
• On average, Agents reported that they spent
  10,479 on their moves, 1,434 more than their
  average net lump sum after taxes of 9,045.
• Almost 65 of respondents would recommend the VRP
  program to others.

10
DHS CBP Border Patrol VRP Lump Sum Relocation
Survey Results

• Highlights (continued)
• 70 of the Agents would participate in the VRP
  program again if the opportunity arose.
• 83 of respondents had narrative comments. Most
  frequent critical comments tax on lump sum low
  amount of lump sum and poor timeliness in
  receiving lump sum.