Weslaco Airport FIS Clearing Services
Vesta Rea & Associates, LLC (VRA) was contracted by the Weslaco Economic Development Corporation (EDC) in 2009 to secure U.S. Customs clearing capabilities at the Weslaco Mid-Valley Airport for the City of Weslaco.
VRA’s scope of work included:
In 2008, VRA secured for the City of Weslaco permission from the Department of Homeland Security – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to move forward with the design and construction of a Federal Inspection Services (FIS) facility at the Weslaco Mid-Valley Airport. At completion of the facility, the airport received from CBP an “on-call” landing rights designation, utilizing Progreso International Bridge customs agents (at no cost to the City) to clear general aviation passenger aircraft. The City had been trying to secure this designation since 2002.
The Weslaco EDC, the funding source for the new FIS facility, contracted VRA to coordinate all activities associated with the interface between the regional office of CBP (Laredo), CBP Headquarters (Washington, D.C.), and the Progreso Port of Entry. VRA was put in place to expedite the design and construction of the facility and eliminate many of the bottlenecks associated with the process.
VRA worked closely with the selected architect to meet all CBP Airport Technical Design Standards (ATDS) regulations associated with the design of the FIS. VRA interfaced with many of CBP satellite offices such as their National Data Center (OIT) that supplied the commuter technology required for the operations. VRA handled the staff training required by USDA APHIS for the regulated trash requirements to secure the USDA-APHIS Compliance Agreement. The FIS facility at Weslaco was commissioned for service in 2011
VRA’s scope of work included:
- Justification/Feasibility Study
- Secure CBP Landing Rights Designation
- Project Coordinator for the Design/Construction
In 2008, VRA secured for the City of Weslaco permission from the Department of Homeland Security – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to move forward with the design and construction of a Federal Inspection Services (FIS) facility at the Weslaco Mid-Valley Airport. At completion of the facility, the airport received from CBP an “on-call” landing rights designation, utilizing Progreso International Bridge customs agents (at no cost to the City) to clear general aviation passenger aircraft. The City had been trying to secure this designation since 2002.
The Weslaco EDC, the funding source for the new FIS facility, contracted VRA to coordinate all activities associated with the interface between the regional office of CBP (Laredo), CBP Headquarters (Washington, D.C.), and the Progreso Port of Entry. VRA was put in place to expedite the design and construction of the facility and eliminate many of the bottlenecks associated with the process.
VRA worked closely with the selected architect to meet all CBP Airport Technical Design Standards (ATDS) regulations associated with the design of the FIS. VRA interfaced with many of CBP satellite offices such as their National Data Center (OIT) that supplied the commuter technology required for the operations. VRA handled the staff training required by USDA APHIS for the regulated trash requirements to secure the USDA-APHIS Compliance Agreement. The FIS facility at Weslaco was commissioned for service in 2011
Project Structure
Prime: Vesta Rea & Associates, LLC
Scope of Work
- Market research
- Justification/Feasibility Study
- Stakeholder interviews
- Government agency coordination
- Project management over design and construction