Air Entry and Exit Reengineering (AEER) Program Review (DHS)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Apex Air Entry and Exit Reengineering (AEER) program supports Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in implementing a biometric capability to verify the departure of foreign nationals leaving from U.S. air ports of entry. AIR developed an evaluation framework to assess the impact of including a biometric capture capability upon airport exit on specified program objectives related to the identification of overstays, law enforcement activities, and operational costs.

The evaluation framework included multiple assessment components—Technology Capability and Readiness; System Interoperability and Integration; Cost and Impact Analysis; and Stakeholder Engagement—with guidance on when and how to conduct detailed analyses to assess progress toward outcome goals on a pre-defined timeline, along with potential risks and mitigation strategies. Performance metrics related to each area of interest were identified with associated thresholds, objectives, and milestone dates to evaluate program progress where applicable.