Technologically driven assessment solutions

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) was established in 2003 with the mission of safeguarding America’s borders. CBP’s prime mission is to protect the public from dangerous people and materials while enhancing the Nation’s global economic competitiveness by enabling legitimate trade and travel. On a typical day, CBP welcomes nearly one million visitors, screens more than 67,000 cargo containers, arrests more than 1,100 individuals, and seizes nearly 6 tons of illicit drugs.  Annually, CBP facilitates an average of more than $3 trillion in legitimate trade while enforcing U.S. trade laws.

Client challenge

CBP’s Office of Human Resources Management is responsible for the development and implementation of assessments for entry-level selection and promotion of its mission-critical occupations, including Border Patrol Agents (BPA) and Customs and Border Protection Officers (CBPO).

CBP was seeking a comprehensive testing solution to automate its proprietary assessments and administer the assessment batteries via a nationwide test center network. This process supports CBP in its mission to hire the best agents and officers as part of the selection process. Additionally, they were looking for a provider that offered a secure and highly functional assessment platform, meeting the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) standards required for such an engagement.

Solution

Talogy was selected as the partner of choice for this initiative, not only because Talogy’s True Talent™  assessment platform meets DHS security standards and allows for delivery of various highly customizable multi-modal assessments via one fully powered platform , but also because Talogy has a long, successful history with many notable agencies and their respective mission-critical programs.

Together with CBP, Talogy has developed the Online Applicant Competency Assessment (COACA) program to be the backbone of the Border Patrol Agent and CBP Officer selection processes. Talogy customized its Federal Enterprise platform to meet the current and future needs of the program, and utilizes its nationwide network of testing centers to deliver a multi-modal assessment program using high-end assessment functionality:

• Talogy’s Computer Adaptive Test Engine
• Bridge2, Talogy Remote Proctoring solution 

All assessment steps for the respective roles are administered though  the Talogy’s True Talent™  assessment platform and the process is easily managed by CBP.

The solution provides CBP with optimal visibility in the process and delivers enhanced reporting facilities

Outcomes

The COACA solution and program was made operational in March 2021 – successfully processing Border Patrol Agent and CBP Officer candidates through the applicant assessment process. The COACA solution provides CBP optimal visibility in the process, and delivers enhanced reporting facilities. Additionally, the solution incorporates frequent and direct communication with Talogy.