COURTS OF APPEALS, DISTRICT COURTS, AND OTHER JUDICIAL SERVICE

S

Court SecuritySUMMARY STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT REQUIREMENT

S

Fiscal Year 2019 Assumed Appro

priation 

Fiscal Year 2020 Appro

priation Re

quest 

 Re

quested Increase from Fiscal Year 2019 Assumed Appro

priation 

APPROPRIATION LANGUAG

E

COURTS OF APPEALS, DISTRICT COURTS, AND OTHER JUDICIAL SERVICE

S

COURT SECURIT

Y

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, incident to the provision of protective guard services for United States 

courthouses and other facilities housing Federal court operations, and the procurement, installation, and maintenance of security 

systems and equipment for United States courthouses and other facilities housing Federal court operations, including buildingingress-egress control, inspection of mail and packages, directed security patrols, perimeter security, basic security servicesprovided by the Federal Protective Service, and other similar activities as authorized by section 1010 of the Judicial Improvement and Access to Justice Act (Public Law 100-702), [$607,275,000]$641,273,000, of which not to exceed $20,000,000 shall remain 

available until expended, to be expended directly or transferred to the United States Marshals Service, which shall be responsible for 

administering the Judicial Facility Security Program consistent with standards or guidelines agreed to by the Director of theAdministrative Office of the United States Courts and the Attorney General.(H.R. 6147 - Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019, updated to reflect the judiciary's fiscal year 2019 assumed appropriation)
Fiscal Year 2020 Resource Requirements:

Page 

    

A. Adjustments to Base:

 1. Pay and benefits adjustments

7.14 

7.14 

7.14 

7.15 

7.15 

7.15 

7.15 

7.15 

7.16 

7.16 

Less unencumbered carryforward and recoveries from prior years into FY 2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

SUMMARY OF REQUEST

COURT SECURITY

FISCAL YEAR 2020

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

Fiscal Year 2019 Assumed Obligations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Less encumbered carryforward from FY 2018 into FY 2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 Less utilization of Judiciary Information Technology Fund (JITF). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fiscal Year 2019 Assumed Appropriation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

 a. Annualization of assumed January 2019 pay adjustment (1.9% for three months). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  b. Promotions and within-grade increases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  c. Health Benefits increases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3. Fiscal year 2020 CSO contract and wage rate adjustments (3.0%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4. Inflationary increases in charges for contracts, services, supplies, and equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5. Inflationary increase in GSA space rental costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  f. One more compensable day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2. Annualization of court security officer (CSO) positions (35). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  d. FICA adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . e. FERS adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page F

7.16

 

 

7.17 

 

Total Current Services Appropriation Required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

 

B. Program Increases / Decreases

7.21 8. Physical access control systems replacement strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

 

7.21 9. New courthouse construction projects 

 a. Security infrastructure for new courthouse construction projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

 

 b. CSOs for new courthouse construction projects (34 CSOs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

 

7.21 10. Video management systems replacement strategy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

 

7.22 11. Phased implementation (4th Year) of CSO staffing standards (69 CSOs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

 

7.22 12. Additional district supervisors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

 

 

 

Financing the Fiscal Year 2020 Request:

F

 

7.23 

 

Total Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriation Required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 6. Changes in Federal Protective Service security charges  a. Increase in basic security charges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . b. Increase in building-specific security charges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7. Adjustments to base requirements for security systems and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Subtotal, Adjustments to Base to Maintain Current Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 Subtotal, Program Increases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Estimated Obligations, Fiscal Year 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Total Appropriation Increase, Fiscal Year 2019 to Fiscal Year 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Total Appropriation Required. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Anticipated unencumbered carryforward from FY 2019 and prior years into FY 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
COURTS OF APPEALS, DISTRICT COURTS AND OTHER JUDICIAL SERVICES

COURT SECURITY

Obligation by Activity ($000)

Activity

FY 2018

Actual

FY 2019

Assumed Obligations/

Appropriation

FY 2020

Request

 633,377 579,958 651,273

Unobligated Balance, start of year JITF (185) (49) - Recoveries - Deposits - - -Unobligated Balance, end of year 49 - -Court Security - Total Obligations excluding JITF 579,822 633,328 651,273

 (16,053) (956) -

Total Direct Obligations 617,275 578,866 651,273Unobligated Balance, start of year (17,947) (26,053) (10,000)Unobligated transfers between expired and unexpired accounts (10, (10,000) 000) -Prior Year Recoveries/Obligations 10,027 16,053 -Unobligated Balance, end of year 26,053 10,000 -Available Appropriation 586,999 607,275 641,273

COURTS OF APPEALS, DISTRICT COURTS AND OTHER JUDICIAL SERVICES

COURT SECURITY

Obligations by Budget Object Class ($000)

Description

FY 2018

Actual

FY 2019

Assumed Obligations/

Appropriation

FY 2020

Request

11 Personnel compensation 6,867 8,825 9,122

12 Personnel benefits 2,314 2,620 2,85721 Travel 602 431 49822 Transportation of things 48 12 1223 Rent, communications and utilities -

Rental payments to GSA 7,569 7,587 7,730

25 Contractual Services -

CSO Contract 416,434 392,476 438,748

Other Contractual Services 38,007 40,362 41,717Federal Protective Service Charges 85,813 82,169 87,926AO Reimbursable 1,516 1,767 1,561

26 Supplies and materials 1,706 364 36931 Equipment 43,104 55,733 60,733

 617,324 579,002 651,273

1 Includes JITF obligations as follows: $136,000 in FY 2018 and $49,000 in FY 2019.

Court Security - Total Obligations including Judiciary Information Technlogy Fund (JITF) and Encumbered CarryforwardLess Encumbered Carryforward 

Total obligations excluding encumbered carryforward (slippage)1
FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 

Actual Assumed Obli

gations Request 

($000) ($000) ($000) 

Total Obligations incurred, net 579,822 633,328 651,2

Obligated balance, start of year 171,579 173,134 184,4Adjustments in expired and unexpired accounts (12,516) 

- 

Obligated balance, end of year (173,134) (184,462) (193,7

Net Outla

ys 565,751 622,000 642,0

 

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 

Actual Assumed Obli

gations Request 

Total compensable workyears (FTE): United States Marshals Service 55 75 Total, Court Securit

y 55 75 

 

COURTS OF APPEALS, DISTRICT COURTS AND OTHER JUDICIAL SERVICES

COURT SECURITY

Personnel Summar

y

Relation of Obli

gations to Outla

ys
7.6

GENERAL STATEMENT AND INFORMATION

The Court Security appropriation was established in 1983 and funds the necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, incident to 

the provision of protective guard services, and the procurement, installation, and maintenance of security systems and equipment for 

United States courthouses and other facilities housing federal court operations. This includes building access control, inspection of 

mail and packages, directed security patrols, perimeter security, and other similar activities as authorized by 28 U.S.C. § 604(a)(22). 

Federal courthouses are often the most visible symbols of the U.S. Government presence in communities outside of Washington, D.C.,

and, as such, may be considered inviting targets for terrorist attacks. In addition, the judicial process compels the attendance of 

suspected and convicted criminals to its facilities daily, which invites additional risks. At the same time, witnesses, jurors, family 

members of the suspected or convicted criminals, members of the Bar of the Court, the press, court employees, and the public must be 

able to enter and use the buildings. Maintaining the proper balance between ensuring an open court system and having secure court 

facilities is a complex task given the increasing number of threats against the federal judiciary. 

The fiscal year (FY) 2020 Court Security appropriation request of $641,273,000 will provide an appropriate level of security at 

existing court facilities and provide security coverage at new and renovated facilities. It will also allow the judiciary to sustain and 

make progress on two existing major strategic security initiatives: (1) improved physical access control systems (PACS) at 

courthouses nationwide; and (2) phased, multi-year implementation of new court security officer (CSO) staffing standards. 

Additionally, the FY 2020 request includes a new strategic security initiative to replace video management systems at courthouses 

nationwide (see page 7.12).

SECURING THE COURTS

Court security is provided jointly by the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) United States Marshals Service (USMS) and the Department 

of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Protective Service (FPS). By statute, the USMS has primary responsibility for the security of 

the federal judiciary, including the safe conduct of court proceedings, as well as the security of federal judges and court personnel at 

court facilities and off-site. The security that FPS provides may include, to varying degrees, entry screening, perimeter patrols, garage 

access control, and mail and package screening. Each is discussed below. 
7.7

UNITED STATES MARSHALS SERVICE PROTECTION

The USMS is responsible for the security of the judiciary (28 U.S.C. §§ 564, 566), including securing prisoners; conducting protective 

investigations on threats against judges and other judiciary personnel; providing protective details when necessary; and providing

security for witnesses and high threat trials. This mission is funded by DOJ/USMS operating funds.

The USMS is also responsible for the day-to-day management of the Judicial Facility Security Program (JFSP), which is funded by 

the judiciary’s Court Security appropriation. The JFSP is a collaborative effort between the judiciary and the DOJ to ensure the 

integrity of the judicial process by providing secure facilities in which to conduct judicial business. To support the JFSP, funding 

from the Court Security appropriation is transferred to the USMS, which is responsible for administering the JFSP consistent with 

standards or guidelines agreed to by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO) Director and the Attorney General. 

The goals of the JFSP are ensuring:

1. an adequate CSO presence at new, renovated, and existing court facilities;

2. that effective security screening and/or access control systems are in place for judiciary facilities housing judges, probation and 

pretrial services offices, and other federal court operations; and

3. timely installation and maintenance of required security systems and equipment at new, renovated, and existing courthouses. 

CSOs and security systems and equipment are key aspects of providing physical security to the courts. Together, they are an integral 

part of the USMS’s security plan to prevent and deter violence that can undermine the effectiveness, viability, and integrity of the 

judicial process and erode public confidence in the judicial system. 

FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE SECURITY

FPS is the primary federal agency responsible for patrolling and protecting the perimeter of GSA-controlled facilities and enforcing 

federal laws and regulations in those facilities. There are two types of facility-related security charges imposed by FPS on 

government facilities, including those occupied by the judiciary: (1) the “basic” security charge, to provide FPS with general funding 

to operate; and (2) the “building-specific” security charge, to reimburse FPS for FPS-provided, site-specific contract guards and 

security systems and equipment. 
7.8

Beginning in FY 2020, FPS will implement a new cost model for assessing basic and building-specific security charges. The new cost 

model eliminates the $0.78 per square foot charge for basic security, as well as the 8 percent building-specific oversight charge that 

FPS collects on countermeasure contracts. Instead, FPS will use a risk-based structure for assessing basic security charges, using 17 

operational security workload data points. The new model for the basic security charge is based on an average of three years of actual 

operating costs and includes a three-year transition period to phase-in the realignment of customer assessments. Building-specific 

security charges for contracted guard services and technical countermeasures will include only direct costs. Additionally, FPS will no 

longer amortize new technical countermeasures for customer agencies. In the past, FPS would fund the costs of building-specific 

countermeasure projects directly and then charge the costs to tenant agencies over a 10-year amortization period. Beginning in FY 

2020, tenant agencies will pay the full costs associated with any new countermeasure project in the fiscal year the project begins. At 

this point, the new cost model is not expected to have a significant impact on the judiciary’s FPS requirements.

As previously requested by Congress, the AO continues to implement clear and consistent parameters for budgetary decisions related 

to FPS billings. All courts have been reminded of the continued need to control FPS building-specific charges, and FPS headquarters 

staff have been notified that additional services (FPS-provided guards, equipment, or systems) cannot be provided without an AO 

certification that funds are available. 

The judiciary continues to work with FPS officials to obtain detailed billing information that will allow review and certification that 

the bills are valid, proper, and correct, in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 613. 

Perimeter Security Pilot Program

The judiciary’s FY 2008 appropriations bill authorized the USMS, which has the statutory responsibility to provide protection of the 

judicial process, to establish a perimeter security pilot program to consolidate the responsibility for perimeter security guarding and 

security systems and equipment under the district U.S. Marshal, who is supported by the judiciary-funded and USMS-administered

JFSP. The pilot was implemented at seven primary courthouses in FY 2009. A primary courthouse is one in which the judiciary and 

judiciary-related offices (i.e., USMS and/or U.S. Attorney’s Office) occupy 75 percent or more of the rentable square footage, and 

there is at least one resident judge and courtroom. 

The pilot was designed to address several issues, including the bifurcated systems with two security providers - the FPS and the 

USMS - providing physical security at many federal courthouses, problems with FPS security equipment not functioning for extended 
7.9

time periods, and a lack of national standards for determining how many FPS guards are needed to provide adequate security at federal 

facilities, including courthouses. At the pilot locations, the USMS is responsible for all interior and perimeter security. 

The response to the pilot from judges, court unit executives, and district U.S. Marshals Service office staff has been uniformly 

positive. The benefits of the program include improved quality of security services, improved security coverage, unified command 

and control over courthouse physical security, improved communication, and improved stewardship and monitoring of security 

equipment. 

Each year since the pilot began, the judiciary’s annual appropriations bills have authorized the pilot project to continue. Congress has 

also expressed support for expanding the pilot at any locations where the judiciary and the USMS can do so in a cost-neutral manner. 

In FY 2015, the judiciary identified such a site and added the Richard B. Russell Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Atlanta, 

Georgia, to the pilot program on October 1, 2015, bringing to eight the number of courthouses in the pilot program. The judiciary will 

continue to explore additional sites and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of expanding the pilot to more locations. The judiciary’s 

FY 2020 appropriation request includes language to authorize the continuation of the pilot at the existing locations (see General 

Provisions, page 12.1).

FY 2019 APPROPRIATIONS ASSUMPTION

In the absence of enacted full year FY 2019 appropriations, the judiciary made assumptions to construct a FY 2020 budget request. 

The judiciary built the FY 2020 budget request for Court Security assuming a FY 2019 appropriation of $607,275,000. The FY 2019 

assumed appropriation, combined with $26,053,000 in unobligated carryforward from FY 2018 and prior-years, funds FY 2019

standard pay and non-pay adjustments, and adjustments to base for CSOs, FPS charges, and security systems and equipment costs. In 

addition, the FY 2019 assumed appropriation funds program increases for the PACS replacement strategy, security infrastructure for 

new courthouse construction projects, and the third year of the phased implementation of the CSO staffing standards.

For bill language, the judiciary used the language from H.R. 6147, the House-passed FY 2019 Financial Services and General 

Government (FSGG) appropriations bill, updated with the assumed funding level as described above, as the closest approximation of 

eventual enacted FY 2019 appropriations language.

After full-year FY 2019 appropriations are enacted, the judiciary will re-estimate its FY 2020 budget request and transmit to the 

Appropriations Committees any changes to FY 2020 appropriations requirements and language.
7.10

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES FOR FY 2020

Physical Access Control Systems and Funding Strategy

Physical Access Control Systems (PACS) are a critical component of the court security program. They are designed to ensure that 

dangerous people do not gain entry to court facilities, and only judges, authorized federal employees, and contractors can access

secure interior court space. Access is managed with issued cards that are read by automated card readers for authorized persons at 

exterior and/or interior doors, and for judges at secure elevators. PACS are procured and installed at court facilities by the USMS 

through the JFSP. 

Many of the current PACS are fragile and failing, or in danger of failing, due to aging equipment and outdated software no longer 

supported by the vendor. As existing legacy PACS increase in age, the system failure rate continues to climb. In addition, PACS are 

being upgraded nationwide in federal facilities, including courthouses, in response to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 

(HSPD)-12. HSPD-12 is an Executive Branch directive that mandates a federal standard for secure and reliable forms of identification 

to access federal facilities. 

The judiciary has included funding in its annual budget request for cyclical PACS replacement, and Congress has approved 

reprogrammings in recent fiscal years to fund additional PACS upgrades. In FY 2018, the judiciary spent $21 million for PACS 

upgrades at 16 facilities. In FY 2019, the judiciary’s assumed funding level includes $27.0 million for PACS requirements. 

The number of PACS upgrades initiated in each fiscal year is determined by the costs associated with replacing PACS at the highest 

risk of system failure. The costs for PACS upgrades vary significantly, depending on the size of the court facility and the number of 

judges in a facility. Even if 25 facilities were to receive PACS upgrades each fiscal year, it would take decades to install and upgrade 

PACS at the approximately 700 judiciary facilities. A more significant, long-term investment will be necessary to ensure that stable, 

modern PACS are installed in court facilities nationwide. 

The judiciary worked with the USMS to develop a risk-based strategy that focuses resources on the highest priority PACS 

requirements, addressing facilities with the greatest need in a timeframe that avoids system failures. The risk-based approach attempts 

to contain costs by focusing on equipment replacements at court facilities with the highest risk for a PACS failure. In addition, the 

strategy also incorporates a refreshment cycle for PACS to ensure the program is sustainable in the future. 
7.11

When fully implemented, the PACS strategy would fund the approximately 500 facilities that have PACS, and those that house judges 

but do not have PACS, over a 10-year period. The program would then move into a sustainment phase, working to replace PACS that 

have reached the end of their useful life. This strategy would increase funding requirements by approximately $5 million each year 

from FY 2019 to FY 2022. In FY 2019, the judiciary included an increase of $5.5 million over the FY 2018 enacted funding level for 

a total of $27.0 million for PACS. The FY 2020 budget request includes an additional $5.0 million for a total of $32.0 million for 

PACS.

New Courthouse Infrastructure Costs

In FY 2016, Congress provided an unprecedented $948 million to the General Services Administration (GSA) for the construction of 

courthouses on the judiciary’s Courthouse Project Priorities (CPP) plan. That funding supports the construction of eight courthouses 

and provides partial funding for a ninth project. In addition, $53 million was appropriated for new construction and acquisition of 

facilities that are joint U.S. courthouses and federal buildings in Greenville, MS and Rutland, VT. Joint courthouses/federal building 

projects are prioritized by GSA and do not appear on the judiciary’s CPP. In FY 2018, Congress provided $437 million to fully fund 

the ninth FY 2016 courthouse project and to construct two additional courthouses. Funding for the construction of courthouses is 

appropriated directly to GSA. However, the judiciary is responsible for funding items that will take the courthouses from shell 

condition to finished and usable spaces, including furniture, technology, and security. For FY 2020, the judiciary requests $3.4

million for security systems and equipment requirements to support courthouse construction projects; based on current schedules, this 

funding is needed for the Des Moines, IA project. The $3.4 million will be offset by a decrease of $12.4 million associated with nonrecurring security requirements for new courthouse construction projects assumed to be funded in FY 2019. Thus, the FY 2020 

request contains a program decrease of $9.0 million (see page 7.21 for more details).

In addition to the systems and equipment requirements, funding is needed for CSOs in these new facilities. The FY 2020 budget 

request includes $1.7 million for 34 new CSO positions to ensure the necessary lead time to onboard CSOs for new courthouse

facilities (Greenville, SC; Savannah, GA (Annex); Toledo, OH (Annex), and Nashville, TN) projected to open in FY 2020 and early 

FY 2021. The USMS will also transfer CSO positions from any related facilities in which the judiciary has vacated its space, but new 

positions are necessary when the size of a court facility increases. For FY 2021 and beyond, additional CSOs to staff new facilities 

may be required based on CSO staffing assessments.
7.12

Video Management Systems Replacement Strategy

Video management systems (VMS) are the camera systems in court space that allow the USMS to monitor doors, hallways, 

courtrooms and other court space. If a VMS system failure occurs, the USMS control room operators lose viewing capability of all 

closed-circuit television (CCTV) coverage within a facility, crippling the USMS’s capability to visually assess potential threats. The 

loss of camera views and control capability would make the facility vulnerable to surreptitious entry. Current VMS are analog 

systems, many of which are no longer being supported by the manufacturers. These systems need to be upgraded to digital IP 

(internet protocol) based systems. 

Using the PACS funding strategy as a model, the USMS is developing a risk-based model that prioritizes system replacements based 

on the vulnerability of current systems failure, facility threat level, and age of equipment. The model proposes a 10-year replacement 

plan that will begin with the replacement of those systems that are approximately 18 years of age or older, far exceeding the normal 

industry life expectancy of seven years, and that are at risk of failure. This strategy alleviates the cost burden by spreading the funding 

over multiple fiscal years while still meeting the replacement needs. The judiciary’s FY 2020 budget request includes $6.3 million for 

the replacement of VMS that have exceeded their useful life expectancies and are at significant risk of failure. The initial cost 

estimate of the replacement plan is $63 million over 10 years ($6.3 million per year). As the replacement program progresses, AO 

staff will work with the USMS to refine the scope and estimated costs of these VMS projects in future years.
7.13

$000 CSO Positions FTE $000 CSO Positions FTE

Court Security Officers $416,434 4,411 $438,748 4,514

Federal Protective Service Charges 85,813 87,926

Systems and Equipment 99,424 92,829

Program Administration 31,657 75 31,770 75

JITF 49 -

Total Obligations $633,377 $651,273

Prior Year Carryforward

 Systems and Equipment Slippage (Encumbered) (14,328) -

 Program Administration Slippage (Encumbered) (1,725) -

 JITF (49) -

Total Direct Obligations $617,275 $651,273

 Systems and Equipment Savings (Unencumbered) (10,000) (10,000)

 Program Administration Savings (Unencumbered) - -

Available Appropriation $607,275 $641,273

FY 2019 Assumed 

Obligations/Appropriation FY 2020 Request

Court Security Program Summary
7.14

JUSTIFICATION OF CHANGES

The FY 2020 request for the Court Security program totals 

$641,273,000. The request is $33,998,000, or 5.6 percent, 

above the FY 2019 assumed appropriation level of 

$607,275,000. The funding requested for this program 

provides for the maintenance of current security services. The 

FY 2020 request includes program increases for the continued 

implementation of the physical access control systems (PACS) 

replacement strategy, security infrastructure and additional 

CSOs for new courthouses, the implementation of the video 

management systems (VMS) replacement strategy, the phased 

implementation of new CSO staffing standards, and additional 

district supervisor contractors. Additionally, the request 

includes non-recurring security requirements for the new 

courthouse construction projects that were funded in FY 2016.

The following sections provide information and justification 

for each of the adjustments to base and program increases. 

A. ADJUSTMENTS TO BASE TO MAINTAIN 

CURRENT SERVICES

1. Pay and benefits adjustments

a. Annualization of assumed January 2019 pay 

adjustment

Requested Increase: $55,000

The requested increase provides for the annualized costs of an 

assumed 2019 pay adjustment for Employment Cost Index 

(ECI) and locality pay. Based on the FY 2019 appropriations 

actions to date, federal pay rates are assumed to increase by an 

average of 1.9 percent, effective as of January 2019. The 

requested increase provides for the cost of three months (from 

October 2019 to December 2019) of the assumed 2019 pay 

increase in FY 2020. (If Congress ultimately does not authorize

a 2019 pay adjustment for federal civilian workers, or one is 

provided at a rate different than 1.9 percent, the judiciary will 

revise this line item in a FY 2020 budget re-estimate.)

b. Promotions and within-grade increases

Requested Increase: $85,000

The requested increase provides for promotions and withingrade increases for personnel. The AO salary plan, as well as 

the USMS salary plan, provide for periodic within-grade 

increases for staff who receive at least a satisfactory 

performance rating.

c. Health Benefits increases

Requested Increase: $7,000

Based on information from the Office of Personnel 

Management, health benefit premium contributions are 

projected to increase by an average of 1.2 percent both in 

January 2019 and January 2020. The requested increase 
7.15

annualizes the 2019 premium increase and includes a ninemonth provision for the increase anticipated for FY 2020.

d. FICA adjustment 

Requested Increase: $4,000

Based on information from the Social Security Administration, 

employer contributions to the Old Age, Survivor, and 

Disability Insurance (OASDI) portion of the FICA tax will 

increase in 2019. The salary cap for OASDI increased from 

$128,400 to $132,900 in January 2019. The requested amount 

is needed to pay the agency contribution in FY 2020. 

e. FERS adjustment

Requested Increase: $257,000

Consistent with guidance from the Office of Management and 

Budget, funds are requested for an increase in the agency 

contribution rate to Federal Employee Retirement System 

(FERS) plans for FY 2020. For most employees, the agency 

contribution rate will increase from 13.7 percent to 16.0 

percent. Any FERS increase is in accordance with revised 

estimates of the cost of providing benefits by the Board of 

Actuaries of the Civil Service Retirement and Disability 

System. 

f. One more compensable day 

Requested Increase: $1,845,000 

There is one more compensable day in FY 2020 than in FY 

2019. The requested amount increases costs both for personnel 

compensation and benefits as well as for contractual CSO 

costs, associated with one more compensable day.

2. Annualization of CSO positions (35)

Requested Increase: $1,549,000

In FY 2019, partial funding was requested to support 35 new 

CSO positions consistent with the implementation of new CSO 

staffing standards. This request includes the increase required 

to fund the full-year cost of the 35 CSO positions in FY 2020. 

3. FY 2020 CSO contract and wage rate adjustments 

Requested Increase: $13,208,000

A total of $13,208,000 is requested for anticipated increases in 

the hourly rates and overtime pay for CSO contract services in 

FY 2020. The request is an average increase of 3.0 percent on 

a national basis over FY 2019 projected levels.

The minimum hourly wage rates paid by the vendors who are 

retained by the USMS to provide CSO services are determined 

by the Department of Labor and vary around the country based 

on an annual assessment of the prevailing wage rates paid for 

occupations like the CSO category of service in a specific 

locality. CSO wages are also adjusted through collective 

bargaining agreements negotiated between CSO contractors 

and unions. In accordance with the McNamara-O’Hara 

Service Contract Act, the contract CSOs must be paid the 
7.16

hourly rates determined by the Department of Labor unless a 

collective bargaining agreement is in place. The wage 

adjustment must be paid regardless of any 2020 pay freeze 

imposed on federal workers.

4. Inflationary increases in charges for contracts, 

services, supplies, and equipment

Requested Increase: $945,000

Consistent with guidance from the Office of Management and 

Budget, this request of $945,000 is required to fund 

inflationary increases of 2.0 percent for operating expenses 

such as travel, communications, printing, contractual services, 

supplies and materials, and furniture and equipment (exclusive 

of the CSO contracts).

5. Inflationary increase in GSA space rental costs

Requested Increase: $161,000

This request represents a 3.47 percent inflationary increase and 

other adjustments in the cost of GSA space rental charges

estimated by GSA to be used by CSOs and the judiciaryfunded USMS personnel for FY 2020. 

6. Changes in Federal Protective Service security charges

Requested Increase: $2,113,000

In FY 2020, FPS will implement a new cost model for 

assessing basic and building-specific security charges (see

pages 7.7 – 7.8). 

The FY 2020 security cost estimate of $87.9 million for FPS 

security services consists of basic security ($34.7 million) and 

building-specific security costs ($53.2 million). This 

represents an increase of $2.1 million from the FY 2019

estimate of $85.8 million. Additional information regarding 

the increases in FPS security charges is summarized below:

a. Increase in basic security charges: $1,691,000

Beginning in FY 2020, the new cost model eliminates the 

$0.78 per square foot charge for basic security, and FPS will 

use a risk-based structure for assessing basic security charges. 

The FY 2020 request for basic security charges is $34.7 

million, which is $1.7 million above the FY 2019 estimated 

level. 

b. Increase in building-specific security charges: 

$422,000

In FY 2020, the new cost model eliminates the 8 percent 

oversight charge for building-specific security that FPS collects 

on countermeasure contracts and will no longer provide an 

amortization funding mechanism on behalf of customer 

agencies for new technical countermeasure projects. The total 

FY 2020 request for building-specific security charges is $53.2 

million, which is $0.4 million above the FY 2019 estimated 
level. The requested increase is due to the cost associated with new countermeasure projects. Building-specific charges are based on FPS-provided countermeasures for a specific building and are charged to all federal tenants in the building in direct proportion to each customer agency’s percentage of federal occupancy. Each building is supposed to have a facility security committee (FSC). The FSC consults with and seeks recommendations from FPS on new or revised countermeasures. A tenant agency cannot avoid a building-specific charge if a majority of FSC members endorse a countermeasure. FPS is responsible for maintaining records of these operating expenditures on a building-by-building basis. These expenses are based on FPS projections and may be adjusted as a result of the current, ongoing review of FPS charges by the judiciary. Building-specific expenses include: • Facility contract guards, both fixed post and roving, 

assigned to a specific building; and 

• Purchase, installation and maintenance of perimeter 

security devices such as cameras, alarms, motion detectors, and other physical security features. 

(Note: In courthouse facilities, the FPS contract guards and security device expenses listed above are usually limited to the perimeter of the building because security for interior judicial space is provided by the USMS.) 

7. Adjustments to base requirements 

and equipment 

Adjustments to base - increases Adjustments to base - decreases  Net adjustments to base 

The requested amount reflects a net increthe security systems and equipment progrincrease of $5.6 million is partially offset $0.3 million. The chart on page 7.20 and justification of increases and decreases prinformation regarding the judiciary’s secuequipment funding requirements. Increased Funding for Security System$ Nationwide Maintenance Contract for 

Systems and Equipment (Requested IThe national contract for security systprovides for the maintenance of the insystems located in all facilities nationrepair of closed-circuit television (CCcontrol systems, alarm systems, and ocontrol center components. The controff-site monitoring of alarms for buildhour CSO presence and for repairs anmaintenance for the nationwide inven
7.18

machines. The contractor is required to complete an annual 

inventory of security components and the maintenance costs 

are adjusted accordingly. The annual inventory of security 

components was completed on December 31, 2017. As a 

result of the comprehensive inventory, the contractor 

identified additional security components that should be 

covered by the maintenance contract. The increase in 

maintenance costs is associated with additional security 

components being added to the contract, including new 

PACS as replacement projects are completed.

• CSO Radios, Accessories, Repairs and Over-the-Air Rekey (Requested Increase: $502,000)

This request supports radios for new CSO positions based 

on planned occupancy dates for new and renovated court 

facilities and changes in CSO staffing requirements, cyclical 

replacement of radios, installation and maintenance of CSO 

radio systems, and funding for accessories and repairs. It 

also includes over-the-air re-key systems to provide secure 

cryptographic protection to ensure the integrity of the 

information transmitted on CSO radios. Various means are 

available for the dissemination of the security keys 

necessary for communications including the use of 

electronic hand-held key loaders and by means of over-theair re-key. The increase is primarily associated with fully 

funding the lifecycle replacement costs for CSO radios and 

courthouse repeaters. 

Current funding for CSO radios can support 428 radio 

replacements per year and allows for each radio to be in 

service for 12 years. The long replacement cycle 

contributes to a high failure rate. Additional funding for 

CSO radios will support 669 radio replacements per year on 

an eight-year cycle. Current funding for courthouse 

repeaters can support a total of five repeaters per year. 

Additional funding for courthouse repeaters can support a 

total of 11 repeaters per year on a 15-year replacement 

cycle.

• Nationwide Contract for Vehicle Barrier Maintenance 

(Requested Increase: $433,000)

The vehicle barrier maintenance contract provides a 

nationwide preventative maintenance and repair program 

for vehicle barriers installed by the USMS. The contract 

requirements include 24/7 technical support, training, 

emergency response capability, preventive maintenance, 

and repairs. The maintenance contract increases the 

reliability of vehicle barriers and reduces the frequency of 

breakdowns. The increase is primarily due to an increase 

in the number of older vehicle barriers refurbished to keep 

them operational as well as ten additional vehicle barriers 

added to the maintenance agreement.

$ Other Additional and Replacement Equipment (Requested 

Increase: $311,000)

This program provides for general enhancements or 

upgrades to CCTV surveillance systems, alarm systems, and 
7.19

command and control centers in newly occupied space in 

existing court facilities and replaces outdated equipment in 

currently occupied space. The increase is primarily due to 

inflationary cost adjustments.

$ Perimeter Security Improvements (Requested Increase: 

$271,000)

Perimeter security is a critical first line of defense for 

federal judicial facilities. Perimeter security improvements 

consist of the installation of guard booths and vehicle 

barriers, such as planters and hydraulic bollards, to help 

maintain a secure setback for the courthouse. These security 

enhancements allow the USMS to screen vehicle traffic 

adequately, provide pedestrian separation from the court 

facility, obscure the public=s view of judicial officers, and 

limit the potential damage and loss of life from improvised 

explosive devices. In addition, the installation of perimeter 

CCTV surveillance systems and intrusion detection systems 

are covered in this category. The increase is primarily due 

to inflationary cost adjustments.

• Miscellaneous Systems and Equipment (Requested 

Increase: $211,000)

An increase of $211,000 is requested for various 

miscellaneous systems and equipment requirements in 

fiscal year 2020. This includes an increase of $186,000 for 

GSA installation/alterations and $25,000 for equipment for 

probation, pretrial services, and defender services.

Decreased Funding for Security Systems and Equipment

• Cyclical Replacement of X-Ray Screening Equipment and 

Walk-Thru Metal Detectors (Requested Decrease: 

-$339,000)

The cyclical replacement program ensures that walk-through 

metal detector and x-ray screening systems are replaced 

when they become technologically obsolete or when 

maintenance costs exceed a pre-determined threshold. The 

decrease is primarily due to the need to cyclically replace 9 

fewer x-ray units in FY 2020 than in FY 2019.
7.20

FY 2019

Assumed 

Appropriation1

FY 2020

Adjustments to 

Base1

FY 2020

Program Increases / 

Decreases

FY 2020

Request1

Change 

FY 2019 to

FY 2020

$000 $000 $000 $000 $000

New Courthouse Construction Projects $12,401 $0 ($9,001) $3,400 ($9,001)

Physical Access Control Systems $27,020 $0 $5,003 $32,023 $5,003

Video Management Systems (Matrix Switchers) $0 $0 $6,300 $6,300 $6,300

Nationwide Maintenance Contract for Existing Security Systems and Equipment $12,408 $3,907 $0 $16,315 $3,907

CSO Radios, Accessories, Repairs and Over-the-Air-Re-key $1,461 $502 $135 $2,098 $637

Nationwide Vehicle Barrier Maintenance Contract $1,286 $433 $0 $1,719 $433

Other Additional and Replacement Equipment $10,342 $311 $0 $10,653 $311

Perimeter Security Improvements $9,005 $271 $0 $9,276 $271

Cyclical Replacement of X-Ray Screening Equipment and Walk-Thru Metal Detectors $4,185 ($339) $0 $3,846 ($339)

Miscellaneous Systems and Equipment

 GSA Installation/Alterations $6,172 $186 $0 $6,358 $186

 Equipment for Probation, Pretrial Services, and Defender Services $816 $25 $0 $841 $25

Total Miscellaneous Systems and Equipment $6,988 $211 $0 $7,199 $211

Total Security Systems and Equipment $85,096 $5,296 $2,437 $92,829 $7,733

1 Excludes encumbered carryforward

Category

Court Security Appropriation

Security Systems & Equipment Funding Summary

Fiscal Years 2019 and 2020
7.21

PROGRAM INCREASES / DECREASES

8. Physical access control systems replacement strategy

Requested Increase: $5,003,000

The judiciary requests an additional $5.0 million to continue 

implementation of the PACS replacement strategy, for a total 

of $32.0 million in PACS funding for FY 2020. The PACS 

replacement strategy would increase funding requirements by 

$5 million each year from FY 2019 to FY 2022. For additional 

information on the need for PACS replacement, refer to page 

7.10.

9. New courthouse construction projects

For the new construction projects funded by Congress in FY 

2016, the judiciary requests a net decrease of $9.0 million for 

security systems and equipment requirements and $1.7 million 

for 34 CSO positions. 

a. Security infrastructure for new courthouse 

construction projects

Requested Net Decrease: -$9,001,000

In FY 2020, a decrease of $12,401,000 is associated with nonrecurring security requirements for new courthouse 

construction projects funded in FY 2016. This is partially 

offset by an increase of $3,400,000 for new security systems 

and screening equipment at the new courthouse planned for 

Des Moines, IA. For additional information on new 

courthouse construction projects, see page 7.11.

b. CSOs for new courthouse construction projects (34 

CSOs)

Requested Increase: $1,660,000

The FY 2020 request includes $1,660,000 for an additional 34 

CSO positions, consisting of $683,000 for 14 CSO positions at 

Greenville, SC; $440,000 for 9 CSO positions at Savannah, 

GA; $49,000 for 1 CSO position at Toledo, OH; and $488,000 

for 10 CSO positions at Nashville, TN. These positions are

needed to staff new courthouse construction projects that are 

projected to open in FY 2020 or early FY 2021.

10. Video management systems replacement 

Requested Increase: $6,300,000

The FY 2020 request includes $6.3 million to begin 

implementing a 10-year VMS replacement strategy. Based on 

initial estimates, the proposed VMS replacement plan would 

cost $63.0 million over 10 years ($6.3 million per year). After 

the 10-year replacement period, the program would then move 

into a sustainment phase. For additional information on the 

need for video management systems replacement, see page 

7.12.
7.22

11. Phased implementation (4th Year) of the new CSO 

staffing standards (69 CSOs)

Requested Increase: $3,951,000

When the revised CSO staffing standards were implemented in 

FY 2015, the USMS estimated that 346 additional CSOs are 

necessary to fully staff to the new standards, which include a 

crucial exterior/forward watch CSO position at the courthouse 

perimeter. The USMS recommended a phased, multi-year 

implementation of the new CSO staffing standards. 

The judiciary requests an additional 69 CSO positions in FY 

2020 to continue implementation at an estimated cost of $4.0

million, of which $3.5 million is for the CSO positions, $0.4

million is primarily for one-time charges for program 

administration-related costs for hiring the CSOs, and $0.1 

million is for CSO radios.

With this request, the phased implementation of the new CSO 

staffing standards will be 70 percent complete. 

Incremental 

Number of 

CSOs 

Requested

Cumulative 

Number of 

CSOs 

Requested

Total Number 

of CSOs 

Required Per 

Staffing 

Standards

Percent 

Complete

FY 2016 69 69 346 20%

FY 2017 69 138 346 40%

FY 2018 0 138 346 40%

FY 2019 35 173 346 50%

FY 2020 69 242 346 70%

12. Additional district supervisors

Requested Increase: $560,000

The judiciary requests $0.6 million for 11 additional district 

supervisors (contractors) to support the CSO program. District 

supervisors are employees of the CSO vendors tasked with 

managing CSO personnel, providing oversight for security 

operations performed by Lead CSOs and CSOs, and conducting 

all performance standard violation investigations. The current 

CSO contract assigns only one district supervisor to each district 

throughout the nation, regardless of the district size or number 

of CSO positions. The total number of CSOs requiring 

supervision varies greatly between each district.

The additional 11 district supervisor positions will provide an 

increased level of supervision over personnel and a higher level 

of accountability in managing the CSO contract. The district 

supervisor is prohibited from performing as a CSO or Lead 

CSO, and is not subject to the uniform, medical, or physical 

requirements stated in the CSO contract. The additional 

positions would be assigned to districts with many facilities, 

districts covering a wide geographic area, and/or districts with a 

large CSO workforce. These positions would be assigned to a 

specific facility, but travel to other facilities within the district 

as needed. 
7.23

FINANCING THE FY 2020 REQUEST

ANTICIPATED CARRYFOWARD BALANCES FROM 

FY 2019 AND PRIOR YEARS INTO FY 2020

Estimated Funds Available: $10,000,000

The judiciary projects $10,000,000 will be available through 

anticipated savings and prior-year recoveries to carry forward 

from FY 2019 into FY 2020 to offset partially the FY 2020 

appropriation request for the Court Security program. The 

judiciary will advise the appropriations subcommittee staffs of 

changes to this estimate.