ACE CONTRACT BIDDERS LOBBY U.S. CONGRESS FOR CUSTOMS AUTOMATION FUNDING

   Some of the biggest players in the information systems business are using their lobbying power on Capitol Hill to secure funding for U.S. Customs’ future umbrella system.
   Most of these companies, such as EDS, Andersen Consulting, IBM, Computer Sciences Corp. and Lockheed Martin, are either leading or participating in teams of contractors hopeful to win a billion-dollar bid to build Customs’ Automated Commercial Environment.
   "We’re doing our work on the Hill," said Kevin J. Durkin, strategic account executive for EDS. "It’s a big contract."
   The industry is hopeful that Congress will at least give Customs about $15 million to keep the bid process going through 2000. Congress has indicated that it may begin funding the $1.8 billion ACE system starting in fiscal 2001.
   "I’m optimistic that they (Congress and Customs) will resolve the funding issue," said Lisa Mascola, managing partner in charge of the Treasury account for Andersen Consulting. "There’s a lot at stake here."