MONEY, TIME RUNNING OUT FOR CUSTOMS MODERNIZATION OFFICER

MONEY, TIME RUNNING OUT FOR CUSTOMS MODERNIZATION OFFICER    U.S. Customs Modernization Office told the House Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government this week that by Friday it will rund out of funds to keep its program operating.
   The Modernization Office is tasked with building the agency’s future computer system. The office has been working with Mitre Corp., a U.S. government systems consulting firm, to chose a prime contractor to build the Automated Commercial Environment.
   “Funding for the CMO is almost depleted,” said S.W. “Woody” Hall Jr., assistant commissioner and chief information officer at Customs. “The additional plans and completion of the acquisition of a prime contractor are dependent on fiscal year 2000 funding of $12 million.”
   Customs hopes to receive at least $7 million of the necessary $12 million by Friday. That money will cover the agency’s work with Mitre.
   “We still need the other $5 million for program control and support,” Hall said. “We hope to get that money in the next few weeks.”