U.S. CUSTOMS SOLICITS BIDS FROM SYSTEMS CONTRACTORS TO BUILD ACE

U.S. CUSTOMS SOLICITS BIDS FROM SYSTEMS CONTRACTORS TO BUILD ACE       U.S. Customs is expected to announce today that it will begin taking bids from information systems developers to develop its future computer system.
      The agency believes that the most efficient way to build its $1.8-billion Automated Commercial Environment during the next four to seven years is through outside systems developers. The agency will take bids from the industry during the next 45 days.
      Customs wants to replace its 16-year-old Automated Commercial System, which it says is no longer flexible enough to handle future industry data. Last year, Customs hired Mitre Corp. to assist in developing a blueprint for ACE.
      Although one systems developer will win the contract, it’s expected that the company will be supported by a team of a half-dozen large systems developers, along with about 20 to 30 smaller companies providing specialty services. Most major systems developers that are planning to bid for the contract have already set up their teams.
      Customs also plans to give perspective contractors tours of the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif., and Laredo, Texas, to give them an idea of the systems that are currently used to support the agency’s mission.
      Once the bids are in, Customs will review them and award a contract by July.
      Many large technology firms plan to bid for the ACE contract, although Customs currently lacks funding to build the system.
      The agency has so far failed to secure emergency funding from the Clinton Administration and Congress to support its ACE prototype, the National Customs Automated Prototype, and the administrative process to manage the contract efficiently. Customs hopes that it will begin to receive ACE funding by fiscal 2001.
      Information regarding the bid process will be published on Customs website, https://www.customs.gov/contract/contract.htm .