U.S. CUSTOMS DELAYS ACE CONTRACT SOLICITATION

   U.S. Customs has decided to delay the release of a solicitation for bids from information systems developers to develop its future computer system.
   Customs stopped the release of this solicitation, scheduled for Jan. 5, because the agency lacked funding for the Customs modernization efforts. "We are hopeful that these issues will be resolved soon," said Customs officials.
   In addition, port visits for information systems developers in Laredo, Texas and Los Angeles/Long Beach, Calif. planned for Jan. 18-21 will be rescheduled.
   Customs was recently denied $15 million in emergency supplemental funding by the Clinton Administration and Congress to run the solicitation process and maintain its ACE prototype, National Customs Automated Prototype, during the year. The agency continues to negotiate with congressional and administrative staffers for the funding, and hopes to release the solicitation by the end of the month.
   Information systems companies planning for the bid say they’re standing by. "It’s a concern that the solicitation is not out yet," said William E. Eldridge, director of the Treasury Department for IBM Global Services. "But we’re optimistic that it will get resolved shortly."
   The agency believes that the best way to replace its aging Automated Commercial System is by contracting with the private-sector information systems developers. The $1.8-billion Automated Commercial Environment is expected to take four to seven years to build. The agency is hopeful that systems funding will begin in fiscal 2001.
   Information regarding the bid process will be published on Customs’ website, https://www.customs.gov/contract/contract.htm .