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."