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December 22, 2000 9:10 AM, EST

Wrapping up its 2000 session, Congress passed an omnibus appropriations bill last week that provides long-awaited funding for the Automated Commercial Environment system for the Customs Service.

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ACE, the latest computer system that is expected to process import documents more efficiently, is to replace a system that has been in place for 17 years and is near collapse. Customs lacked adequate funding for ACE development for several years (5-8, p. 2).

The agency released a request for proposal on Friday, kicking off the search for a contractor to manage the project. The $1.3 billion contract to build ACE could be awarded within six to seven months, Customs said.

Customs originally requested $258 million for the new system, but was given $130 million - 10% of the project total. Before finalizing the catch-all appropriations bill, Congress ordered a 0.22% reduction in appropriations for all government agencies.