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GCN Home > 06/21/04 issue

After 9/11, import data project became more urgent

Project Automated Commercial Environment

By Richard W. Walker, GCN Staff

Agency: Bureau of Customs and Border Protection

Description: The program’s goal is “one screen at the border.” ACE is designed to automate the process of tracking U.S. imports and to provide a systematic, unified approach to border enforcement, replacing the outdated Automated Commercial System and paper processing.

Funding: $305 million for this year; $305.5 million proposed for 2005.

Prime contractor: In 2001, IBM Corp. was awarded a contract worth $1.3 billion over 15 years to lead an e-Customs Partnership of companies including Lockheed Martin Corp., KPMG Consulting and Computer Sciences Corp.

What’s next: Software release 3 will let importers pay duty monthly online. Officials will test the system for three months and then roll it out to users. Also scheduled for release later this year: Automated Truck Manifest.

Outlook: Officials say rollout is picking up speed, with scheduled software releases this year bringing the total number of users to 20,000 by Dec. 31. Officials say they’re working strenuously to meet the goal of full ACE rollout in 2007.
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