For immediate release VANCOUVER, December 22, 2004 -- A $401,250 competitive contract has been awarded to Elan Data Makers, of Vancouver, British Columbia, to provide on-site data capture services at Customs offices in the Western region. Awarded on behalf of the Canada Border Services Agency, this contract will be completed in March 2006. The announcement was made today by the Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry, on behalf of the Honourable Scott Brison, Minister of Public Works and Government Services. "The services provided by the Vancouver-based company will ensure timely and accurate data gathering and reporting at Canada's border agency," said Minister Emerson. "The new system will use technology-based solutions to effectively assess the safety and security risks of goods being shipped to Canada." The contractor will record information gathered from entry or cargo documents into the Agency's on-line Customs Commercial System (CCS) at four Customs offices in Alberta and British Columbia. It will provide administrative support services including electronically updating all cargo documents, producing a monthly inventory of documents, and reporting all cargo ship arrivals. The CCS automates many of the processes used to control the import of commercial goods into Canada from the point of cargo entry to its final release. Funding for this contract was provided for in the March 2004 Federal Budget. For information on contracting opportunities with the Government of Canada, visit www.merx.com, Canada's official, public sector electronic tendering service. - 30 - For further information, media may contact: Renée David Press Secretary Office of Minister Brison (819) 997-5421 Mario Baril Manager, Media Relations PWGSC (819) 956-2315 Stéphanie Leblanc Office of Minister Leblanc (613) 995-9001 PWGSC news releases are also available on our Internet site at www.pwgsc.gc.ca/comm/min/text/mediaroom-e.html.
