U.S. Customs Service, Procurement Division, Room 4210, 1301 Constitution Ave., Washington, D.C. 20229

70 -- DATA MAINTENANCE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT TOOLS Contact: Mark Weinstein, Contract Specialist, 202-927-0567; Michael Rebain, Contracting Officer, 202-927-0598. This announcement is not a formal solicitation. The U.S. Customs Service requires a Data Maintenance Software Development Tool that will provide data maintenance and repair. This software development tool is necessary to achieve the highest level of integrity of data quality since it will play a major role in the success of new system development projects, and in long-term operation of the production system. This software development tool must also be capable of performing complex data tasks on large volumes of data (millions of records) and addressing ALL foreign name and address formats. To successfully convert legacy data to the new system, the tool must employ computer science techniques that permit data to be parsed, analyzed and matched based on statistical probability. Simple matching algorithms using decision matrices based on pre-defined tables (or data structures) have proven in the past to provide unacceptable levels of integrity of data quality. Instead, the required tool must be capable of inferring business rules to investigate, standardize and consolidate data, and to identify any anomalies or inconsistencies. Specific features required are: the capablity to ensure domain integrity without being limited to pre-defined name and address fields; a data investigation capability that recognizes names, addresses, etc. hidden within any type of data fields; an entity integrity capability that is not strictly limited to name or address, but can use other data fields; utilization of a cross-field correlation analysis; the ability to resolve data conflicts and operate on user-defined rules rather than limited data analysis and patterning; a capability for data filling from any field; easy application maintenance and quick modification as business necessitates; minimal manual review of exception data. In addition, a data enrichment capability must operate on any field from any external data sources and not be limited to postal code enrichment of address. Data moving and routing must have unlimited sequential formats (controlled by user) rather than those limited to vendor-defined exception reports and vendor-defined output structures. A firm fixed price contract with a five year systems life is planned. Software development tool must have at least a 90 day warranty and an annual maintenance program. Sources interested in submitting information in response to this CBD notice are requested to provide two (2) copies of all technical literature, brochures, catalogs, published pricelists and any other information which would indicate that your data maintenance software development tool meets the Government's requirement. Responses should be mailed to Mr. Mark Weinstein, Contract Specialist, U.S. Customs Service, 1301 Constitution Avenue, Procurement Division, Room 4210, Washington, DC 20229, and should be received not later than fifteen (15) days from the date of this notice. If no responses are received by this date, then this requirement will be negotiated on a sole source basis with Validity Technology, Inc. Telephone or facsimile responses will not be honored. This is a source sought synopsis; therefore, requests for copies of a solicitation will not be honored. Interested vendors are requested to provide the requested information voluntarily to the Government at no cost or obligation. No payment will be made to vendors for the information submitted. (163)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0465 19950614\70-0014.SOL)