REVISED ACQUISITION STRATEGY FOR DATA CAPTURE SYSTEM 2000 (DCS 2000). POC: Bureau of the Census, Procurement Office, FB#3, Room 1541, Washington, DC 20233, Gloria Smith, 301/457-1867. The Bureau of the Census has altered its acquisition strategy for DCS 2000. In April 1996, the Census Bureau released on a request basis a draft version of the DCS 2000 statement of work. The cover memorandum attached to that document outlined the Census Bureau's plans for a multi-phased acquisition. The first phase, which was for design and development of DCS 2000, was to be awarded to one or more contractors. These contractors would then compete in a ``fly-off'' for the DCS 2000 production and deployment contract, which was the second phase of the acquisition. The Census Bureau has since decided not to award multiple contracts for the DCS 2000 acquisition. Instead, one contract will be awarded for design, development, production and deployment of DCS 2000. However, the decision to conduct a two-phased acquisition still stands; Phase I will consist of design and development, and Phase II will consist of production and nationwide deployment. The decision to have one contractor design, develop and deploy DCS 2000 is a marked change from what the vendor community has heard to date. As a result, the Census Bureau now plans to release, for review and comment, a full, draft request for proposal (RFP) in late June. Additional information will be given to industry as it becomes available.

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