Interchange of data between administrations - European Binding Tariff Information database
The European Commission, DG XXI, has published an open call to tender for computer maintenance services relating to its European Binding Tariff Information (EBTI) database. The framework contract relates to the provision of corrective and evolutional maintenance for the EBTI Wintools systems. A Binding Tariff Information (BTI) is a customs tariff classification decision issued by a national customs administration on request from a trader. A BTI is binding on all Member States and is available to all for consultation. The EBTI database also contains classification regulations of the Commission, the World Customs Organization and the European Court of Justice, among others, in the law tables. The aim of the database is to aid compliance with the Council's requirements to allow a uniform application of tariff classification rules, by providing access to all Member States' BTIs. A limited extraction of the database together with the EBTI Thesaurus is available on CD-ROM for commercial operators. In the context of the EBTI project, the Commission has developed two DOS-based tools to manage and consult BTI locally on a PC. The first of these tools, PCMS/DOS, is used to data capture and print BTIs in the Member States. The second, THESonPC/DOS, is used for consultation of the EBTI Thesaurus. A third tool called EBTI Consultation, which is Windows-based, enables the consultation of BTIs stored on CD-ROM and on the Central System in Brussels. This tool is currently under development. These software products are/will be used by national customs administrations and by users responsible for BTI management and indexing in DG XXI/B/4. The work to be subcontracted is as follows: - Production of a functional specification and design of Windows versions of PCMS and THESonPC; - Migration of the EBTI PC applications to a Windows platform using Visual Basic; - Creation of versions of the software, including help facilities, in all 11 official Community languages; - Production of supporting documentation and training material in English, French and German; - Maintenance of the EBTI PC-based applications; - Installation of new software releases in the Member States and possibly at other European sites outside the European Union; - Provision of help-desk facilities. The contract is expected to start in November 1996, and should be completed within three years. Tenderers must demonstrate that they have sufficient experience and ability in the project field, as well as having sufficient linguistic competence in Community languages to carry out the project. A briefing, at which questions relating to the project will be answered, will be held on 26 July 1996 at 10.00 at Centre Albert Borschette, 36 rue Froissart, B-1040 Brussels. Requests for tender specifications, quoting reference DG XXI/96/CB-3019, and completed tenders, should be sent to: European Commission DG XXI - Customs union and indirect taxation Mrs. M. Massage 200 rue de la Loi (MDB 4/16) B-1049 Brussels Fax +32-2-2956501 Additional technical information may be obtained from: European Commission DG XXI/A/1 Mr. S. F. Hewitt 200 rue de la Loi (MDB 0/03) B-1049 Brussels Fax +32-2-2951930