The Taxation and Customs Union Directorate General (DG TAXUD) has awarded Accenture a three-year IT systems management and development contract valued at approximately €49.3m.

The agreement will support the European Commission’s CUST-DEV2 programme, which is designed to introduce a harmonised, centralised and paperless customs system (eCustoms) across the EU by 2013.

Under the terms of the contract, Accenture will manage the existing customs systems at DG TAXUD as well as the specifications of the Trans-European Systems.

Additionally, Accenture will work with DG TAXUD on the development and management of new customs applications and systems in the scope of the eCustoms initiative.

Accenture will draw on its extensive experience working with customs agencies around the world and its High Performance Customs framework to support the program.

The contract was awarded following an invitation to tender issued by DG TAXUD and based on Accenture’s competitively priced bid and experience working with customs services. It also includes the option for two one-year extensions.

Vivansa, a Belgian technology company specializing in the customs industry, will work as a subcontractor to Accenture.