CSC Wins E-Gov Contracts With Embassies

Computer Sciences Corp. has won a pair of 10-year contracts to help U.S. embassies and consulates provide visa information and support services. The two contracts issued by the Bureau of Consular Affairs are worth $100 million, the company announced Jan. 18.

Under the contracts, CSC of El Segundo, Calif., will provide electronic government services, including customer contact centers that have integrated voice-response systems, live operators, automated fax-back systems and Web services.

Visa information services started in December in Mexico. Other operations are to begin in February in Central America. The Benelux countries ? Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg ? and Germany will get services this summer.

CSC will provide a single point of contract and information for visa services. The contracts include requirements for timeliness, accuracy and quality of service that CSC must provide.

U.S. embassies, consular offices and mission provide citizens of other countries with information on how to apply for individual visas to visit the United States. The Bureau of Consular Affairs turned to technology to meet growing demand and a shrinking number of employees, CSC officials said.

CSC teamed with TeleTech Holdings Inc. of Denver to bid on the contracts. TeleTech operates customer interaction centers, employing more than 22,000 people in 11 countries that speak 25 languages.