We are pleased to inform you that the new Allocate & Claim System (ACS) will be launched with the start of business Friday, March 28, 2003.  

■          3270 GUS TO BE ELIMINATED

As previously described, the new application will replace the GUS system.  All functions currently performed using GUS will be performed using ACS.  The ACS application is browser-based, accessed through the Internet via the CME applications portal at https://portal.cme.com -- exactly the same way firms currently access the browser-based Electronic Trade Posting (ETP) application for viewing and modifying GLOBEX^� trades.  Firms using the on-line GUS screens should make certain before March 28th that they have portal access and ACS application access through the portal.

■          ACS-API MESSAGES

The existing TREX-based API for give-up processing will not change, with the exception that there are new message types via which sub-allocations can be performed.  Firms will still receive TREX messages for their accepted give-ups, and they may choose to perform allocations and acceptances via TREX messages, exactly as they do today.

■          TRADE ID SEQUENCE RANGE CHANGE

The current trade id (50,000 - 64,999) for pit give-up offset and allocation transactions (GUSO's and GUSA's) and GLOBEX give-ups (800001 � 999999) will change to 500001 to 999999.   All offsets/accepts will be in the 500001 range EXCEPT when the allocation quantity goes over 9999; then the offset or accept will begin in the 800001 range.  These trade ID's will be on both the TREX confirm messages (position 140-145 of the main block) and on the Trade Register.

■          GIVE UP ROUTING FILES

For those few firms still receiving GUS routing files, either end-of-day or intraday, we will continue to route GUSR files but only every half hour rather than on-demand.  We will complete the phase-out of these routing files very shortly after the launch. 

■          ACCESSING ACS

When accessing the "Front-End Clearing" application via the portal, you will have two selections, ETP or ACS:

• The ETP application will continue to work as it currently does.

• The "ACS" application will allow you to perform all give-up functions currently executed via GUS.

Please note that ACS has no "memo-add" capability.   If a previous-day matched trade needs to be given up, you have to use the ETP application to select that trade and route it to ACS.  As is currently done, a top-day pit trade can be routed to ACS via TES (the Trade Entry System).

■          THURSAY � MARCH 27, 2003

• The 3270 screens for GUS will go down at their normal 7:00 p.m. Chicago time.

• No GUS processing for next-day (March 28th) trades may be performed.

• The new ACS on-line application will be available beginning at 7:30 a.m. Chicago time Friday, March 28th.

Please note also that any unaccepted allocations in GUS at the close of business on Thursday March 27th, will not be automatically transferred to ACS.   Firms will need to use Type 8 Transfers to move positions. 

If you have any questions, please contact Client Management Operations at one of the numbers below:

Contact:                       System:                        Number:                       E-mail:

Farris Oweimrin            FEC/ACS                    312-648-4780                 foweimri@cme.com

Mahmoud Ajamia         Portal Access                312-634-1595                 majamia@cme.com

Stacy Jurek                  Portal Access                312-338-2088                  sjurek@cme.com