Re the below, from the Inquirer, my first thought was that the ban, if it sticks, could benefit Sun in a modest way. Less competition for servers, software, whatever for business with the U.S. Government. Any thoughts?
Big Blue banned from federal contracts Dodgy deals done dirt cheap
By Nick Farrell: Tuesday, 01 April 2008, 7:19 AM
IBM is in hot water over what authorities describe as “interactions between employees of the company and the US Environmental Protection Agency”.
We don't know what it means either, but Biggish Blue has been banned from applying for any new federal contracts until the scandal has been sorted out.
No one is talking about why the ban has come into place. IBM said it was cooperating with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, which served grand jury subpoenas seeking documents and testimony in the case.
A spokesblue said that the outfit was having a chat with the EPA about the matter. The company was stunned by the ban, which appeared to have come out of the much-bigger blue.
It has 30 days to contest the ban which could continue for a year.
Stan Soloway, who heads the Professional Services Council, told AP that the EPA had imposed the suspension without telling IBM. He said the move was unusual and said it has huge ramifications. µ
L'Inq AP
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