Google files case against U.S. government over contract exclusion

Google Inc sued the U.S. government on Friday for not including its Web-based productivity software in the Department of the Interor’s bid for an email system upgrade.

The DOI’s five-year contract worth about $59 million only considered sales proposals with email technology based on Microsoft Corp technology, according to Google’s complaint.

“The RFQ (request for proposal) specified that only the Microsoft Business productivity Online Suite-Federal (“BPOS-Federal”) could be proposed,” Google’s complaint stated.

Google added that the Department’s move is in contrast to “assurances to Google representatives that DOI would conduct a full and open competition for its messaging requirements.”

There was no comment given by the Department of the Interior.

Source: Rueters