AT&T extends fee waiver

AT&T Government Solutions has decided to extend a fee waiver that allows agencies to purchase the company’s services without paying some charges until the end of 2006.

The fee waiver, initiated in July 2003, applies to standard and reasonable nonrecurring charges, according to the company. AT&T was not one of the original awardees of the FTS2001 contract in 1999 but later earned the right to provide services through it under a crossover program that the General Services Administration had built into the contract.

“We believe this offer will continue to encourage agencies to consider AT&T Government Solutions for their crossover needs,” said Lou Addeo, president of AT&T Government Solutions. “We’re a strong, stable company with competitive prices."

However, GSA is planning to award the Networx contract -- the successor to FTS2001 -- this summer. Warren Suss, president of Suss Consulting, said the year is going to be tough for network providers trying to earn new government business.

"AT&T is doing what it can," he said. "It’s a difficult time in the marketplace for nonincumbents until the Networx award. Because most agencies are beginning their planning for Networx, it’s going to be a tough road to attract new customers."