Qwest doesn't join DREN protests
Three other unsuccessful bidders have protested DISA's contract award to WorldCom
Qwest Communications International Inc. has decided not to protest the Defense Department contract for a high-speed network for researchers.
A company spokesman confirmed the company's decision April 23.
Quest's move is somewhat of a surprise given that the three other unsuccessful bidders — Sprint, Global Crossing Ltd. and AT&T — have protested the Defense Information Systems Agency's April 4 award to WorldCom Inc.
DISA has put work on the Defense Research and Engineering Network (DREN) on hold pending the General Accounting Office's determination on the protests.
The $450 million DREN is to be a high-speed network for defense laboratories and researchers across the country.
After a start-and-stop history, DISA finally awarded the contract this month.
Global Crossing won the original DREN award last year. But DISA retracted that decision after unsuccessful bidders protested the decision, contesting that Global Crossing could not meet the contract's security requirements.
In January, DISA was set to award the reissued bid to Global again, but that announcement was delayed. Just days later, Global Crossing filed for bankruptcy protection. DISA was then scheduled to make an award last month but delayed again in the wake of Global Crossing's ongoing financial woes.