Qwest to Bid on GSA Networx Contract

Qwest Communications International Inc. (www.qwest.com) announced that it has full corporate support technologically and operationally to bid positions on the U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) Networx Universal and Enterprise contracts, worth more than $40 billion in total. Qwest has assembled a team of industry leading technology and service partners to support the vast requirements associated with the Networx awards.

Qwest’s position encourages the GSA to make multiple Networx awards that ensure all federal agencies will enjoy the benefits of competition. Since the GSA allowed Qwest and others in 2001 to compete with FTS 2001 incumbent providers, federal agencies have had more choices, resulting in lower prices and better service, as well as innovation for all agencies.

“Historically, federal agencies have had few communications choices and lacked the same competitive benefits that commercial customers have enjoyed,” said Richard C. Notebaert, chairman and CEO, Qwest Communications.

The Qwest-led team bidding for Networx includes industry leaders Akamai Technologies, Bearing Point, BellSouth, Hawaiian Telecom Services Company, Istonish Holding Company, Lucent Technologies, Science Applications International Corporation, Wire One Communications and over 30 additional businesses, including small and disadvantaged companies.