In the competitive world of telecom, when all else fails, sue. That’s one way of looking at Syringa Networks approach to a dispute with the state of Idaho over an education network being built statewide there. Syringa Networks, a Boise, Idaho based regional fiber network, claims that the award to build the state educational network was wrongfully awarded to Qwest.
As reported by the AP, Syringa argues that they are the “most technically proficient bidder and also the least expensive,” but the state awarded the contract to Qwest anyway. The suit names Qwest, the Idaho agency which awarded the contract, as well as several officials within that agency, including its chief technology officer, Jack Zickau.
Syringa is seeking annulment of the contract, unspecified damages, attorney’s fees, and a barring of Qwest from future work on the contract. Syringa also claims in the suit that officials within the accused state agency warned Syringa that if they complained about Qwest winning the contract in question, they would put their existing state contracts in jeopardy. Looks like this has the potential to get ugly.
