U.S. awards $50 billion technology contract to 29 firms

The U.S. government said on Tuesday that it has chosen 29 companies to provide information technology services to federal agencies in a contract worth up to $50 billion. Winners include Electronic Data Systems, IBM, L-3 Communications Holdings and Unisys. The contract will run for at least five years and can be extended for up to five more, with a maximum value of $50 billion, according to the U.S. General Services Administration, the agency that administers the contract.

Government agencies will be able to hire those 29 companies that were selected or prequalified to provide them with computers, software and IT services products covered under the contract. That covers a broad range of management and technical-support services. Other companies that were qualified include AT&T, BearingPoint, CACI International, Computer Sciences Corp., General Dynamics, Raytheon, Harris and Lockheed Martin.