Hung Up: a $25 Billion System The federal phone snafu

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Whatever the motive, the manipulation has backfired. The GSA must now determine whether to start the bidding over again on the $55 million contract. The installation of FTS-2000 could be delayed a year or two while the investigations take place. The Government has estimated that it will lose $100 million for every year that it must go on using its antiquated phone system. Says Ringling: "Government workers could end up using cans and string waiting for them to settle this." As for Soni, the enigmatic engineer faces potential criminal charges.