[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 140 (Monday, October 30, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2025]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            FTS 2001 PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS M. DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 30, 2000

  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the U.S. 
Government Federal Telecommunications Services contracts, called FTS 
2000/2001. As a member of the Government Reform Subcommittee on 
Government Management, Information and Technology and with my continued 
interest in information technology issues, I believe it is important 
that we do all we can to ensure that a customer--as large and important 
as the U.S. Government--is not short-changed in the midst of the 
digital age.
  Since the passage of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, 
telecommunications and high-tech companies have experienced colossal 
incentives to offer more advanced services and lower prices for 
consumers. This industry continues to have the opportunity to form 
strategic unions with its government customers to place a new emphasis 
on the latest technological innovations and showcase offerings of 
voice, data and video services throughout the United States and the 
world.
  Even though we are making progress since passage of the 1966 Act, I 
remain concerned about the recent articles I've read stating that 
winning FTS vendors and the Federal government have run behind schedule 
in conversion of the contracts from FTS 2000 to 2001. This has impacted 
the competition built into the FTS 2001 contract. I find it troublesome 
to learn that this has resulted in a limited competitive opportunity 
for young, cutting-edge companies. As a result, this marketplace has 
experienced little in the way of introduction of new products and 
services to the government market.
  I believe that it is important that we exercise our Congressional 
oversight authority and we quickly review the fair process that was 
initially established for federal agencies under the FTS 2000/2001 
programs in order to restore competition within the government sector.

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