Franchot blocks $55M Microsoft contract

For the second time this year, Comptroller Peter Franchot has blocked the awarding of a major information technology contract by the state, this time a $55 million contract for Microsoft software for all state agencies and local governments as well.

“Here we go again,” Franchot said on Wednesday at the Board of Public Works meeting that approves large state purchases. “I see this all over the place ? that no way can we find a minority business enterprise.”