Panel approves measure killing $10 billion US VISIT contract

[jonessa2]

Panel approves measure killing $10 billion US VISIT contract (http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0604/060904tdpm2.htm)
http://www.govexec.com
<span style='color:navy'>DAILY BRIEFING June 9, 2004
From National Journal's Technology Daily

A potentially $10 billion contract to Bermuda-based Accenture Ltd., could be nullified under an amendment approved, 35-17, by the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday.
The amendment, offered by Reps. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., and Marion Berry, D-Ark., would negate the Homeland Security Department's contract with the company for U.S. VISIT, its new system to track foreign visitors entering and exiting the country.
Rep. James Moran, D-Va., cautioned lawmakers that negating the contract would ensue a lawsuit and delay improved border security. But DeLauro and other lawmakers argued it was anti-American to award a contract to a company headquartered offshore to intentionally avoid paying U.S. taxes.
Other panel members said Accenture pays a higher percentage of taxes than the two other domestic bidders it beat out for the award -- Lockheed Martin, which is based in Maryland, and Computer Sciences Corp., located in California...</span>

[jonessa2]

Contractor vows to continue work on $10 billion border system (http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?artic leid=28723&printerfriendlyVers= 1&)
<span style='color:navy'>DAILY BRIEFING June 10, 2004
By Chris Strohm
cstrohm@govexec.com

The prime contractor for a multibillion-dollar homeland security program vowed Thursday to continue work despite calls that its contract be canceled because its parent company is based outside the United States.

…. (http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?artic leid=28723&printerfriendlyVers= 1&)The Homeland Security Department passed over two U.S.-based companies, Lockheed Martin Corp. and Computer Sciences Corp., in awarding the contract to Accenture, whose parent company, Accenture Ltd., is headquartered in Bermuda.…. (http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?artic leid=28723&printerfriendlyVers= 1&)

&quot;By moving overseas in order to reduce their tax burden, Accenture has not only cost the U.S. Treasury millions of dollars which could be put to use in improving our homeland security, but they have placed loyal U.S. companies at a permanent competitive disadvantage,&quot; the letter stated.…. (http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?artic leid=28723&printerfriendlyVers= 1&)

McAvoy challenged claims that Accenture is avoiding U.S. taxes.</span>(118)

More.... (http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?artic leid=28723&printerfriendlyVers= 1&)