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TMCNet: BRIEF: Idaho Education Network mediation fails

[March 19, 2010]

BRIEF: Idaho Education Network mediation fails

Mar 19, 2010 (The Idaho Statesman - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Officials and attorneys from the state, Syringa Networks and Qwest met all day Thursday in an attempt to resolve Syringa's $60 million lawsuit against the Department of Administration.


The mediation concluded about 8 p.m. and "produced no agreement," according to Syringa lobbyist Ken McClure.

Lawmakers requested the mediation earlier this month. Last week legislative budget writers delayed setting the Department of Administration's budget to see how the mediation played out.

A telecommunication company, Syringa Networks, is suing over the state's award of the contract to install the Idaho Education Network, a statewide broadband network, to Qwest Communications Co., whose bid was higher than Syringa's and rated as less technically proficient in an independent review.

Syringa also alleges that Mike Gwartney, director of the Department of Administration, tried to strong-arm and blackball the company.

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