Qwest lands first crossover contract

Qwest Communications International Inc. won a multiyear contract to provide Web hosting services to an agency in the Labor Department, the company announced June 11.

This is the first contract Qwest has won since its Metropolitan Area Acquisition contract modification was approved. The company declined to identify the value or duration of the contract.


Qwest will provide hosting services for the Employment Training Administration, which is responsible for oversight and management of $10.5 billion in grant money each year and of programs such as the Job Corps and Unemployment Insurance.


Qwest's services will provide ETA with a disaster-recover solution: data storage and backup both on- and offsite, along with complete network redundancy. This will help the agency maintain availability and minimize vulnerability for its operating environment.


In January, Qwest became the first MAA provider qualified to offer Web hosting services under the GSA Federal Technology Service's long-distance crossover program. Federal agencies in regional markets can purchase local telecommunications services under MAA contracts.

Under FTS2001, agencies purchase long-distance services. The crossover program allows local and long distance providers to "cross over" and offer alternative choices under the other program.


To date, AT&T Corp., New York, is the only other MAA contract holder to earn crossover status for the long-distance services program.