ACS declines offer from private-equity investors

One of two systems integrators exploring whether to sell their business to a group of private-equity investors has decided not to sell after all.

Affiliated Computer Services Inc. said today in a written statement that recent unsolicited discussions with a group of private-equity investors regarding the possible sale of the company have ended.

ACS also was considering a possible dual-class recapitalization proposal set forth in the company's proxy statement, published Sept. 30.

The Dallas company said it did not reach an agreement on terms on either of these alternatives, and that they are no longer being considered.

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month that Blackstone Group was leading a group of investors interested in purchasing ACS.

The other acquisition involved Hewlett-Packard Co. and a group of private-equity groups, led by the Blackstone Group, that were studying a possible purchase of Computer Sciences Corp. The equity groups were drawn to ACS and CSC because their respective outsourcing businesses generate substantial cash flow.

ACS, which offers business process outsourcing and IT solutions, has about 55,000 employees and had annual revenue of $4.3 billion in fiscal 2005.

The company ranks No. 51 on Washington Technology's 2005 Top 100 list of federal prime contractors.