Sprint avoids GSA debarment

The General Services Administration's Agency Suspension and Debarment Official has decided not to propose debarment of Sprint Corp., the company announced Tuesday.

The debarment consideration arose from a whistleblower lawsuit alleging that Sprint had overcharged the government for long-distance services under the FTS2001 contract.

The company settled the lawsuit in June, paying $5.2 million and withdrawing another $339,000 in charges.

The company called the settlement a billing dispute. Sprint has since changed the internal processes that led to the dispute, the company said in a written statement.

The company serves more than 50 federal agencies and bureaus under FTS2001. The departments of Defense, Justice and Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs and U.S. Courts are among its largest customers.

Based in Overland Park, Kan., Sprint employs approximately 70,000 employees and provides services in more than 100 countries. The company reported 2002 revenue of $26.6 billion, and was ranked No. 49 on the Washington Technology 2003 Top 100 list.