Company hired for Va. IT help costing money, disrupting work

[Blue_Tires]

RICHMOND

Virginia's ambitious 10-year, $2 billion public-private partnership with Northrop Grumman Corp. to upgrade and consolidate the state's computer systems has hit a rocky patch.

The program is millions in the red, state agencies are complaining of high costs and poor service, and Northrop Grumman is not meeting its contractual obligations, the state's chief information officer said last week. He suggested withholding payment on the company's current $14 million invoice.

A few hours later, he was removed from his job.

The shake-up got the attention of state lawmakers. Sen. Charles Colgan, D-Prince William, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has asked a subcommittee chaired by Sen. Yvonne Miller, D-Norfolk, to look into the issues raised by the ousted official, Lemuel Stewart Jr..

The committee is expected to discuss the controversy at a meeting today.

http://hamptonroads.com/2009/06/company-hired-va-it-help-costing-money-disrupting-work

[westerebus]

1. I smell a scandal on the horizon.

It figures. Who in their right mind would hire the kings of cost over run? If it's good enough for the Defense Department, it's good enough for Richmond.