[John Jorsett]

I'd like some enterprising reporter to dig into why this contract was awarded without competitive bid, and how many other such contracts has the state signed? I think that would be a fruitful avenue to explore.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I have been looking at this LA Times article which may have some detail on that:

Logicon Will Help Undo Oracle Deal

There has been such a flood of articles , I am uncertain whether it really has anything fresh in it!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

From the LLLA Tims article:

Logicon first began talking to state officials about signing a broad software licensing agreement in February 2001, Carrier said. Up until a week before the contract was signed on May 31, it was intended to be a deal between Logicon and the state, with Logicon arranging separately with Oracle for licensing. But state officials decided to contract directly with Oracle because they thought that would help them better meet the state's rules for contracts that avoid competitive bidding, Carrier said.