A Ban Comes and Goes for IBM

April 4th, 2008 by Julia Lim

Blink and you missed it. Just a week after the initial reports of IBM being banned from new federal government contracts, the ban is lifted.

What happened?

Here’s the best detailed article I could find about what happened. Apparently, IBM might have gotten some insider info on competitors’ bids for a new EPA financial system valued at $84 million. So far, 5 IBM employees have been put on administrative leave, and maybe that was enough people being thrown under the bus to lift the ban on the entire company. Corporate ethics, anyone?

I’m reminded of the scene in Camelot where King Arthur, played by the much made-up Richard Harris (loved him as Dumbledore), comes up with the idea for the Round Table, chivalry and Might for Right – instead of the prevalent Might Makes Right.

And I wonder if this same thing had happened to a small company, given these kinds of accusations about illegal activities and the reciprocal agreement by other agencies to honor bans – would that ban have been lifted so quickly or at all until after the investigation was done?

To tell you the truth, I’m not wondering too hard.

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April 4th, 2008