Google sues US over government contract exclusion

Google is suing the US government for excluding its products from being considered for a five-year contract worth about $59 million to upgrade the Department of the Interior's email system.

In a complaint filed on Oct 29, Google said the government abused its discretion and acted in a manner that was "arbitrary and capricious" by only considering sales proposals with email technology based on Microsoft Corp technology. The suit comes as Google, the Internet search leader, steps up efforts to court federal, state and local government customers for its online email and productivity products. Google said the Department of the Interior's move ran contrary to "assurances to Google representatives that DOI would conduct a full and open competition for its messaging requirements."