The Electronic Data Systems arm of General Motors Corp begins to look a very unreliable bidding partner on major contracts bids. Having left Northern Telecom stranded over here when it pulled out of the bidding for the UK Government Data Network, it has now effectively scuppered US Sprint Communications as a convincing contender for the massive FTS 2000 US government network by pulling out of the bidding for that too. It says it is not bidding because it fears further disruptions from continuing litigation, and there is unacceptable uncertainty in the timing and finality of any contract award. Its departure leaves the AT&T consortium and the one put together by Martin Marietta around MCI Communications as the only viable bidders, though EDS says that if Sprint wants to go ahead without it, it will provide support for an orderly transition.
