State Delays Action On $2.4B Contract

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- A new $2.4 billion contract for a prescription drug plan for state employees has been pulled from the Board of Public Works agenda after a company competing for the contract filed a protest about the procurement process. 

Sheila McDonald, the executive secretary of the board, said she received notice from the Maryland Department of Management and Budget on Tuesday that the contract would be withdrawn from Wednesday's agenda. 

Catalyst Rx, a Rockville-based company seeking the contract, has appealed the department's recommendation to award the contract to Missouri-based Express Scripts, Inc., to the state's Board of Contract Appeals. 

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