Press Release of Value Enhanced Technology Services Inc (VETS, Inc):

22 October 2009  

In response to Mr. Lowry's article in the October 21st edition of the Huntsville Times regarding the award of a $13 million sole-source no-bid contract by the State of Alabama to Paragon Source, VETS, Inc offers the following information for clarification. VETS, Inc. served as a subcontractor on a prior unrelated Paragon Source contract with the Alabama State Finance Department from 1 May 2008 until 22 November 2008. Then, again for a short period in January 2009. It is this work which is named on the VETS website as "Modernization Consulting Services" for the State of Alabama.

The rates declared by Mr. Lowry in his article are the rates charged by Paragon to the State of Alabama, not by VETS, Inc. to Paragon. VETS, Inc. participation in the previous contract was unrelated to and not a result of Dr. Williams' previous tenure as the Alabama State Finance Director, nor his previous contribution to Gov. Riley's 2002 campaign. VETS, Inc. has had no continuing business relationship with Paragon Source since January 2009, and did not participate in activities involving proposal, evaluation, or award of the current disputed sole source contract, nor for the previous contract on which VETS, Inc. performed work as a subcontractor.