Waiting for the spending boom

In the past year, the federal technology market has flown where others have fallen. But the flight hasn't been smooth.

Several high-profile contracts worth billions of dollars experienced some major hiccups. The rollout of the Navy's new communications network, known as the Navy Marine Corps

Intranet, was delayed because a huge number of old databases and systems had to be modernized. The FBI accelerated its Trilogy project to update antiquated technology systems after Senate oversight hearings revealed the bureau is still in the technological Dark Ages and can't even move basic information electronically from one field office to another. And the Defense Department became embroiled in a months-long struggle to award a $450 million high-speed information network contract after its top choice, Global Crossing, filed for the largest bankruptcy in telecommunications history.

The turbulent year was marked most dramatically by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, which had a severe effect on an already weak commercial technology market.