The opinion comes from Patricia Campbell-Smith, the very same judge that ordered Microsoft to cease work on the contract on February 13, until the court challenge is resolved.
Microsoft Disagrees
“We have confidence in our technology, our bid, and the professional staff at the Department of Defense. We believe that we will ultimately be able to move forward with the work,” he said. Microsoft President Brad Smith has previously talked up the company’s requirements, saying it worked to exceed them, rather than just meet them. This is an indication that it may have been a little too confident in its estimations. In an email to Business Insider, one analyst called this development a “gut punch” for Microsoft. Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives suggested there’s plenty of reason for the company to be concerned. At this point, it’s worth noting that these legal battles are very difficult to predict. There’s still much we don’t know about the case, Microsoft’s defense, and specific details of the proposals. Even so, the comments by a judge familiar with the case isn’t a good start for the tech giant.
