FAIRFAX, Va. - April 29, 2003 - NextiraOne Federal, a Platinum Equity company and provider of voice, data and video converged solutions to the U.S. government, has announced the award of the GSA "Connections" Worldwide Telecommunications Acquisition contract. While having an initial life cycle of three years, Connections will also boast the additional upside for five "optional" years. NextiraOne Federal values the GSA Connections contract in excess of $200 million.

Connections will enable the government the flexibility to plan their present and future acquisitions using procurement options that will allow them to choose not only the type, but also the solutions and services that they require. These choices can range from a single purchase option, to a full range of telecommunications products. It also moves purchasing into the e-business arena. One of the requirements for this contract was to make it e-business friendly with the ability to order, invoice, track and service business over the Internet.

"We are exceedingly proud of being awarded a GSA Connections Contract," said Steve Snyder, President of NextiraOne Federal. "The offerings that we have incorporated into our GSA Connections proposal are vast. We have compiled more than 75,000 product and service line items to provide our customers a full range of voice, data and convergence with installation, warranty, maintenance and training. Our Business Development Group directed by Edward Loughman, focused the Team's significant experience and our corporation's technical expertise to win this very important contract, which has the potential to become the Government's leading telecommunications buying vehicle for the next eight years."

NextiraOne Federal was successful in winning the GSA Connections contract in part because it has assembled a list of world-class partners, including alphabetically:

• Andrulis Corporation, a woman-owned small business and a leading provider of information technology solutions, engineering and business transformation services including voice and data telecommunications systems engineering, implementation, operations and maintenance.
• Applied Quality Communications Incorporated (AQC), a woman-owned small business specializing in local and wide-area network engineering, design and implementation.
• CORDEV Incorporated, a minority-owned high technology telecommunications and engineering services company and a major telecommunications services provider at military installations throughout the United States.
• Henkels & McCoy, one of the largest privately-held engineering, network infrastructure design and construction firms highly experienced in government and commercial communications, information technology and utility industries. Founded in 1923, Henkels & McCoy maintains a true national presence and consistently ranks at the top of the Engineering News-Record list of specialty contractors.
• Integrated Communications Systems Inc. (ICS), a small business that provides innovative information security services with expertise in technology and security analysis of voice, VoIP and data enterprises.
• L&E Associates Inc., a minority, disabled veteran owned small business providing total solutions, specializing in telecommunications, information technology, information security and engineering support.
• MasTec, a leading nationwide end-to-end voice, video, data and energy infrastructure solution provider, specializing in outside and inside plant and network infrastructure.
• Northrop Grumman Information Technology, a premier provider of advanced IT solutions, engineering and business services for government and commercial clients.
• Strategic Resources Inc. (SRI), an ISO 9001 certified, international minority, woman-owned small business specializing in providing leading edge information technology, engineering and telecommunication services which include installation, training, operations and maintenance of major switches and peripheral equipment for DOD and civilian operations across the United States.

About NextiraOne Federal
NextiraOne Federal (www.nextiraonefederal.com) is a world-class provider of secure communications, network solutions and lifecycle services to the federal government. Part of a $1.2 billion dollar company and owned by Platinum Equity (www.peh.com), NextiraOne Federal is an established partner in the federal marketplace, offering converged voice and data solutions with the added benefit of more than 40 years experience in mission-critical communications networking. The company provides best in class, vendor-independent products and a full range of services, from consultation, planning and design, through the implementation, support, and management of voice, data and converged network solutions.

About Platinum Equity
Platinum Equity (www.peh.com) is a global acquisition firm specializing in the strategic operation of mission-critical companies according to a unique M&A&O^SM model of value creation. Since it's founding in 1995, Platinum has completed over 40 privately funded transactions, leveraging a multi-billion dollar revenue base derived from the continued growth of its portfolio. With an established infrastructure in North America, Europe, Asia and South America, Platinum employs a workforce of more than 15,000 serving over 600,000 customer sites worldwide.

Contact:

NextiraOne Federal
Sandra Stone (703) 934-1017
Senior Marketing Communications Manager
Sandy.Stone@NextiraOneFederal.com

Edward Loughman (703) 934-1036
Executive Director Business Development
Edward.Loughman@NextiraOneFederal.com