Postmaster General Anthony M. Frank said there...

Postmaster General Anthony M. Frank said there was only a “50-50” chance that a controversial no-bid contract with Texas entrepreneur H. Ross Perot would go into effect. Perot earlier this year agreed to a 10-year noncompetitive contract aimed at cutting Postal Service costs, but critics of the plan objected, saying it violated U.S. government procurement practices. Under normal government procedures, such contracts are awarded in a bid process. The contract was subsequently suspended and faces an investigation by the Government Accounting Office, a court suit and a Congressional hearing. “We’re hopeful of favorable progress so we can proceed, admittedly with some modifications,” Frank said. “If this is not possible--and I would say it’s at best a 50-50--the clear loser will be the American people.”