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Gateway Inc. agreed to pay $9 million to settle claims it overcharged the U.S., the government said. The Justice Department accused the personal-computer maker of violating a contract with the General Services Administration. The contract required Gateway to charge the government reduced prices on products if they were discounted for other major accounts between the time the government ordered them and their shipment date. San Diego-based Gateway failed to pass along the reductions between May 1994 and March 1997, the government said. “We settled a dispute with the GSA to avoid the expense and time of litigation,” said spokesman Tyson Heyn. “We have admitted no wrongdoing, and the federal government continues to be one of our most valuable customers.” Gateway rose $1.01 to close at $51.61 on the New York Stock Exchange.