THE BUSINESS OF TRACKING SEX OFFENDERS...BIG MONEY, AND LITIGIOUS

The state had planned to open bids today for two contracts --- one in North Florida and one in South Florida --- with a total of $3.9 million for companies to provide equipment which would use satellite technology to track sex offenders. However, that's been suspended due to a complaint by one company which says the state's changing the bid specifications put it out of the running.

The St. Petersburg Times' Steve Bousquet looks at the situation, which includes Mark Lunsford, whose daughter Jessica was murdered earlier this year and brought a great deal of attention to the issue of sexual predators and children, a company founded by former governor Bob Martinez, and the co-founder of the largest private operator of prisons.