In brief: Xerox in line for Michigan tax stamp award

The US state of Michigan is considering awarding a $9.6m tax stamp contract to Xerox amid allegations of bias in the selection process, reports the Associated Press.

Michigan's State Administrative Board was mulling over the five-year contract - which could see Xerox technology added to 450m cigarette packs - over the course of last week.

The company has been vying with two other security documentation firms - De La Rue North America and SICPA - for the contract, with the rivals accusing state officials of unfairly favouring Xerox by failing to inform them of changes to the bid criteria, notes AP. The final verdict could be made at the State Administrative Board's next scheduled meeting on October 29.

The US Department of Justice estimates that state governments lose $5bn a year due to cigarette smuggling.