1.   And the past winter, Bogota, Columbia selected a busway system over seven rail-transit proposals submitted by competing firms.

2.   A breakup could divide the company into several competing firms, or could sever Windows from the rest of the company.

3.   But securities analysts and executives at competing firms said they would withhold anything more than initially polite applause until they could see some results.

4.   But two competing firms have similar double-speed modems in the works, and the bad news for consumers is that none of the three technologies are compatible.

5.   Competing firms headed by lesser-known executives have a tougher time raising money.

6.   Competing accounting firms have also lost clients this year, but fewer.

7.   Competing firms such as Vanguard Group and T. Rowe Price Associates Inc. already market so-called fund of funds.

8.   Competing firms voiced little concern Wednesday about potential competition from the new venture.

9.   Currently in many California state contracts, affirmative action-qualified firms can submit higher priced bids than competing firms and still win a contract.

10.   Dan Janal, an Internet marketing consultant in Danville, said small Web sites have a right to name competing firms.