Haliburton and Armor
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From: Never Never Land
Haliburton and Armor
You know, it amazes me that the very same Democrats/Liberals who where screaming about Haliburton getting non-competitive, sole source contracts are now busting Rumsfield and the Pentagon about not getting Armor to the troops fast enough.
You may ask what's that got to do with Haliburton? Well, anyone who is familiar with govt acquisition knows that there are HUGE volumes of Federal Acquistion Rules (FAR) that must be followed. One of which that says (paraphrasing here) that items must be competitively bid unless there is significant justification to go sole source. Competitive bidding is a very time consuming process. When you absolutely, positively have to have it now you go to the people who have proven they can do it.
The services that Haliburton offer was in immediate need as it was during the Balkan war in which Haliburton was awarded sole source contracts under the Clinton administration. To get the Armor the troops need in the TIME in which they need it will mean the procurement folks will be working overtime justifying the sole source contracts.
Now of course they'll be some company out there who thinks they may have the armor of choice, etc. who does not get the contract and will immediately contact thier Congressman and file a dispute which may delay the purchase of the Armor. And of course that same Congressman will bitch about Rumsy for not coming thru and supporting the troops.
Bottom line is there is no difference between the two but the Democrats keep grasping at straws. Congress makes the laws, the Pentagon just follows them.
I do NOT profess to be an acquistion specialist but the last 4 yrs of my 21 years active duty has been working in an organization that does procurement/sustainment of military equipment.
Politicians, of both parties, don't give a crap about GI's unless there in front of a camera. Too many laws have been passed forcing the Pentagon to do and/or buy things to benefit certain businesses and people with special interest. Not saying all are bad, just that most of the times the politicians don't put the need of the GI first.
God Bless America and y'all have a Merry Christmas
:santa:
You may ask what's that got to do with Haliburton? Well, anyone who is familiar with govt acquisition knows that there are HUGE volumes of Federal Acquistion Rules (FAR) that must be followed. One of which that says (paraphrasing here) that items must be competitively bid unless there is significant justification to go sole source. Competitive bidding is a very time consuming process. When you absolutely, positively have to have it now you go to the people who have proven they can do it.
The services that Haliburton offer was in immediate need as it was during the Balkan war in which Haliburton was awarded sole source contracts under the Clinton administration. To get the Armor the troops need in the TIME in which they need it will mean the procurement folks will be working overtime justifying the sole source contracts.
Now of course they'll be some company out there who thinks they may have the armor of choice, etc. who does not get the contract and will immediately contact thier Congressman and file a dispute which may delay the purchase of the Armor. And of course that same Congressman will bitch about Rumsy for not coming thru and supporting the troops.
Bottom line is there is no difference between the two but the Democrats keep grasping at straws. Congress makes the laws, the Pentagon just follows them.
I do NOT profess to be an acquistion specialist but the last 4 yrs of my 21 years active duty has been working in an organization that does procurement/sustainment of military equipment.
Politicians, of both parties, don't give a crap about GI's unless there in front of a camera. Too many laws have been passed forcing the Pentagon to do and/or buy things to benefit certain businesses and people with special interest. Not saying all are bad, just that most of the times the politicians don't put the need of the GI first.
God Bless America and y'all have a Merry Christmas
:santa:
Last edited by 2fords; Dec 10, 2004 at 10:37 AM.
