Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

"In a statement issued this week, ULA said it is “the only government certified launch provider that meets all of the unique . . . requirements that are critical to supporting our troops and keeping our country safe.”"

Wow. Unique requirements that were no doubt co-written by the only party that can provide them.

If the requirements are unique that is still no reason to go no-bid, after all it might be possible for another party to re-tool and/or adapt to those requirement and still beat the only party currently able to supply.

Elon Musk makes a good point when he says that he's willing to lose but he wants the right to bid.



as a former department of homeland security employee this is business as usual. you think it was an accident that these were no-bid or that some random canadian company got the healthcare website contract when there are thousands of americans who could have done it better? just scratching the backs of their donors. nothing to see here.


Agree completely, with the minor nitpick that its not donors to politicians here so much as the revolving door between military/bureaucracy of the government and the industrial complex.


>some random canadian company got the healthcare website contract

Whose backs were being scratched in that case?


CGI Federal had some interesting ties to the Obamas.

http://www.factcheck.org/2013/12/michelle-obama-and-cgi-fede...


Actually the cited article conclusion reads:

  Conclusion

  There is no evidence that Townes-Whitley’s connection to the first lady, 
  or CGI’s campaign contributions, had anything to do with the contract being 
  awarded to CGI Federal as viral emails suggest.

  Company and government officials say the contract was awarded through a competitive 
  — yet limited — process, and that Townes-Whitley was not involved.


Just like when the same federal agency investigates their own employees and finds no wrong doing. Or when a cop is investigated, etc..

I've seen the corruption first hand.. first in the navy and then as a contractor. The joke about the $500 hammer isn't a joke at all.




Consider applying for YC's Summer 2026 batch! Applications are open till May 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: