Botach in news again - This time big time.

[FastFinger]

Well, actually, not Botach, but rather a former Botach employee.

According to this report in the New York Times a former employee, a nephew of Botach's owner, is accused of supplying sub-standard ammunition to ally forces in Afghanistan.

BTW I think I'm in the wrong line of work. It appears to be pretty easy to land fat government contracts with little to zero experience and credibility. Where do I sign up?

[lonewolf]

Well with no credibility and zero experience maybe California DOJ BOF!

[Rem1492]

It isnt that easy, but easier than you think if.........
you are a disabled vet owner
woman
woman minority (not counting caucasian even though caucasians are a minority there)
low-income


Acquisitions offices handle contracts and typically go in that order. That is why you see substandard work on base or with contracts at times, the BEST choice was some white civilian guy down the street, but the one picked was actually some minority chick who has no idea what she is doing.

Many people know this system and have their wife take ownership of the company or they put somebody in charge who is a minority etc.... lots of ways to fudge the system.

dont even get me started on the USAFs tanker debacle.

[FastFinger]

...dont even get me started on the USAFs tanker debacle.

In yesterday's LATimes Boeing had a full page ad presenting the highlights of their side of the the controversy. Interesting read.

[thefooz]

I was playing COD 4 yesterday and a military quote popped up on the screen that reminded me of this thread.

"Always remember that everything you're using was supplied by the lowest bidder"

Kinda puts things in perspective.

[50 Freak]

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Well with no credibility and zero experience maybe California DOJ BOF!

That's not true, I heard that part of the selection process is that you have to shoot a wooden desk with an AR at 5 yards. Also heard this part knocks out 90% of the DOJ applicants right out of the application process. The DOJ wants the best you know.

[paradox]

Great blog post about this:

http://majikthise.typepad.com/majikthise_/2008/03/botach-tactic-1.html

[dwtt]

BTW I think I'm in the wrong line of work. It appears to be pretty easy to land fat government contracts with little to zero experience and credibility. Where do I sign up?

Don't even get me started on this. I used to work for a govt contractor, a prime contractor for a govt agency in Livermore. Part of my work involved purchasing equipment and supplies, and I wrote up the requirements and selection criteria from a technical standpoint. Then the idiots in procurement took over and they dictated everything else. The bid always go to the lowest bidder, even if they provide questionable parts or services. The burden is on the govt to prove the work or product doesn't meet the _minimum_ requirements, otherwise the procurement department will force us to take what the low bidder offers. Then there's special points in the selection process given to minority and women owned businesses. Then there's the set-asides, which I luckily didn't have to deal with.
The employees at this operation are lazy, stupid, and arrogant, which explained why their projects always went over budget, behind schedule, and rarely accomplished their stated objectives.
If you want to get on this gravy train as a contractor or subcontractor, just look in the federal business opportunity magazine that's published each week. It's a gold mine for the company that sells stuff that's not marketable in the commercial market, for contractors who can't get work, and those too lazy to complete any job they start. Honest businesses and contractors don't look in this magazine, the govt finds them when the first contractor or supplier fails to deliver.
Ok, that's enough ranting from me.