Every time in the past three months that I've said, "I think I'm done traveling for the year..." I've been wrong.
This time, it is the Navy's fault. I'm even missing my wedding anniversary for this one.
Since children might accidentally view this, I can't properly express what I think about releasing a Request for Proposal the way they just did:
- 35 day turnaround (30 is the minimum, 45 is considered accelerated, 60 is typical, 90 or 120 are not unusual)
- Announce that the RFP release date would be November 15, then release only a draft on that date, then make no announcement for 3 weeks after November 22, THEN release the final RFP on December 10
- Change the solicitation number between the draft and the final RFP, and put the final RFP on a separate webpage without removing the webpage for the draft, so people checking the webpage for update don't notice it right away...
- Keep the Air Force out of the loop, so that the Air Force personnel who are participating in the acquisition look stupid when contractors talk to them (actually, this could be a legal problem...anyone on the source selection committee is not supposed to have contact with anyone bidding after the RFP is released, If the person doesn't KNOW that the RFP is released, they can't avoid that contact. I'm fairly certain that I've talked with at least one person on the source selection after the RFP release because they were unaware...)
- I could go on more, but you get the point...
And so, a parody of the Village People seems appropriate...
We derive our pleasure
When we spend our treasure
On science technology
Dorking up lives makes our dreams all come true
Spotting targets land and sea
Where bombs and missles fly
Or commandos skin dive
Study geopositioning
We don't need a big band
To blow up that grandstand
When we buy tech that's neat!
In the Navy
This procurement won't be fair
In the Navy
But we really do not care
Come on, just bid it, pretty please!
In the Navy
In the Navy
When we release our RFPs
In the Navy
We screw up holidays with ease
In the Navy
Because we're evil SOBs
In the Navy
Come on, just bid it, pretty please!
In the Navy...In the Navy...In the Navy
We'll screw you, we'll screw you
We'll screw you, and your family too!
