8 ms·

I doubt it was a no-bid contract. And there are far more lucrative programs which raise far less eyebrows than this.

fapjacks 9y ago
This completely. For example, if you approach the US government through a solicitation with really any half-reasonable suggestion for processing enormous amounts of data, and you'll get a contract. Go take a look through the US government's business solicitations: Every agency wants an AI because they're being buried by data they can't process. If you wanted to collude with elected officials and funnel government dollars into your business, these kinds of solicitations will get you the funding with few questions. And if you fail, well, so has almost every other business that's tried to solve this problem.
- nl 9y ago
  As someone who has put in well qualified bids with university consortiums for multiple US government research contracts, including DARPA and other similar groups I can confirm that this is completely false.
  - fapjacks 9y ago
    As someone who has put in well qualified bids with university consortiums for multiple US government research contracts, including DARPA and other similar groups I can confirm that this is completely false. What is the size of your organization? How are you submitting bids, and where are you getting your solicitations? Does someone in your company network with the government liaisons beyond just the one you've submitted a bid to? Has your company hired someone to work this network for solicitations that aren't on FBO? Do your PIs have experience outside academia in contracting? I've been a part of several (successful) bids and -- operating under the assumption your claim was made in good faith and not just a lie -- I wonder at your approach. This is work that pretty much every organization in the US government needs.
    - nl 9y ago
      I was responding to your statement: For example, if you approach the US government through a solicitation with really any half-reasonable suggestion for processing enormous amounts of data, and you'll get a contract. Your subsequent comment proves my point: it isn't that easy. As it happens, we are well qualified, and we've won a number as well. My point is that your original statement is completely wrong (and ironically it appears you agree).
      - fapjacks 9y ago
        Nah. I mean in the context of finding solicitations and submitting bids for the US government generally, life's easier selling those services versus selling something like socks or transportation or something. I mean what I said: If you wanted to collude with elected officials and funnel government dollars into your business, you're not going to have as much scrutiny submitting bids for those kinds of solicitations than some of the people out there trying to submit bids to sell the Army a better rifle sling.

This completely. For example, if you approach the US government through a solicitation with really any half-reasonable suggestion for processing enormous amounts of data, and you'll get a contract. Go take a look through the US government's business solicitations: Every agency wants an AI because they're being buried by data they can't process. If you wanted to collude with elected officials and funnel government dollars into your business, these kinds of solicitations will get you the funding with few questions. And if you fail, well, so has almost every other business that's tried to solve this problem.

nl 9y ago
As someone who has put in well qualified bids with university consortiums for multiple US government research contracts, including DARPA and other similar groups I can confirm that this is completely false.
- fapjacks 9y ago
  As someone who has put in well qualified bids with university consortiums for multiple US government research contracts, including DARPA and other similar groups I can confirm that this is completely false. What is the size of your organization? How are you submitting bids, and where are you getting your solicitations? Does someone in your company network with the government liaisons beyond just the one you've submitted a bid to? Has your company hired someone to work this network for solicitations that aren't on FBO? Do your PIs have experience outside academia in contracting? I've been a part of several (successful) bids and -- operating under the assumption your claim was made in good faith and not just a lie -- I wonder at your approach. This is work that pretty much every organization in the US government needs.
  - nl 9y ago
    I was responding to your statement: For example, if you approach the US government through a solicitation with really any half-reasonable suggestion for processing enormous amounts of data, and you'll get a contract. Your subsequent comment proves my point: it isn't that easy. As it happens, we are well qualified, and we've won a number as well. My point is that your original statement is completely wrong (and ironically it appears you agree).
    - fapjacks 9y ago
      Nah. I mean in the context of finding solicitations and submitting bids for the US government generally, life's easier selling those services versus selling something like socks or transportation or something. I mean what I said: If you wanted to collude with elected officials and funnel government dollars into your business, you're not going to have as much scrutiny submitting bids for those kinds of solicitations than some of the people out there trying to submit bids to sell the Army a better rifle sling.