4 ms·

I think we read different articles. From the article: > The Pentagon released the JEDI request for proposals nine months after Mr. Ubhi recused himself. > Am

I think we read different articles. From the article: > The Pentagon released the JEDI request for proposals nine months after Mr. Ubhi recused himself. > Amazon has countered that the Pentagon identified 72 people substantially involved in developing the contract and its requirements, and that Mr. Ubhi worked on JEDI for only seven weeks, in the early stages. Which one would you rather believe: Some random noob, one of 72, works for 7 weeks, and magically has such a major impact that it's still felt 9 months later? Or Amazon, which has been the leader in Cloud for about a decade, is just the better (safer) option?

rdtsc 8y ago
> I think we read different articles. Not sure. I clicked this link https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/20/technology/military-contract-deap-ubhi.html https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/20/technology/military-contr... which one did you click? > Some random noob, one of 72, works for 7 weeks, and magically has such a major impact that it's still felt 9 months later? 9 months is not a lot of time in government land. Before the request for proposal is sent out, often, a pick is already made informally. In fact the best time to lobby is exactly that time to ensure the bid is written to one company's specifications (even though it is illegal). And surprise, the company is the company this person used to work for, and also surprise, surprise advocating its use to other companies. After he quits, then promptly goes back to the same company. This is not unusual and pretty sure Oracle would be doing the same thing, it just they missed the boat, so now are happy to "expose the corruption".
- 1024core 8y ago
  > After he quits, then promptly goes back to the same company. In isolation, sure, this seems weird. But remember that around that time (Obama admin), a lot of techies were being invited to join the government in the "Digital Service". Many of them took leaves of absence (I know a couple) to work 6 months or a year in the government, fixing their systems, and when done, rejoined their previous companies. So, in context, it's not that unusual. See, for example: https://www.cio.com/article/3288924/us-digital-service-recruits-silicon-valley-innovators-like-matt-cutts-to-modernize-government-tech.html https://www.cio.com/article/3288924/us-digital-service-recru...
  - rdtsc 8y ago
    Hmm. Ok, I see your point. You're right about the Digital Service. And his blog does say that much as well.

rdtsc 8y ago

> I think we read different articles. Not sure. I clicked this link https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/20/technology/military-contract-deap-ubhi.html https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/20/technology/military-contr... which one did you click? > Some random noob, one of 72, works for 7 weeks, and magically has such a major impact that it's still felt 9 months later? 9 months is not a lot of time in government land. Before the request for proposal is sent out, often, a pick is already made informally. In fact the best time to lobby is exactly that time to ensure the bid is written to one company's specifications (even though it is illegal). And surprise, the company is the company this person used to work for, and also surprise, surprise advocating its use to other companies. After he quits, then promptly goes back to the same company. This is not unusual and pretty sure Oracle would be doing the same thing, it just they missed the boat, so now are happy to "expose the corruption".

1024core 8y ago
> After he quits, then promptly goes back to the same company. In isolation, sure, this seems weird. But remember that around that time (Obama admin), a lot of techies were being invited to join the government in the "Digital Service". Many of them took leaves of absence (I know a couple) to work 6 months or a year in the government, fixing their systems, and when done, rejoined their previous companies. So, in context, it's not that unusual. See, for example: https://www.cio.com/article/3288924/us-digital-service-recruits-silicon-valley-innovators-like-matt-cutts-to-modernize-government-tech.html https://www.cio.com/article/3288924/us-digital-service-recru...
- rdtsc 8y ago
  Hmm. Ok, I see your point. You're right about the Digital Service. And his blog does say that much as well.