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Yeah, the title is nonsense. The military is sufficiently large as a buyer to demand RtR in every contract. Perhaps they just don't want to fight for those cla

Yeah, the title is nonsense. The military is sufficiently large as a buyer to demand RtR in every contract. Perhaps they just don't want to fight for those clauses.

Jtsummers 1y ago
This would make it a requirement, right now it's not (for all procurements, at least; tech data is expected in large systems acquisitions like a new jet fighter but that's very different than buying a generator). This also brings down the weight of the law, in contrast to a "My commander said so" which can change from one unit to another or even over time.
lenerdenator 1y ago
Or perhaps them not fighting for those clauses is a part of the culture of how the US government - or, more specifically, brass in the Pentagon - deals with defense contractors.
jameshart 1y ago
Military-industrial-complex: So, do you wanna buy some widgets? Lt. Milo Minderbender: well the Army can sure always use more widgets! We’ll need to lock in a contract for spare parts too, so you have to agree to supply spares at a reasonable cost. MIC: how about instead you take this extended service contract where you pay us to do any necessary repairs? MM: well that doesn’t seem like a great deal - we’d be on the hook for arbitrary costs forever and you’d have no incentive to make widgets that work. MIC: we really don’t want to agree to a fixed parts cost schedule. That would annoy our shareholders. MM: well, we are the US Army, so you can take it or leave it. Who else are you going to sell widgets to? MIC: ah, but Milo - we can call you Milo, right? - have you considered that you’re coming up on the end of your service? MM: Not for a few years… MIC: Sure, but I mean, when you get out… it’d be nice if there was a job at a military widget contractor waiting for you…
- bell-cot 1y ago
  If anyone doubts the reality of such things - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darleen_Druyun https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darleen_Druyun
  - ghurtado 1y ago
    Honestly, that sounds like a more benign version of what I picture, which has the military not even giving enough of a shit to ask the questions in the first place.

Yeah, the title is nonsense. The military is sufficiently large as a buyer to demand RtR in every contract. Perhaps they just don't want to fight for those clauses.

Jtsummers 1y ago

This would make it a requirement, right now it's not (for all procurements, at least; tech data is expected in large systems acquisitions like a new jet fighter but that's very different than buying a generator). This also brings down the weight of the law, in contrast to a "My commander said so" which can change from one unit to another or even over time.

lenerdenator 1y ago

Or perhaps them not fighting for those clauses is a part of the culture of how the US government - or, more specifically, brass in the Pentagon - deals with defense contractors.

jameshart 1y ago

Military-industrial-complex: So, do you wanna buy some widgets? Lt. Milo Minderbender: well the Army can sure always use more widgets! We’ll need to lock in a contract for spare parts too, so you have to agree to supply spares at a reasonable cost. MIC: how about instead you take this extended service contract where you pay us to do any necessary repairs? MM: well that doesn’t seem like a great deal - we’d be on the hook for arbitrary costs forever and you’d have no incentive to make widgets that work. MIC: we really don’t want to agree to a fixed parts cost schedule. That would annoy our shareholders. MM: well, we are the US Army, so you can take it or leave it. Who else are you going to sell widgets to? MIC: ah, but Milo - we can call you Milo, right? - have you considered that you’re coming up on the end of your service? MM: Not for a few years… MIC: Sure, but I mean, when you get out… it’d be nice if there was a job at a military widget contractor waiting for you…

bell-cot 1y ago
If anyone doubts the reality of such things - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darleen_Druyun https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darleen_Druyun
- ghurtado 1y ago
  Honestly, that sounds like a more benign version of what I picture, which has the military not even giving enough of a shit to ask the questions in the first place.