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Defense Department spends $4.6 million on Lobster Tail and Crab

Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2019 4:49 pm
by dbackjon
https://twt-media.washtimes.com/media/m ... inal_1.pdf


Part of a 97 Billion Spending Orgy at the end of the FY.


Thanks a lot, Hen

Re: Defense Department spends $4.6 million on Lobster Tail and Crab

Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2019 6:10 pm
by CID1990
In terms of waste at DoD, this is pretty vanilla

Wasting taxpayer money is guaranteed in this country - government agencies are actually set up in a way that encourages it... the use it or lose it budgetary process is hopelessly broken, as is the Federal procurement process.

Agencies like DoD have a LOT of political juice and are therefore going to get as much or more than they ask for from Congress... and then in August and September let’s just say the airline and hotel bills spike

DoD is the worst offender but that’s simply an economy of scale issue. Every single agency in our government is a poor steward of our tax dollars - in terms of waste as a percentage of total budget, there are a few that are worse

https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamandrze ... f96dd57697


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Re: Defense Department spends $4.6 million on Lobster Tail and Crab

Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2019 7:27 pm
by AZGrizFan
CID1990 wrote:In terms of waste at DoD, this is pretty vanilla

Wasting taxpayer money is guaranteed in this country - government agencies are actually set up in a way that encourages it... the use it or lose it budgetary process is hopelessly broken, as is the Federal procurement process.

Agencies like DoD have a LOT of political juice and are therefore going to get as much or more than they ask for from Congress... and then in August and September let’s just say the airline and hotel bills spike

DoD is the worst offender but that’s simply an economy of scale issue. Every single agency in our government is a poor steward of our tax dollars - in terms of waste as a percentage of total budget, there are a few that are worse

https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamandrze ... f96dd57697


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I remember being given the SNAP II catalog on 9/28 and told to spend $2.6 million in the next 48 hours. Literally made me sick to my stomach to do it.

Re: Defense Department spends $4.6 million on Lobster Tail and Crab

Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2019 8:25 pm
by Ivytalk
CID1990 wrote:. the use it or lose it budgetary process is hopelessly broken, as is the Federal procurement process.
It’s all 93henfan’s fault. He’s out there procuring like a pimp on crack right now.

Re: Defense Department spends $4.6 million on Lobster Tail and Crab

Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2019 8:29 pm
by 93henfan
CID1990 wrote:... the use it or lose it budgetary process is hopelessly broken, as is the Federal procurement process.
Point 1 - agreed
Point 2 - disagree

The budget process is a complete joke. Like Z said, DoD in particular is a disaster. AND THE AIR FORCE TAKES THE CAKE! :lol: Never seen anything like it. The general and field grades would put together their wish lists in early summer (new furniture for their office, fancy rugs, A/V equipment, whatever their wife wanted for their residence) and then just drool when the shakeout money dropped on Sep 30th. We'd be ordering from sunrise to midnight, and even placing orders past midnight on west coast accounts.

The federal procurement process, as heavily revised in the early 80s and codified in Title 48, is pretty freaking tight. Any program/technical office shenanigans not sniffed out by a diligent Contracting Officer will be sniffed out and protested by industry to the agency, GAO, or USCFC if they aren't resolved properly they get litigated by. Civilian Contracting Officer training and certifications are excellent, and we do police our own ranks.

Yes there have been some notable exceptions, namely during the sandbox war period of ~2002-2005 when we were putting truckloads of cash money in the hands of some very inexperienced contingency contracting personnel, most wearing uniforms. And a certain Vice President was, behind closed doors, pushing J&A's for other than full and open competition under FAR 6.302 (what the media incorrectly referred to as "no-bid") contracts out like a child molester hands out candy from a van. That was all a recipe for disaster. Many heads indeed rolled in the middle part of last decade as a result. Many savvy and experienced Contracting Officers and HCA's either recused themselves from the bullshit or outright refused to sign. One Army Contracting Officer in Iraq saved her ass on a KBR contract that went south by writing on the SF-33 that she was signing the contract under undo pressure and had no recourse to refuse.

Re: Defense Department spends $4.6 million on Lobster Tail and Crab

Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2019 8:35 pm
by 93henfan
Ivytalk wrote:
CID1990 wrote:. the use it or lose it budgetary process is hopelessly broken, as is the Federal procurement process.
It’s all 93henfan’s fault. He’s out there procuring like a pimp on crack right now.
I don't procure anymore. I just give the green light to others on the really big procurements. In fact, I chaired the review board for a $900M one this morning. The Contracting Officer did a fantastic job on the source selection and I gave her clearance to proceed with the award. I can't get into the details here, but I can tell you this place I work now spends our tax money on some interesting stuff. It would give Alphie and BDK the vapors. :lol:

Re: Defense Department spends $4.6 million on Lobster Tail and Crab

Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2019 8:49 pm
by SeattleGriz
93henfan wrote:
Ivytalk wrote:
It’s all 93henfan’s fault. He’s out there procuring like a pimp on crack right now.
I don't procure anymore. I just give the green light to others on the really big procurements. In fact, I chaired the review board for a $900M one this morning. The Contracting Officer did a fantastic job on the source selection and I gave her clearance to proceed with the award. I can't get into the details here, but I can tell you this place I work now spends our tax money on some interesting stuff. It would give Alphie and BDK the vapors. :lol:
So. On a scale of 1-100, how important are you to the US? Kim Jong is a 43, as a reference.

By the way, the she shed is calling you. You ain't man enough for her.

Re: Defense Department spends $4.6 million on Lobster Tail and Crab

Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2019 8:59 pm
by 93henfan
SeattleGriz wrote:
93henfan wrote:
I don't procure anymore. I just give the green light to others on the really big procurements. In fact, I chaired the review board for a $900M one this morning. The Contracting Officer did a fantastic job on the source selection and I gave her clearance to proceed with the award. I can't get into the details here, but I can tell you this place I work now spends our tax money on some interesting stuff. It would give Alphie and BDK the vapors. :lol:
So. On a scale of 1-100, how important are you to the US? Kim Jong is a 43, as a reference.

By the way, the she shed is calling you. You ain't man enough for her.
I'm non-essential. So, -1 at best.

What are you drinking tonight?

Re: Defense Department spends $4.6 million on Lobster Tail and Crab

Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2019 9:12 pm
by Col Hogan
Back during the Clinton Administration, Vice President Al Gore led the National Partnership for Reinventing Government...a study to try and improve the federal governments efficiency (I know, say that with a straight face...)

One of their major recommendations was to eliminate the current budgeting system and make it more responsive...

Currently, if an organization gets a budget of $1,000,000 for a year, it better spend it or next year its budget will be cut...That’s why their is what is known as “fall-out” at the end of the fiscal year...money that for any number of reasons isn’t being spent on its intended function falls out for other potential uses...93 very succinctly described one scenario in one of his post...I’ve seen others that totally are legit and helped the war-fighters...

What Gore proposed was to reward those who didn’t spend all their money for one year by first, not penalizing them in the following year, and second, allowing them to carry forward some of the saving if they had a legitimate UFR (unfunded requirement)...something that didn’t make the budget cut but still is a good item...

Well, Congress would have none of that...because it would remove some of their control over how the money is spent...

And thus, we have what we have.

If you are ever in the DC area is August or September, listen to the all-news radio station...companies run ads aimed at people who control the federal purse strings...pushing ways to spend those end of year bucks... :ohno:

Re: Defense Department spends $4.6 million on Lobster Tail and Crab

Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 5:08 am
by kalm
I really dont have much of a problem with this but just think...that $4.6 million would have paid the tuition of 10 gender studies students or purchased about month's worth of insulin for 1,000 diabetics.

Re: RE: Re: Defense Department spends $4.6 million on Lobster Tail and Crab

Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 5:43 am
by SeattleGriz
93henfan wrote:
SeattleGriz wrote:
So. On a scale of 1-100, how important are you to the US? Kim Jong is a 43, as a reference.

By the way, the she shed is calling you. You ain't man enough for her.
I'm non-essential. So, -1 at best.

What are you drinking tonight?
Don't sell yourself short, you're a tremendous slouch.

Gin and tonic!

Re: Defense Department spends $4.6 million on Lobster Tail and Crab

Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 5:52 am
by Ivytalk
kalm wrote:I really dont have much of a problem with this but just think...that $4.6 million would have paid the tuition of 10 gender studies students or purchased about month's worth of insulin for 1,000 diabetics.
Or six weeks worth of fuel for one F-35

Re: Defense Department spends $4.6 million on Lobster Tail and Crab

Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 5:56 am
by 93henfan
Ivytalk wrote:
kalm wrote:I really dont have much of a problem with this but just think...that $4.6 million would have paid the tuition of 10 gender studies students or purchased about month's worth of insulin for 1,000 diabetics.
Or six weeks worth of fuel for one F-35
*2 weeks for the Marines' VSTOL version

Because hovering is awesome at airshows.

Re: Defense Department spends $4.6 million on Lobster Tail and Crab

Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 7:03 am
by andy7171
If they're spending $4.6, they best be getting the claws as well!

Re: Defense Department spends $4.6 million on Lobster Tail and Crab

Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 7:18 am
by Ibanez
dbackjon wrote:https://twt-media.washtimes.com/media/m ... inal_1.pdf


Part of a 97 Billion Spending Orgy at the end of the FY.


Thanks a lot, Hen
The "Use it or Lose it" mentality has to stop.

We've all seen ridiculous waste. I worked on an USMC project that put combat centers into the field. We had yachts and Ford 550s (purchased at Murtha Motors).

You know those Marines in the middle of Iraq need a yacht....and Ford-550s.

Like AZ - we had several million dollars to spend and we went on a spending spree - buying crap that wasn't necessary OR end of life. :ohno: Then...a lot of that shit that can't be used b/c it's EOL or out of compliance gets sold for pennies at a DRMO auction.

Re: Defense Department spends $4.6 million on Lobster Tail and Crab

Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 9:11 am
by dbackjon
andy7171 wrote:If they're spending $4.6, they best be getting the claws as well!

Or that paid for a small party of Crab and Natty Bo's at Obrycki's

Re: RE: Re: Defense Department spends $4.6 million on Lobster Tail and Crab

Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 9:14 am
by ALPHAGRIZ1
93henfan wrote:
Ivytalk wrote:
It’s all 93henfan’s fault. He’s out there procuring like a pimp on crack right now.
I don't procure anymore. I just give the green light to others on the really big procurements. In fact, I chaired the review board for a $900M one this morning. The Contracting Officer did a fantastic job on the source selection and I gave her clearance to proceed with the award. I can't get into the details here, but I can tell you this place I work now spends our tax money on some interesting stuff. It would give Alphie and BDK the vapors. Image
Why would i care i do quite a few Federal jobs amd i make sure to triple or more my bids.

I love that they piss money away

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Re: RE: Re: Defense Department spends $4.6 million on Lobster Tail and Crab

Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 9:32 am
by 93henfan
ALPHAGRIZ1 wrote:
93henfan wrote:
I don't procure anymore. I just give the green light to others on the really big procurements. In fact, I chaired the review board for a $900M one this morning. The Contracting Officer did a fantastic job on the source selection and I gave her clearance to proceed with the award. I can't get into the details here, but I can tell you this place I work now spends our tax money on some interesting stuff. It would give Alphie and BDK the vapors. Image
Why would i care i do quite a few Federal jobs amd i make sure to triple or more my bids.

I love that they piss money away

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
That's the spirit!

Re: Defense Department spends $4.6 million on Lobster Tail and Crab

Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 10:52 am
by SunCoastBlueHen
Was it the good, blue crab or that durgunous stuff?

Re: Defense Department spends $4.6 million on Lobster Tail and Crab

Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 12:11 pm
by andy7171
dbackjon wrote:
andy7171 wrote:If they're spending $4.6, they best be getting the claws as well!

Or that paid for a small party of Crab and Natty Bo's at Obrycki's
Well, lets not get carried too far away. $4.6M only goes so far. But you should be able to get at least a sixer of boh to wash them down.

Re: Defense Department spends $4.6 million on Lobster Tail and Crab

Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 12:16 pm
by CAA Flagship
SunCoastBlueHen wrote:Was it the good, blue crab or that durgunous stuff?
Callinectes sapidus

Re: Defense Department spends $4.6 million on Lobster Tail and Crab

Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 12:16 pm
by 93henfan
andy7171 wrote:
dbackjon wrote:

Or that paid for a small party of Crab and Natty Bo's at Obrycki's
Well, lets not get carried too far away. $4.6M only goes so far. But you should be able to get at least a sixer of boh to wash them down.
I think I read that Obrycki's closed and moved to BWI? Makes sense. $50 six packs of Boh will probably not raise blood pressure at an airport bar. :lol:

Re: Defense Department spends $4.6 million on Lobster Tail and Crab

Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 1:17 pm
by andy7171
SunCoastBlueHen wrote:Was it the good, blue crab or that durgunous stuff?
Blue, only from The Bay(C and D)

Re: Defense Department spends $4.6 million on Lobster Tail and Crab

Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 1:18 pm
by andy7171
93henfan wrote:
andy7171 wrote: Well, lets not get carried too far away. $4.6M only goes so far. But you should be able to get at least a sixer of boh to wash them down.
I think I read that Obrycki's closed and moved to BWI? Makes sense. $50 six packs of Boh will probably not raise blood pressure at an airport bar. :lol:
JFC That's what it would have added up to too. :ohno:

I ain't no quitter, it just got too expensive.

Re: Defense Department spends $4.6 million on Lobster Tail and Crab

Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 1:36 pm
by Chizzang
andy7171 wrote:
93henfan wrote:
I think I read that Obrycki's closed and moved to BWI? Makes sense. $50 six packs of Boh will probably not raise blood pressure at an airport bar. :lol:
JFC That's what it would have added up to too. :ohno:

I ain't no quitter, it just got too expensive.
When it comes to alcoholism
You don't quit, you surrender...

:nod: