[Newsbot]

Title: The feds really want a procurement win
Category: Military
Posted By: DrCaleb
Date: 2014-02-05 07:09:22
Canadian

[Jabberwalker]

Maybe, the DND shouldn't do any procurement at all. They should submit specs. to another deprtment that specializes in purchasing and the bidding process (for the whole federal government) who aren't bought-off by gee-wiz flights in fighter planes, etc. but stick to the spec. instead. Purchasing is a specialized profession in the private sector. In the public realm, everyone wants to do it because it is a traditional way of spreading largesse and the ACTUAL requirements that need to be filled come in second ... or worse.

[saturn_656]

Jabberwalker Jabberwalker:

Maybe, the DND shouldn't do any procurement at all. They should submit specs. to another deprtment that specializes in purchasing and the bidding process (for the whole federal government) who aren't bought-off by gee-wiz flights in fighter planes, etc. but stick to the spec. instead. Purchasing is a specialized profession in the private sector. In the public realm, everyone wants to do it because it is a traditional way of spreading largesse and the ACTUAL requirements that need to be filled come in second ... or worse.

Do we really want pencil pushing bureaucrats in Ottawa who couldn't tell the difference between an APC and a MBT making the final call on procurement?

I see that failing. Hard.

[Jabberwalker]

saturn_656 saturn_656:

Jabberwalker Jabberwalker:

Maybe, the DND shouldn't do any procurement at all. They should submit specs. to another deprtment that specializes in purchasing and the bidding process (for the whole federal government) who aren't bought-off by gee-wiz flights in fighter planes, etc. but stick to the spec. instead. Purchasing is a specialized profession in the private sector. In the public realm, everyone wants to do it because it is a traditional way of spreading largesse and the ACTUAL requirements that need to be filled come in second ... or worse.

Do we really want pencil pushing bureaucrats in Ottawa who couldn't tell the difference between an APC and a MBT making the final call on procurement?

I see that failing. Hard.

I would like to see professional (yes, civil servant) buyers at work who have no vested interest in lobbyists or partisan politics. The Canadian civil service is NOT appointed by a political party, as they are in the U.S. and are SUPPOSEDLY non-partisan. They do not lose their jobs when the government changes because of their politics. It is a different system up here and major, multi-billion dollar purchases should be undertaken by a "third and objective party" that are not directly involved in the outcome. There are way too many opportunities for lobbyists to sway the process when the DND buy their own kit.

Out-of-control military procurement in the united States over the last half century may have permanently damaged the U.S. economy. It is so wrapped in the flag that to even question that spending madness is considered to be treasonable. This is an EXTREMELY POOR business practise. If the purchaser doesn't know the difference between an APC and an MBT then teach him the difference, write the spec. and stand out of the way while he does his job getting you the best and most efficient deal. That is how it works in the private sector.

[DrCaleb]

Jabberwalker Jabberwalker:

saturn_656 saturn_656:

Jabberwalker Jabberwalker:

Maybe, the DND shouldn't do any procurement at all. They should submit specs. to another deprtment that specializes in purchasing and the bidding process (for the whole federal government) who aren't bought-off by gee-wiz flights in fighter planes, etc. but stick to the spec. instead. Purchasing is a specialized profession in the private sector. In the public realm, everyone wants to do it because it is a traditional way of spreading largesse and the ACTUAL requirements that need to be filled come in second ... or worse.

Do we really want pencil pushing bureaucrats in Ottawa who couldn't tell the difference between an APC and a MBT making the final call on procurement?

I see that failing. Hard.

I would like to see professional (yes, civil servant) buyers at work who have no vested interest in lobbyists or partisan politics. The Canadian civil service is NOT appointed by a political party, as they are in the U.S. and are SUPPOSEDLY non-partisan. They do not lose their jobs when the government changes because of their politics. It is a different system up here and major, multi-billion dollar purchases should be undertaken by a "third and objective party" that are not directly involved in the outcome. There are way too many opportunities for lobbyists to sway the process when the DND buy their own kit.

Out-of-control military procurement in the united States over the last half century may have permanently damaged the U.S. economy. It is so wrapped in the flag that to even question that spending madness is considered to be treasonable. This is an EXTREMELY POOR business practise. If the purchaser doesn't know the difference between an APC and an MBT then teach him the difference, write the spec. and stand out of the way while he does his job getting you the best and most efficient deal. That is how it works in the private sector.

[Canadian_Mind]

I was under the impression that was the system we already had in place?

[Jabberwalker]

Canadian_Mind Canadian_Mind:

I was under the impression that was the system we already had in place?

The F-35 was bought without tender, without competition, without examining any of the alternate systems, it would seem. It appears that lobbyists won the day based on gee-whizz presentations and taking the minister responsible for rides in a jet fighter. This is not the way to spend $50 billion+-