To: Alphapenguin who wrote (8098 ) 7/9/2001 10:22:12 PM From: DWB Read Replies (1) | Respond to biz.yahoo.com Message 14483338 Don't count on GBLX being in the hunt for the Navy contract. As a Bermuda-based company, they're as likely to get the contract as foreign flag shipping is to carry Navy freight. That is, zero. Martin, U.S. Public Law and standing military regulations prohibit the military from contracting for goods or services with non-U.S. firms if there are U.S. firms that are willing and have the capability to meet the minimum terms set forth in a RFP (request for proposal). It does not matter how much better a foreign firm can provide the service, only that the minimum specifications are met. Thus, if a U.S. firm submits a proposal (bid) and is determined by the Requestor's Contracting Officer to meet the specifications, the contract will always go to the U.S. firm. You can refer to this as an "old boys' network" if you like, but the provisions are in place to protect U.S. business interests, and to a lesser degree, in certain cases, U.S. security interests. Exceptions would be granted in such cases as, for instance, Status of Forces Agreements that would permit foreign (generally, local national) firms to provide goods and services on a limited geographic basis. This is why government employees (civilian or military) who are traveling outside the U.S. on official business (on the government's dime) must use U.S. carriers when available. And this is why GBLX doesn't stand a prayer, UNLESS there are no U.S. firms willing and able to step forward.
