<font color="yellow">"Besides we all knw that even the losers in such big conrtacts will get a good sized piece of the action!"</font><br /><br />Indeed. And I agree with your other point. <br /><br />I was essentially responding to S_G's post where he states, "[w]hich is a good reason for them (LockMart) NOT to win. The logic being keep Nothrop/Gruman and Boeing 'well fed' as well." I suspect S_G was being a bit sarcastic here (help me understand, S_G), but I would hope that large, important contracts such as this are not awarded based on corporate welfare needs as opposed to ability and the relative merits of the proposals.<br /><br />I'm not so naive as to believe this doesn't happen, it's just that some things the government purchases are more important than other things. Doling out launch services to various competent providers is one thing. Choosing the prime contractor for a vehicle that will be the centerpiece of US manned spaceflight into the foreseeable future is quite another. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="3" color="#ff9900"><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>------------------------------------------------------------------- </em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>"I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."</em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong>Thomas Jefferson</strong></font></p></font> </div>