It's The Washington Way

The US military is preparing a "world viewer" to get instant detailed information for any place where troops might be dispatched.

From USA Today:

Future military operations may use a constantly updated digital "image skin" for a comprehensive map of the world under development by the Pentagon's National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA).

This week, the NGA sought information from potential contractors to help develop the "orthorectified image skin" that would provide the base layer for the world map. Such a map would give the military a clearer picture of any potential trouble spot where troops would have to operate.

The U.S. Geological Survey defines orthoimagery as "high resolution aerial images that combine the visual attributes of an aerial photograph with the spatial accuracy and reliability" of a traditional map.

"A key element necessary to support global readiness is the availability of a current and accurate worldwide image base to ensure a common operational picture for all users," the NGA document says.

Years ago I might have said "Bravo" and followed this story with great interest, particularly as my daughter was starting the first of her deployments. Real time tactical assessments for any place on the planet is an exciting concept. But with the recent debacle of ObamaCare software I'm wondering who, or rather which Obama buddy will get this multimillion dollar contract (they all are multimillion) and screw it up beyond all hope.

The software for ObamaCare was developed by a single source contract that went to the company of the husband of one of Michelle's college classmates. Single source means that there was no bid.

First Lady Michelle Obama’s Princeton classmate is a top executive at the company that earned the contract to build the failed Obamacare website.

Toni Townes-Whitley, Princeton class of ’85, is senior vice president at CGI Federal, which earned the no-bid contract to build the $678 million ObamaCare enrollment website at Healthcare.gov. CGI Federal is the U.S. arm of a Canadian company.

Townes-Whitley and her Princeton classmate Michelle Obama are both members of the Association of Black Princeton Alumni.

From the Daily Caller:

George Schindler, the president for U.S. and Canada of the Canadian-based CGI Group, CGI Federal’s parent company, became an Obama 2012 campaign donor after his company gained the Obamacare website contract.

As reported by the Washington Examiner in early October, the Department of Health and Human Services reviewed only CGI’s bid for the Obamacare account. CGI was one of 16 companies qualified under the Bush administration to provide certain tech services to the federal government. A senior vice president for the company testified this week before The House Committee on Energy and Commerce that four companies submitted bids, but did not name those companies or explain why only CGI’s bid was considered.

I have worked with federal contracts and dealt with federal auditors and the IG's office for the DOJ. Right now, any contract that involves over $5,000 in federal funds must be bid out. Single source federal contracts are usually awarded under a limited set of circumstances.

• Where the compatibility of equipment, components, accessories, computer software, replacement parts or service is the paramount consideration.
• Where a sole supplier’s item is needed for trial use or testing.
• Where the purchase of mass-produced movie or video films or written publications distributed or sold primarily by the publisher is needed.
• Where the purchase of property for which it is determined there is no functional equivalent is needed.

The contract that CGI Federal has to develop this software is conservatively estimated at about $100 million.

It's nice to have classmates.