Unfortunately, NASA continues to delay providing Congress with information related to this program and the source selection. We are aware that the selection was referred to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) 3 as part of its bid protest process;4 however, this should not preclude NASA providing information to Congress as the statute that governs the protest process states "[a] protective order under this paragraph shall not be considered to authorize the withholding of any document or information from Congress or an executive agency."5 To date, the Committee has not been briefed on the source selection, nor has it received the source selection statement, despite the fact that offerors have been briefed, details were released to the press,6 the GAO is now involved; and NASA has decided to proceed with the contracts.7 Up to this point, NASA has not provided Congress with detailed information related to the CCtCap source selection in almost one year during the "blackout period." We assume the Administration will submit a budget proposal to Congress in the next few months that will include funding for the CCtCap program. Congresses' ability to evaluate this budget request may be challenged by NASA's uncooperative position. We hope that NASA will not expect taxpayers to blindly fund billion-dollar programs absent any information related to the procurement or contract. This Committee has demonstrated a commitment to ensure that American astronauts are once again launched on American rockets from American soil. NASA's refusal to provide necessary updates to Congress may unnecessarily impact these efforts."
Quote from: Kabloona on 10/22/2014 04:58 pmGeneral Shelton seemed to take it pretty personally when SpaceX filed their lawsuit, going so far as to rebuke them publicly and call them "ungrateful." We can debate whether or not that means he took it "personally," but he was clearly upset about it.http://blogs.denverpost.com/thebalancesheet/2014/05/20/air-force-general-fires-back-at-spacex-at-space-symposium/11985/Shelton got reprimanded by Senator McCain for his reactions. He no longer holds his position (he was transferred to another position).
General Shelton seemed to take it pretty personally when SpaceX filed their lawsuit, going so far as to rebuke them publicly and call them "ungrateful." We can debate whether or not that means he took it "personally," but he was clearly upset about it.http://blogs.denverpost.com/thebalancesheet/2014/05/20/air-force-general-fires-back-at-spacex-at-space-symposium/11985/
Wow. I don't normally side with Congress... but this is inexcusable. What is NASA thinking? Maybe Congress won't like the source selection process, but they are going to find out about it at some point. Congress is going to need to agree to fund the program, there is no way around that. I don't get why this is happening, it doesn't make sense.
Seems fairly reasonably, actually. The source selection documentation contains a lot of sensitive and proprietary information, and Congress isn't exactly known for discretion. Congress is also likely responsible for the creation of the procurement guidelines being applied by NASA and the GAO that require withholding the information.
Seems fairly reasonably, actually. The source selection documentation contains a lot of sensitive and proprietary information, and Congress isn't exactly known for discretion.
Quote from: Atomic Walrus on 10/23/2014 05:33 pmSeems fairly reasonably, actually. The source selection documentation contains a lot of sensitive and proprietary information, and Congress isn't exactly known for discretion.Considering Aviation Week and that Washington Post blogger have seen the document in its entirety, that argument doesn't really hold water.
Quote from: abaddon on 10/23/2014 01:49 pmWow. I don't normally side with Congress... but this is inexcusable. What is NASA thinking? Maybe Congress won't like the source selection process, but they are going to find out about it at some point. Congress is going to need to agree to fund the program, there is no way around that. I don't get why this is happening, it doesn't make sense.Seems fairly reasonably, actually. The source selection documentation contains a lot of sensitive and proprietary information, and Congress isn't exactly known for discretion. Congress is also likely responsible for the creation of the procurement guidelines being applied by NASA and the GAO that require withholding the information.
Keep in mind that there's a legal difference between the actions of individuals leaking a document and the official actions of an agency. The legal system is path dependent.
The bid protest has to be decided by (I believe) January 5.
Sierra Nevada, in a statement issued Jan. 5, accepted the decision by the GAO and said it would continue to find alternative avenues to support development of the Dream Chaser vehicle it proposed to NASA.
It's tough for me to argue with that decision!
