$6,600 Kindle!

[Soldim]

Originally Posted by wizwor

Well, the article included a link to the procurement record and a link to the J&A. Seems like pretty sound reporting to me.

Seems rather like a classic example of how to spin a story based on (small) part of the facts to me.

[Connallmac]

Originally Posted by wizwor

Well, the article included a link to the procurement record and a link to the J&A. Seems like pretty sound reporting to me. The followup is an unsubstantiated response from the state department.

Did you miss this part of the material YOU quoted?
"The US Department of State intends to award an indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity commercial items contract on or about June 19, 2012, on a sole source basis to Amazon Digital Services, Inc. of Seattle WA for the commercial supplies and services described below. The anticipated value is $16,500,000 over the life of the contract, which shall be one base year plus 4 option years. See attached Sole Source Justification documented and approved in accordance with FAR 6.302-1. "

And this part?
"Quote:
3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the Department’s needs: The DoS has an ongoing, repetitive requirement for e-Readers and content meeting certain key specifications, including an immediate need for approximately 2,500 e-Readers and 50 titles of content. The DoS has identified the Amazon Kindle as the only e-Reader on the market that meets the Government’s needs, and Amazon as the only company possessing the essential capabilities required by the Government, as identified below."

So basically they anticipate over the life of a five year contract it will be worth $16.5 million, and that they have an immediate need for 2,500 ereaders PLUS 50 titles worth of content. This implies that there will be more Kindles needed in the future and the 2,500 discussed is just the first shipment.

Also, this shoddy reporting doesn't even take into account the value of the content being delivered to these Kindles. Why be bothered with pesky little things like facts?

[pdurrant]

I think this thread has now reached a natural end, and any further comments are liable to descend into party political material that belongs in the P&R forum.

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Thread Closed.