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From: ray@rochester.UUCP (Ray Frank)
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: Thoughts on $1288 Ash Trays
Message-ID: <10826@rochester.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 31-Jul-85 15:23:44 EDT
Article-I.D.: rocheste.10826
Posted: Wed Jul 31 15:23:44 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 2-Aug-85 06:51:13 EDT
References: <420@iham1.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: U. of Rochester, CS Dept.
Lines: 36

> 
> My first job when I graduated from college was as an Air Force officer, managing
> development projects in advanced computer technology.  The Air Force does most
> of it's R&D through contracts with the aerospace industry.  I spent a  lot of
> money for the Air Force and DARPA and want to put my two cents worth in.
> 
> DoD doesn't really care what something costs as long as it falls within the
> budget.  The reason for this is that most decisions about costs are made by
> inexperienced people who simply have no idea what something should cost:
> Quick! Is X dollars/hour a reasonable price for engineering services?  What's
> a reasonable rate for overhead expenses? How about computer charges? Don't know?

College graduate huh? Hmmm.

> Products have to work under the worst possible conditions: desert heat, arctic
> cold, vibration, EMI, EMP, shock, vacuum, dirt, radiation, dust, and a whole
> bunch more. Making sure that products work as expected in those conditions
> requires special design work, horribly rigorous testing, and screening until
> the world looks flat. This costs a lot of money and makes the resulting product
> cost more.
> 
Boy that makes me feel better, now I understand why ashtrays cost $1200.00 and
toilet seats cost $700.00.  Just think, if there's a war, I'll never have to
worry that my ashtray will be unusable or my toilet seat won't fit.  A place to
butt my stick and stick my butt.

And gee, how about that $8000.00 coffee pot that was purchased for military
planes.  It was determined that the plane could crash, kill all aboard, and
the rescuers would have hot coffee when they arrived on the scene, A WEEK LATER!
It's good to the last drop, from 50,000 feet.

But seriously folks, I realize that due to mil specs, some critical parts 
demand more diligence in manufacturing and performance.  But $500.00 hammers
and $100.00 allen wrenches must stop.  I'll tell you what Uncle Sam, if
one of your nephews breaks your hammer while building a latrine, I'll sell
you mine for ten bucks, no questions asked.