DCGS-A vs Palantir

[ryoder 1,590]

The name "Palantir" came up in the NSA scandal. This story is more about a military procurement boondoggle, but it also gives more info on the history and function of Palantir.

http://www.newrepublic.com/article/113484/how-pentagon-boondoggle-putting-soldiers-danger

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[champu 1]

Two things that stood out, to me, in the article...

Quote

Palantir has become one of the largest private tech companies in the world, with a client list of big-data users ranging from Citigroup to the NYPD—not to mention the FBI, CIA, Special Operations, Marines, and America’s military counterparts in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.

I'm sure all of the above have examples of failed procurements, but it would be a good idea for someone in the Army to look for success stories of how any of these entities have procured software tools, and take notes. I wouldn't suggest going to a small startup looking to buy a nuclear submarine, but you can't treat every procurement like it's a nuclear submarine, especially not when it affects currently deployed troops.

Quote

They accept everything as a requirement, and they judge every requirement to be equal. You say to them, ‘I want something with a bell that’ll go off whenever something interesting comes up.’ So they spent five million dollars on that, and no one asks, ‘Why the fuck would you want a bell?’”

This I actually had to laugh at. I'd estimate I've effected the demise of more requirements than I've written in my career by a factor of 10. As primarily a hardware guy, I think I have the least patience for this kind of thing when I stumble unwittingly into the software realm.

[BikerBabe 0]

Go find this movie and watch it: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0144550/?ref_=sr_1

All your defense acquisition questions will be answered. And I am most assuredly (and sadly) not joking. This was my job for 6 years, and it's the reason I left the Air Force.

"a military procurement boondoggle" describes 99% of anything the DoD buys. Requirements creep is only one drop in a vast ocean of problems with the system. The FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) is 2000 pages long because corporations whine so long and so hard about every possible hint of anything that might be considered unfair...

here, you can read it if you want: http://www.acquisition.gov/far/

I can't post about this anymore, it makes me hyperventilate and feel slightly suicidal.

Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

[ryoder 1,590]

BikerBabe

Go find this movie and watch it: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0144550/?ref_=sr_1

All your defense acquisition questions will be answered. And I am most assuredly (and sadly) not joking. This was my job for 6 years, and it's the reason I left the Air Force.

"a military procurement boondoggle" describes 99% of anything the DoD buys. Requirements creep is only one drop in a vast ocean of problems with the system. The FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) is 2000 pages long because corporations whine so long and so hard about every possible hint of anything that might be considered unfair...

here, you can read it if you want: http://www.acquisition.gov/far/

I can't post about this anymore, it makes me hyperventilate and feel slightly suicidal.

I saw "Pentagon Wars" years ago. EXCELLENT!
I also worked for General Dynamics Fort Worth division in the late '80's, (as an engineering co-op student).
The experience was enlightening.
One of the things I learned was that I had no desire to work for a Defense Contractor.

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.