SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy is getting a lot of hype, but some say that Elon Musk’s rocket isn’t deserving of the contracts it is expected to receive. The Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) process is all about value, but Musk is already focusing his energy on what is supposedly a superior alternative (the BFR) — and the Falcon 9’s rocky journey isn’t helping skeptics. Thanks Montu.



SpaceX may low-ball a bid for Falcon Heavy launches — per its website, potentially even at a one-third discount — but appropriators should have every right to look at the “fine print” as well. The government should want to avoid another horrid situation like the Battle of Wanat in Afghanistan, where nine American soldiers died and dozens of others were wounded due to jammed-up, inefficient weapons. Low prices mean nothing without reliability.

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Source: [H]ardOCP – SpaceX Falcon Heavy Shows Why We Need Appropriations Reform