There are only so many Haliburtons, Dynacorps, etc, etc. My excuse would be that I have no choice but to go to them. Of course the kickbacks make no neverminds.
Why do you think we put up with "cost overruns"? WTF!! You estimate something and bid on it with a lowball and then you bump up the costs? So what is the point of bidding then?
ACORN is a different story. Toss them and I look good. Keep them and the votes I get are suspect. Why not?