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Return to Article: Contractor problems hold up border fence project

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  I have learned that SBInet is using the same program managment firm, engineering process and FFRDCs that let to Deep Water's failure (BAH, Mitre, DODA/C4ISR, LISI, CMMi).

  Is not insane to continue the same process and expect different results? Maybe its time for congress to step in and suggest some change to the status quo.

  Kim Posted September 13, 2007 6:58 PM
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  These problems are not new, nor uncommon when large technology contracts are given to large system integrators with a history of performance problems. When did any of the FSIs ever deliver on time or on budget. Federal Technology programs, which rely on antiquated architecture and assessment processes, will continue to fail at the rate of 80%, costing the tax payer over $21B/year if not addressed. These processes will not change until our DoD/DHS leadership looks outside the Defense Industrial Base for innovative approaches and best practices.

  DHS needs a better way of managing these Billion dollar programs, and allow DHS contracts to protect the status quo is not the answer.

  Anonymous Posted September 12, 2007 11:27 AM
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  These massive defense contractors have become the gateway for all public money expended for technical work. We award contracts for which they have no historical expertise, then pay cost overruns while they re-invent the wheel. When will the taxpayer ever get a fair shake?

  Bradford E. Black, CPP Posted September 11, 2007 3:25 PM
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  I'm all for anything that will prevent border agents from direct attack or harm. Maybe we do need a physical wall, like has been suggested, that will be a one time expense in many ways, and keep our agents safe. I am first in line to support cutting the ways we pander to illgals in the first place! But that will do nothing to stop the drug thugs and gang bangers, they are not coming here for jobs anyway. Arivaca: I assume you are here, benefiting from the USA's civic order and structure, too. One Mexico is enough. USA helps more "neighbors" than any other country does. Pay attention.

  K.T. Posted September 10, 2007 2:12 PM
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  Great wall of China? Get real! Maybe something like the iron curtain had. that worked out well to keep all those people inside the iron curtain. Ity amzaes how many americans are underserving of the freedoms we have and how many want to live behind a WALL! It sickens me that a once great country panders to paranoids who would trade there freedom for security. they deserve neither! Instead of passing laws that make sense like turning off the spiggot here and deny services and deny welfare and seize all assets of any business that employees an illegal they invest in "virtual fences" and pander to the fears of socialist who want real fences!take away the incentives to come and they will stop coming here illegally! Also you will then have to pay for all your house keepers and gardeners and more for your vegatbles at the market, but i for one am willing do absorb those cost. I for one don't want to live behind barb wire with men with machine guns pointing in any direction. freedom isn't free and i for one see no advatage of living behind americass new Iron Curtain. Can you say papers please? you already wont be able to get into the national forest without a federal ID if Chertoff and the safety Nazis get their way. Wake up America your loosing your freedoms and your giving them away as blue light specials!

  Greg D Posted September 10, 2007 9:49 AM
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  Yea, the guys are bug-fixing the software using the mexicans running across the boarder as "test data"...the first implementation was crap, and they are trying to make what was already delivered -- work for the first time... this is par for the tier 1 primes...time to break up each one of these mini-mafias... just like the baby-bells... these companies need to be 25% of their size max and we need more competition at the top tier level

  Frank Posted September 10, 2007 9:37 AM
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  For months we've heard about integration problems without specificity. Can someone write about the specifics of the integration problems. Thanks.

  M. Knudsen Posted September 10, 2007 8:31 AM
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  We need to build a real fence. This virtual technology being delayed time and time again is not solving the problem we have with our open border. This virtual nonsense is allowing virtually anyone that wants to come here Illegally to cross. Stop fooling around and get the fence built!

  Bobbie J Posted September 10, 2007 7:51 AM
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  What about a just building a wall similar to the one in China? I certainly don't expect to see numerous illegal's that will want to haul 40-50 foot ladders through the desert to ascend the wall. Why spend millions, certainly to become billions, for a virtual system that constantly has to be manned, monitored, and repaired. This virtual wall is nothing more than a rip-off to taxpayers to line the pockets of big corporations.

  Can you imagine each time there is a single breach, of the said virtual fence, what has to happen next? Deployment of patrol agents, most likely via helicopter, at the tune of tens of thousands of dollars per event, perhaps more depending on the distance they have to travel. By the time they get there to nab the illegal's they will already be in the county if there is no physical obstruction in place to stop them.

  While a virtual fence may alert to the fact a person has breached the boarder I want to know how a virtual fence will prevent the illegal perpetrator from not getting into the USA anyway. Will there be laser towers to vaporize them if they try?

  Build a wall, a beautiful, magnificent, yet ominous structure. Yes expensive but consider how many walls we could have already built with wasted taxpayer dollars. Regardless, once built there is no need to keep pumping big money into it. You don't have to plug it in, you don't have to tweak it, and you don't have to worry about it malfunctioning. Establish boarder crossing points along the wall where they currently exist today with the same manpower that exists today.

  DF Posted September 9, 2007 11:01 AM
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  Border Fence Delay per Chertoff!

  All bunk! Just another excuse to not seal off the border and defend America. Chertoff has no intentions of protecting America from illegal law breakers. Sad!

  A. Hans Posted September 9, 2007 10:09 AM
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  Should they get rid of the management team, or just scrap the whole project? This Project is an idiots solution to an imaginary problem! Borders are an outdated expression of separatism and arrogance and only served to protect the rich from the poor, as most of laws do! Snap out of your fear and learn to help your neighbor. The world could be a better place.

  A resident of Arivaca Posted September 9, 2007 1:25 AM