Too Dependent on Contractors? Minimum Standards for Responsible Governance

While acknowledging that there are many benefits, challenges, and risks involved in outsourcing, this article asserts that failed implementation, rather than outsourcing policy, explains the government\u27s current (mis)management of its contractors. This article explores the minimum standards for responsible governance following more than 15 years of ill-conceived and inadequate investment in the federal government\u27s acquisition workforce, followed by a governmentwide failure to respond to a dramatic increase in procurement activity. These trends have led to a buying and contract management regime animated by triage, with insufficient resources available for contract administration, management, and oversight. The old adage an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure rings true. Accordingly, a prospective investment in upgrading the number, skills, incentives, and morale of government purchasing officials would reap huge long-term dividends for the taxpayers

Too Dependent on Contractors? Minimum Standards for Responsible Governance

While acknowledging that there are many benefits, challenges, and risks involved in outsourcing, this article asserts that failed implementation, rather than outsourcing policy, explains the government\u27s current (mis)management of its contractors. This article explores the minimum standards for responsible governance following more than 15 years of ill-conceived and inadequate investment in the federal government\u27s acquisition workforce, followed by a governmentwide failure to respond to a dramatic increase in procurement activity. These trends have led to a buying and contract management regime animated by triage, with insufficient resources available for contract administration, management, and oversight. The old adage an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure rings true. Accordingly, a prospective investment in upgrading the number, skills, incentives, and morale of government purchasing officials would reap huge long-term dividends for the taxpayers

Mineral Deposits of the Central Connecticut Pegmatite District

Guidebook for field trips in Connecticut: New England Intercollegiate Geological Conference 60th annual meeting, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, October 25-27, 1968: Trip F-

Analisis Hidrolika Bangunan Krib Permeabel pada Saluran Tanah (Uji Model Laboratorium)

One of the structures to protect river bank erosion is groyne. Groyne can serve and control water flow, reducing flow velocity and scour of river bank. The purposes of this study is to analyze the changes in the river bed elevation (morphology) and the depth of scour in the upstream groyne caused by the permeable groyne installed at the river meanders. The experiment was conducted at Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics Laboratory, Sriwijaya University. The study tested the hydraulics models, a trapezoidal channel, meanders angle of 90˚, five permeable groynes at meanders, and the water flowing in the channels was clear water. The observations were carried out with a flow rate was 63,32 Lt / min, three variations of permeable groynes angle were 45˚, 90˚ and 135˚ to the upstream within 1 hour, 2,5 hours and 4 hours for each angle variations . The results of this study showed that the flow velocity of meanders was decreasing to the end of the meanders, and the changes of channel only occurred at the riverbed. Maximum riverbed changes (Bt / Bo) for permeable groyne angle of 45˚, 90˚ and 135 ˚ were 1,376 cm, 1,346 cm dan 1,452 cm. The maximum depth of scour (ds/y) for permeable groyne angle of 45˚, 90˚ and 135˚ were 1,05 cm, 0,95 cm dan 1,17 cm. Thus, permeable groyne with angle of 90 proved to be the best with the smallest riverbed changes (Bt /Bo) was 1,346 cm and the coefficient of determination (R2) was 0,9384, and also the smallest scour depth (ds/y) was 0,95 cm and the coefficient of determination (R2) was 0,8317 compared to other groyne permeable angles

Oceanographic observations in the Panama Bight, "Askoy" Expedition, 1941. Bulletin of the AMNH ; v. 118, article 3

p. 117-151 : ill., maps ; 27 cm.Includes bibliographical references (p. 150-151)."The Panama Bight may be defined as that part of the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean that lies between the Isthmus of Panama (about latitude 9° N.) and Punta Santa Elena (about latitude 2° S.) and extends westward from the coasts of Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador to about longitude 81° W. Oceanographic observations discussed in this region were made by the 'Askoy' expedition during the period February 9 to May 26, 1941. Bathymetrically the region is part of the Panama Basin which is enclosed by Central and South America, Cocos Ridge, the Galapagos Islands, and Carnegie Ridge. Most of the Panama Bight is deeper than 3000 meters, the shelf being nowhere wider than 30 miles except in the Gulf of Panama which is less than 200 meters deep. Seasonal contrasts in weather within the Bight are related to movement of the Intertropical Convergence. In January-March the Intertropical Convergence is farthest south, offshore northerlies cause upwelling in the Gulf of Panama, and the Gulf experiences its dry season. In July-September the Intertropical Convergence is farthest north, and the region south of Cabo de San Francisco receives its least rain. The central part of the Bight receives heavy rainfall throughout the year. From June to November most of the Panama Bight is dominated by southwest winds. These seasonal changes are reflected in the average surface distribution of temperature and salinity. In February surface temperatures of 26° to 28° C. and salinities of 34 to 35 parts per mille are found in most parts of the Bight, with lower temperatures in the Gulf of Panama. By August low surface temperatures have disappeared in the Gulf, and the whole region is covered with surface waters of low salinity (less than 33°‰). It is estimated that during the rainiest period the salinity of a 10-meter layer of water 300 miles long and 60 miles wide could be reduced by rainfall and runoff from 33 parts per mille to 28 parts per mille in a period of two to three months. During the 'Askoy' expedition, surface temperatures of 26° to 28° C. and surface salinities of somewhat less than 34 parts per mille were observed in most of the region. These high surface temperatures and relatively low surface salinities were characteristic of only a rather thin surface layer (reaching 25 meters or less) which was underlain by a shallow pycnocline. At 100 meters temperatures range from 15.8° to 19.5° C., salinities from 34.87 parts per mille to 35.05 parts per mille. In the Gulf of Panama high surface temperatures, low surface salinities, and the presence of a strong shallow pycnocline suggest that upwelling in early 1941 was less intense than usual. This was confirmed by comparison with 'Hannibal' observations in March, 1933, and by examination of long-term measurements of sea level and surface temperature at Balboa by the Panama Canal Company. Correlation of a northerly wind-stress index for February-March with the average sea level for the same months over a 42-year period gave the significant correlation coefficient of -0.54. However, although the 1941 northerly wind-stress index was somewhat lower than average, it was not low enough to account for the unusually high sea level observed in 1941. Thus it seems likely that some other large-scale process affecting sea temperatures over a large area was operating. During the first half of 1941 El Niño was observed off the coast of northern Peru. Schott's explanation of this phenomenon, based on its characteristics in 1891 and 1925, calls for a cold tongue extending from the Gulf of Panama nearly to the equator. Although this cold tongue was not detected by the 'Askoy,' unusually high temperature, low salinity, and a strong southward surface current measured west of Malpelo Island may be related to the influx of northern waters on the coast of Peru. Observation of a pronounced subsurface temperature discontinuity 200 miles west of Buenaventura, accompanied by other indications at the surface, suggests that a well-developed oceanic front was present on March 24, 1941. Examination of average surface current charts shows a northward coastal surface flow north of Cabo de San Francisco throughout the year, with a mean speed of about 25 cm. per second (0.5 knot) and a width of less than 100 miles. 'Askoy' measurements in the northern part of the Bight show a subsurface distribution of mass consistent with such a current which appears to be the eastern limb of the general counterclockwise circulation in the Panama Bight. It is proposed that it be called the 'Colombia Current'"--P. 149-150

In Memoriam: Honorable Ruth Thelma Cooper Breslauer Burg (1926-2023)

This collection of short pieces celebrate the extraordinary life of Judge Ruth Thelma Cooper Breslauer Burg (1926-2023). As Judge Page reflects: Those of us privileged to know her held Judge Burg in awe, and she remains a personal and professional inspiration. Judge Burg is celebrated for many reasons: her exceptional intellect; her professional accomplishments as a judge, lawyer, and mediator; her dedication to her Jewish faith; and her deep allegiance to her family and friends. Judge Williams explains that a few luminaries in the ABA Section of Public Contract Law ... epitomize the Section’s attributes—commitment to excellence in the law, mutual respect in debate, and abiding friendship among our members. Ruth is one of the most memorable of those luminaries. Our Section is a family, and Ruth was its matriarch. John Pachter reminds us that: Ruth received many well-deserved accolades, but she is best remembered for mentoring and making us better lawyers and Section members. My contribution recalls how proud we were to count her among GW Law\u27s monumental alumni and concludes: She was sui generis, a force of nature, and an inspiration