This is likely because of a requirement that ULA put out a bid to multiple candidates. This sort of thing often happens because of well-meaning rules that aim to prevent croneyism in subcontracts or procurement. It's unsurprising, and -assuming that there's no other US supplier that is willing to build the engines for ULA- is not at all controversial.
However, such rules can be a pain in the ass when you honestly know that there's only one entity in the world who can do the entirety of the thing that you need to get done. If you're really unlucky, your procurement rules will be written so that some bozo can come along, promise everything on your requirements list at a lower price than the only guy who can actually do the job, win the contract, and string you along for aeons while they attempt to build the capabilities that they promised they could supply, and that the other guy already had ready to go.
I'm just putting the situation into perspective for the folks who might hold an opinion like "That's such a terrible thing for ULA to be doing! Why are they wasting the time and money of Aerojet if they seriously expect that Aerojet won't be able to provide the thing that they need?".
Do I fell sorry for his firing--no.
Would I tape this speach, and put it online--no.
I don't have any issue with taping and releasing a speech during a class at a publicly funded university.
Anyone got anything on the motivation for the taping/putting on-line?
Lutz? Angry at the language? Supporting one of the other stakeholders? Some concept of investigative journalism?
People don't like assholes, which is why smart assholes take care not to act like assholes. When you're this obvious about it, no one can fail to notice what an asshole you are. When you piss someone off and simultaneously hand them a way to hurt you, you shouldn't be surprised when they take it.
My opinion is lower than that. Generation Text posts everything as a reflex without much thought.
Only later when things happen like the cops showing up at their doorstep do they realize that maybe that isn't such a great idea.
He's telling folks outside the company that a) ULA is courting Aerojet Rocketdyne with little intention of actually going with them, b) a prominent Senator is biased against them and and c) the Pentagon skewed a competition in their favor.
As the article says:
> This is not something Air Force procurement officers want to see quoted in the next SpaceX lawsuit. Nor is it something that McCain was happy to hear. At a hearing this morning, he called for an investigation into the contract.