08-27-2011, 02:58 PM
My hipshot response is that government procurements are driven as much by political and constituency support needs as they are by the technical.
I think your social scientist can get better insight into the question by studying the larger world of government procurement.
To be sure, the requirements documents appear to codify a search for the best technical solution. In truth, however, their (unstated) role is to assure a technically adequate solution so that the larger games can be played without unduly sacrificing future capability.
Sometimes the trade errs too far on the side of the political, but so far it has worked well enough.
Hence, when advocating a new cartridge, we need to cultivate enthusiasm in that larger world. It isn't easy, but it is necessary.
I think your social scientist can get better insight into the question by studying the larger world of government procurement.
To be sure, the requirements documents appear to codify a search for the best technical solution. In truth, however, their (unstated) role is to assure a technically adequate solution so that the larger games can be played without unduly sacrificing future capability.
Sometimes the trade errs too far on the side of the political, but so far it has worked well enough.
Hence, when advocating a new cartridge, we need to cultivate enthusiasm in that larger world. It isn't easy, but it is necessary.