How can someone screw up ordering this many keyboard trays?

Any company could get this done in approximately 20-30 minutes. This really is sad.

Looking at the "a mere 250" link, I *think* I see what's happening. A government agency can't specify a specific brand name without incurring a bunch of heat from other suppliers (as well as running afoul of various ORS regarding public purchasing). So it appears they "split the baby" in Solomon like fashion by specifying five different models. How many of each will actually get purchased - who knows?

Bear in mind a private company can pick whatever model they want, free from constraints that legislators enacted at the behest of lobbyists.

Well the bid is for 50 of each model. I'm guessing there are a number of different desk setups where these will be installed. Some will necessitate trays that can slide out, some that slide out and lift, some that can swivel out, etc.

Office ergonomics is a huge deal now and isn't something that should be taken lightly. But I guess its a lot more fun to assume this is all a huge government conspiracy.

The keyboard tray saga is another good example why most bids for CoP exceed by far the bids for private industry for similar products.

When you have bid requests that are convoluted, possible rejected for any reason, changed as prospectus are considered, etc. then any business bidding with government puts in the "government bidding cost factor". Simply proposing a bid costs companies an extensive amount of money.

Then the following "negotiations" that seem to follow is expensive. This process naturally begins to exclude many companies from bidding. It invites the "lets go out to lunch, good buddy system" that influences which bid is accepted because there are so many "weight formulas" that determine the succesful bidder.

I know it is the nature of the game, but couldn't it be sanitized some? Corruption is possible, besides the easily excused "conflict of interest" charges.