Why the heck is government work going to Google? They’re the worst, in spite of FB getting all the publicity. I’m with the Google employees on this one. The government shouldn’t put this work out to bid. Let the gov hire employees, instead of tossing profits to deep-pocket donors to DC swampthings.
Because Google, Facebook etc. are way way ahead of the USG and everyone else in Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence applications. USG (that includes the military!) can’t hire these people. They just won’t come! To them government pay is unattractive and USG IT policies are incredibly inefficient & archaic. USG- the OPM 1940s & 1950s style HR & personnel systems are ineffective at hiring, paying and keeping these people.
How do I know this, I go to a lot and I mean a lot of academic & government sponsored AI & ML conferences. So I hear it all the time.
Also most technical frontline government work is contracted out, the governments presence is a managerial one (through a COTR) which usually means they just cut the check. Quite often the COTR is not even on site. (This is why building the wall will be contracted out!)
Is there a better way to do it? Yeah probably but I don’t know what it is or see it happening. Too many rice bowls would get broken!