[Beckwith]

The no-bid contracts Haliburton received are called "Sole Source" contracts.

I had several of these from NASA, Space Station Program.

A sole source contract is awarded when the government acquires products or services available only from a sole source. In other words, the government only has or knows of a single vendor for the product or service.

Haliburton has a division that provides the unique service of putting out oil well fires.

Another reason was that the USA needed these guys in Iraq yesterday and the often year-long contract process would result in a contract award one year after the need.

[Mfkmmof4]

Isn't Halliburton the only company that does this sort of work?

[johnb838]

I believe Halliburton got into this sole-source relationship with the government for a specified period of time, and through a bidding process. The thing is, like you said, the Pentagon doesn't have time to go through a bidding process everytime they need something. So they go through a renewal every five years or so.

And Halliburton admitted they paid more than low bid for the fuel oil. It was from a source that made it safer to deliver, I forget the details. But they were paying for a premium on safety. Something the democrat and bureaucrat pinheads will never understand.

[Otta B Sleepin]

Didn't Halliburton's original no-bid contracts come from the Clinton administration?