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Lessons and More Lessons – Brandon Belt
First I have to tell you how happy I am to be back in San Francisco. I really didn't think I'd be here until September call-ups. So Haylee and I were just about to give up our lease on our San Francisco apartment when I found out we'd need it immediately.
One thing I've learned from both Triple A and the big club: This game yanks you up and down with such frequency and force that you basically live with a perennial case of mental whiplash. One day you're on top of the world, and the next day you're sitting in front of your locker with your head in your hands.
That's where I was today, in front of my locker with my head in my hands.
But before we get to that, this has been my whiplash week so far.
On Monday, I struck out four times in five at-bats for Triple A Fresno. Why did I strike out four times? I couldn't even begin to explain it to you. I felt fine. My mechanics felt great. I just kept fouling off balls, getting behind in the count then striking out.
After the game, I just wanted to get away from the field as soon as possible. I was angry at myself and wondering, "What just happened?''
On Tuesday, I was unexpectedly called up to San Francisco, and I wanted to show that Monday's game was a fluke and that I still had confidence at the plate. And
I hit a home run and a double, helping to beat the Dodgers.
On Wednesday, with the Dodgers up 1-0, I struck out with two outs in the bottom of the ninth.
What's gnawing at me today is that I let the first two pitches go. They didn't look like strikes to me. One looked low and one looked outside. The umpire had a different idea of where the strike zone was. He called both strikes. I guess I'm still learning how to adjust to each umpire's zone. I need to learn how to cover more of the plate so, when you're fighting for your life in the bottom of the ninth, I can at least put the ball in play.
It's a frustrating thing, and something that comes with the territory, I guess, in the big leagues. And when a major-league pitcher knows an umpire is calling an outside strike or a low strike, he has the ability to keep hitting that spot. You don't see that as much in the minors. So I'll talk to our hitting coach, Bam-Bam Meulens. I have to figure this out as soon as possible or I'll be left behind.
On a happier note from today, I stretched what should probably have been an infield out into a double. My mindset is to be aggressive. Period. If I see the outfielders not running after the ball as fast as they should because they don't think I'm going to go, the chances are I'm going to go. The outfielder didn't look like he was running full speed to the ball, so I just took advantage of it.
I can't explain baseball sometimes.
35 Comments
Brandon, don't beat yourself up about your strike-outs in the Wed game. Even the seasoned vets were striking out against Kershaw. And, like you said, so much depends on the ump's strike zone. We were at the Tues game when you made your much-anticipated return to SF and the crowd was thrilled with your HR, your double & 3 RBIs! My daughter, Hayley, is one of the girls who made the "Brandon" belts and she was very proud to be wearing it at that game. We look forward to seeing great things from you!
Humble statement i can only dream of being in that process im only in highschool but im sure you take full appreciation for being back thanks for coming back strong in that game like vogelsong and crawford and you and the rest of the new players to the gaints i hope to someday step in that club house and start giving my support as a player. I wont stop till i get there because i want that feeling.
Don't beat yourself up Brandon. Those first 2 balls were definitely not strikes. The ump didn't call those 2 all game. I think many of us know that you have a good eye for pitches and you're absolutely right that they were low and outside. The ump had an expanding strike zone through the game so it was frustrating to watch, but more frustrating for the batters. Still, you had some great at-bats and I can't wait to see you in the next game! Good luck!
I was so glad to see you back and you really came through on Tuesday! Don't be too hard on yourself! You are a rock star and don't you forget it!
Welcome back! We missed you! Thanks for taking the time to tell us about your experiences. We really enjoy reading it.
We're rooting for you, Brandon!
We all thought the ump had tickets on the early flight out of town. Stick with it and know that Giants fans are behind you 100%.
A. in NYC
Brandon let me first say congrats for getting called back up. As I've said before, I'm 100% Team Belt 🙂 I found out you were recalled on my way to the game on Tuesday and I screamed so loud I scared everyone in the car. I can't tell you how happy I was to see you on the field as soon as I walked into the ballpark. And when you took your first at bat, I was hoping you'd hit a homerun over to my section and I was so proud when you did. I had tears in my eyes. Later on when Ross was intentionally walked, I told everyone around me "Good coz baby giraffe is gonna get a base hit". And again I was right. You made my day 🙂
I'm so proud of you! Please don't beat yourself up. It shows how much you care that you'd even sit at your locker with your head in your hands but this is only a learning lesson. Take time with Bam Bam and soak in every word of advice from him as well as the rest of your team mates. You're a major league baseball player. You've had quite a year and you've earned your spot. Keep up the focus at the plate, the good base running and good defense- you can do this.
Every game is like a class in college; you learn a ton if you pay attention and it's clear that you do. Unfortunately there is a huge emphasis in the press and maybe in the clubhouse on your "grade" each day, but hopefully you can focus on the learning mostly; that means your "grades" will improve long term. I think most fans are very knowledgeable and focus on growth and maturation of our young team and not a specific at bat, day or even week.
Be called up is a new territory, most of the pitchers are new to you and have different styles of pitching may not seen before. Look at all the Veterans in slumps, no one is expecting you to be great, just do what your doing and try to stay consistant and you will be fine! Just the fact you made it to the big leagues should be your inspiration, so stay confident and I will be rooting for you and the rest of the San Francisco Giants!! Daniel Ray Hemmingson- Manteca Ca.
Don't beat yourself up–even those with years of experience strike out! You were stellar Tuesday…I was watching at home and thought: "how great if he hit a home run his first time at the park?" It was great! And will happen again and again.
Great Game Brandon. Giant fans are behind you 100%. You are going to be a STAR.
1. Welcome back, Brandon. You're doing great, and SF loves you. I predict there will soon be hundreds of "baby giraffe" hats on fans' heads to complement the panda hats.
2. You're a really good writer.
Ahhhhhhhhhh so glad you're back again! Great comeback job and if they know what's good for 'em they'll keep you right where you are! Fresno doesn't need you, your SF fans need you. ❤
Welcome Back Brandon!
My family was very lucky that we were able to see you twice this month @ the Ports-SJ Giants Game and then at the Rivercats-Grizzlies game last weekend…But we are extremely excited for you that you got called back up. You are a great player and a great person. I agree with the above comment, you are a great writer and I look forward to reading more of your blogs. We will see you again at a SF Giants game in September 😉
Thanks so much Brandon. Definitely appreciate the thoughts and all. So glad to have you up here in SF!
The Blues are blind, everyone knows that! It's not you, it's them! Everyone has off days…even the umps! Keep up the great work and never stop learning. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings! I thouroughly enjoy reading them. All the beset to you and the G-men!
Welcome Back Brandon! So proud of your efforts this season. Wish there had been a full time slot open for you so you could have stayed here in SF and not suffered the whiplash you speak of. And the injury. Hope your feeling better…
Glad to see you get the HR and drive in a couple more against the HATED Dodgers! For that, young one, you have earned tons more respect and appreciation from the fans. Stay strong and keep grinding!
Go Giants!
Neither of those pitches were strikes. Sometimes umps calls ruin the game and there's nothing you can really do. Your aggressiveness was really impressive and I don't think anybody saw it coming. I'm always annoyed by plays like that when they lazily stroll towards the ball and always wish someone could do something about it. Yesterday you did do something about it, and could have ended up being the difference in the game. Maybe now they won't float over to the ball. Maybe they'll actually act like athletes and go get it. I thin k you really opened up peoples eyes with that one. Did Bochy have anything to say about that? It's obvious where you have to be living depending on where you're playing, but what has Haylee been doing through this? I'm so glad you are back up, your homerun and double were so incredibly exciting!! I love you!!
♥ Sierra Wilson
I'm not sure if you are answering questions or not, but it couldn't hurt to try!
Do you like the "Baby Giraffe" as a nickname?
Have you made friends with anyone in SF yet?
What location would be the biggest mistake to pitch to you?
Do you have a hard time with the inside pitch like everyone suspects you would?
What do you do on an off day like today?
Which veteran has taken you under his wing the most? (I have heard Aubrey Huff)
Did you grow up a Rangers fan?
Who was your favorite player growing up?
You pitched for a while…. Did you ever think that you were going to make a career as a pitcher?
How did you initially react when the Giants told you they wanted to adjust your batting stance?
Do you have a lot of support from your hometown?
I figure the more questions I ask the more likely you'll answer one!! Please do and even more importantly; keep it up in SF, you're looking great!!
♥ Sierra Wilson
I'm really happy you're back! YAY BABY GIRAFFE!
Great job Brandon! Loved you in Richmond last year with the Squirrels, and I'm proud to see you back in the SF orange and black!
Welcome back Brandon! I was at the game Monday and when Tejada left with an injury…I yelled out "Bring up Belt!" Needless to say, I was pretty excited to read you had been called up the following day. I was even more excited with your performance that game. Looking forward to seeing you get some playing time as our offense surely needs it! Good luck the rest of the way buddy!
I just wanted to let you know that I was at your return-game on Tuesday the 19th where you beat the Dodgers with your home run and double. You also signed for me before the game at the dugout (it was genuinely appreciated). Just so you know, you fit right in with the team as both a player and as a person. The Giants have always astounded me in that they are so fan-friendly and genuinely greatful for the support they receive from their fan base. (Growing up here in NJ, I find the Giants generosity to be the sheer opposite of the players' attitudes on the Phillies, for instance.)
Anyway, keep up the great work for the team and I'm sure we'll be getting to see you on a daily basis for many years to come. And never change as a person; then again, it is very rare that one sees a Giant altered by fame.
Aubrey Paris, 18, NJ
Brandon don't beat yourself up. Your a awesome player and a human. I met you 2 weeks ago in visialia playing with San Jose your a great dude and I'm so stoked that your on our side and we will get to root for you for years to come
Remember Brandon, Don't stop believin'! I know, it's cheesy, but it's true. You're doing great, and we are all here to support you!
Welcome back, Brandon!
I'd been haunting Twitter for days waiting to hear you'd been called up, and the one day I actually stayed offline for a few hours is when it happened. I couldn't wait to watch the game and was so excited when you got your two big hits.
Wednesday–baaaah. Kershaw, we've never been able to do anything with him. I wish he'd get traded to the Yankees.
Anyway, I wasn't the slightest bit surprised to hear you were coming back and in fact thought it might happen a few days earlier. By the way, Marty Lurie has been saying for weeks that you'd be back to help the Giants the second half of the season, so be sure to go on his show on KNBR!
You're here to stay this time, just like Buster last May. I can feel it.
Enjoy it all, even the whiplash!
Hook-Em Brandon!!
Welcome back Brandon! Really glad you're back. Heard your interview on Murph and Mac the other day. Must be tough on your wife to have to keep moving back and forth, but I guess that the life of a baseball player sometimes. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. Hope you stay for a long long time. Hang in there, Baby Giraffe 🙂
Trust your instincts, your hands and your bat speed. Choke up and let the monster out of the cage. Baseball can't be explained, it can only be experienced and absorbed. You're in the majors, just keep doing what got you there.
Wow, what a game. Are we lucky to have you back! Keep up the infectious smile and tenacious attitude. You are rubbing off on the rest of the team! See? Cody hit a home run! Great job today.
Well said brandon with that kind if atitude and the ability you have demonstated this season you sredestined for a longand prolific careerbiva gigantes


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Popular globally as an IT hub, the city of Bangalore is using technology to its advantage in a brand new literature festival, which is being simultaneously streamed live over the internet and broadcast over radio.
"We have used technology to our advantage and it is a first of a kind event in India where various sessions at the festival can be seen from anywhere in the world through live streaming online as well being broadcast over the radio," Vikram Sampath, organiser of the Bangalore Literature Festival (BLF) told PTI.
BLF Radio is being powered by Radiowalla.in, an Internet Radio platform, whose app can be downloaded onto mobile phones.
Beginning today the inaugural edition of BLF continues till December 9 and is being advertised as a national platform with a "glocal" appeal one which attempts to bridge the gap between literature in English and Indian regional languages.
The festival, which is hosting over 50 writers from India and abroad and all panels and discussions would be focused only on literature, says the organiser.
"Each session is a discussion on a particular genre of literature like poetry, biography, drama, fiction, non fiction, graphic novels, writing on India, writing for theatre, sports, children's literature etc," says Sampath.Alaham Anil Kumar, Srikrishna Ramamoorthy and Shinie Antony are the co-organisers of the event.
"Every city has its own theme, local issues, cultures and traditions. Bangalore has always been known to be a city of intellectuals, a lot of Jnanpith awardees are from here. We have woken up late to a literary festival but hope to make this into an annual feature," says Sampath.
Organisers say they have given equal emphasis to Urdu, Kannanda and Hindi languages and hope to expand it to more languages, especially from South India.
"The city has a lot of people from outside the state staying and working here so we have tried to keep the discussion bilingual with English," he says.
"Have you seen the Soul?" – The Craft Of Poetry" a session between Gulzar and Pavan K Varma kickstarts the festival that is being held at the Jayamahal Palace here.
The event also hosts the "Bookwallah Tour", which is making a stopover here to present a mini-writers-festival. The tour is about Indian writers Chandrahas Choudhury, Annie Zaidi and Sudeep Sen joining forces with Australian authors Benjamin Law and Kirsty Murray to form a roving writer's festival, traversing southern India by train.
Shoba De's "Sethiji" as well as "Durbar" by Tavleen Singh are among the new book launches expected at the festival.the event is also schedule to pays tribute to Kannade singer actor Rajkumar with a short screening "Dr Rajkumar - An Analysis of the Phenomenon".
'Greenland ice sheet faces irreversible melting'
US corporations are advancing their diversity targets
Life lessons? This book answers 50 toughest questions
When same-sex mating makes reproductive sense
'Moderna vaccine confers at least 3 months immunity'
Solapur ZP teacher bags $1-million Global Teacher Prize


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Oh my gosh, it's already 1027 PM and I forgot to post my Tuesday with Dorie picture.
Busy day today. Drove home from the cabin, unpacked, baked a pie, another batch of pain la ancienne and a pasta salad for my UMTR board meeting. As I was driving home from St Paul just a minute ago, I was thinking about my coaching group tomorrow morning, realized it was Tuesday evening and that I hadn't yet posted my pie. Oops.
This pie is wonderful. I've never baked a blueberry pie before so I don't have one from which to compare. I have always used my Grandmother's 'Never Fail Pie Crust' with shortening, egg, milk and flour. I have never used butter in a crust. Boy oh boy, I don't think I'll use another pie crust other than this one from now on. It was light and so flavorful.
I used fine graham crackers to place on top of the bottom of the crust so the pie wouldn't become soggy. It worked very well.
I've never used an egg wash over a crust before as I did for this, nor have I sprinkled sugar on top of the crust before baking. I will from now on!
The lemon zest and juice in the pie was wonderful.
Amy from South In Your Mouth picked this weeks recipe. You will find the recipe there.


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Medicaid Expansion Could Provide 1.3 Million Veterans with the Care America Owes Them
May 30, 2013, 2:16 PM, Posted by Brent Thompson
This past weekend, many of us enjoyed a great Memorial Day holiday filled with family, fun, and backyard barbecues.
Others, such as National Journal's Major Garrett visited somber war memorials. In his "All Powers" column, Garrett writes poignantly and passionately about our combat veterans—reflections inspired by a visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall in Washington.
In How We Could Do More For Our Vets, Garrett writes about the health struggles of his cousin, a Vietnam vet, and the level of care that our nation owes to a generation of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans.
Garrett's thought-provoking piece is worth your time.
As I read his column, I was reminded how surprised I was earlier this spring when I read an RWJF/Urban Institute report on the prospects for covering 1.3 million uninsured veterans and their families under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Wait just a second, I thought. All the brave men and women who put their lives on the line for our country have access to the health care they need through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), right?
According to Urban's Jennifer Haley and Genevieve Kenney, "priority is based on service-related disabilities, income, and other factors. Many low-income veterans eligible for VA care may not live close to VA facilities or may not know that VA care is available. Most spouses of veterans do not qualify for VA care, and many also do not qualify for Medicaid under the current requirements, which vary by state."
But there is good news. The ACA's Medicaid expansion means a "substantial increase in Medicaid eligibility for uninsured veterans," according to the authors. In other words, 1.3 million vets could be in a position to secure public health insurance beginning in 2014.
Unfortunately, less than half of these uninsured vets will actually receive coverage because they live in states that are likely to reject Medicaid expansion. Wow.
It might be too much to ask Americans to add policy articles to their summer reading stack, but I urge you to spend a few minutes with Garrett's piece and the RWJF/Urban Institute report.
And when you do, think about what America's veterans deserve from our nation.
Brent Thompson is a communications officer working with RWJF's Coverage team.


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Today in a pre-recorded statement from Nintendo's Kyoto headquarters, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata introduced Nintendo's new home console the Wii U and how the Wii U GamePad, the controller's official name, is different.
First, Iwata revealed that Wii U GamePad's name harkens back to the Nintendo Entertainment System's controller, the NES gamepad.
Regarding the changes, Iwata stated that the buttons were moved to make the controller more comfortable. The controller's handgrips were also changed to make the controller easier to hold.
The sliders are now thumbsticks that can be pushed down, and the controller has a NFC reader/writer than can read cards or figures when they are placed on it.
The Wii U can also be a TV remote controller with a new TV Remote Control button. Unlike the Wii, which can only turn the Wii on or off, the Wii U Gamepad can turn off the console and then turn itself into a TV remote controller.
Last month, an image surfaced of a tweaked Wii U GamePad that showed off the redesigned analog thumbsticks. That image did not show the labeled TV Remote, but it did show the button. Nintendo showed that feature for the first time today.


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As you may have noticed, the Science Fiction Museum is in the
midst of a major overhaul.
With the advent of a new set of scripts we are now able to open
the cyber doors for submission of content from the whole of
the science fiction community.
Many new sections and categories have been added to SF Museum.
As a SciFi Museum we feel it is important to include as many points of
view and enlist as many enthusiasts as possible to help in the
If you are willing and able, please use any of our submission forms
to contribute your piece of the puzzle.
A Tribute to Horace L. Gold, Founding Editor of Galaxy Science Fiction Magazine, Beyond Fantasy Magazine and editor of If SF Magazine. Galaxy Magazine under Horace's editorship also contributed some stories to the NBC radio show, X-Minus-One during the mid-1950's.
He was noted for fair pay for authors, initiating the 5 and 6 cents a word rates when everyone else was paying anywhere from 1/2 cent to 2 cents.
Gold championed "On Acceptance" rather than "On Publication" payments to authors and was known for introducing new writers. Galaxy ran several big-money contests to attract new writers to the field.
Gold opted for Galaxy's Award-Winning L-Shaped Covers, was daring enough to hire pioneering illustrators such as Ed Emshwiller and others, and its high-quality printing on low-acid pulp with expensive but gorgeous high-gloss Kromekote covers.


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Manoj Tiwary out for six weeks; ruled out of T20 internationals
The right-handed batsman is out of competitive cricket for at least a month and a half because of a back injury.
A serious back injury will keep Manoj Tiwary out of competitive cricket for atleast a month and half and the talented Bengal captain will not be a part of the Indian squad for the upcoming twin T20 Internationals against England.
Tiwary has suffered a muscle tear and is leaving for a comprehensive rehabilitation programme at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore under physio Nitin Patel.
"The MRI report has come and I am leaving for Bangalore tomorrow. I will follow what physio Nitin Patel tells me to do once he checks the report. As of now it looks like six weeks," Tiwary told PTI from Rajkot.
If Tiwary is out for six weeks, it could well mean that he won't be considered for selection for the Pakistan series as well as the five-match ODis against England.
The Bengal skipper was found writhing in pain while batting in the first innings of his team's Ranji Trophy match against Saurashtra in Rajkot on Sunday. He retired hurt after fighting his way to 55 after which he was unable to continue and is not going to bat in the second innings.
It's unfortunate for Tiwary who recently scored 191 against Gujarat and also scored 93 for Board President's XI against the England side in the first tour game. The 27-year-old also had a wrist injury earlier this season and he missed out Bengal's Ranji Trophy game against Madhya Pradesh in Indore. The BCCI hasn't yet named any replacement for Tiwary.
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"In English, Data."
Technobabble is a term for an explanation for a complicated situation concerning technology or technical or scientific details.
In 2369, Q goaded the senior staff of Deep Space 9, who had been unable to find the cause of a crippling power drain on the station, by saying "Picard and his lackeys would have solved all this technobabble hours ago." (DS9: "Q-Less")
In 2372, when Tom Paris and Neelix were alone together in a shuttlecraft descending to the surface of "Planet Hell", Neelix said he was unimpressed by the technobabble spouting from Tom's mouth as he completed the shuttle's log. He was under the mistaken impression that Paris was trying to impress him, whereas he was only trying to leave an accurate recording behind. (VOY: "Parturition")
Background information
Technobabble (also known as Treknobabble) is a moniker describing the pseudo-scientific terminology of Star Trek. On Star Trek: The Next Generation, some of the actors dubbed it "Piller-filler" after executive producer Michael Piller. (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, p. 252) According to Piller, the latter term originated with Brent Spiner, whose character of Data gave many technobabble speeches. Writers would frequently write "(TECH)" in draft scripts "as a sort of cry for help" to the science advisor André Bormanis, who would then come up with appropriate terminology. [1] [2] [3]
Ira Steven Behr enjoyed Q's line about technobabble in "Q-Less", commenting "it was a line we wrote with great glee, because at that point we hated the goddamned technobabble". (Captains' Logs Supplemental - The Unauthorized Guide to the New Trek Voyages, p 45)
The scene in "Rascals" where Riker confuses the Ferengi Morta with gibberish technology (such as the firomactal drive and isopalavial interface) was added by uncredited co-writer Ronald D. Moore as his "salute to technobabble". (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion 2nd, p. 224)
Beginning in Season 3 of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the DS9 writers made a conscious effort to reduce the amount of technobabble in scripts. (AOL chat, 1997)
Some critics have dismissed the reliance on technobabble, which is frequently used as a deus ex machina. [4] However, others have noted positively that certain fictional Star Trek technology, such as the Heisenberg compensator, at least attempt to plausibly address a real world scientific limitation to making science fiction a reality. [5] [6]
External links
- Technobabble at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
- Technobabble at Wikipedia
- Treknobabble at Wikipedia


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Egyptian Interior minister survives bomb attack
CAIRO >> Egypt's interior minister escaped an assassination attempt Thursday when a suspected car bomb struck his convoy in a Cairo neighborhood, in the first attack on a senior government official since the country's Islamist president was toppled in a coup two months ago.
The blast targeting Mohammed Ibrahim, who is in charge of the police force, fueled concerns over a possible wave of violence in retaliation for the July 3 ouster of Mohammed Morsi and the ensuing crackdown on Islamists.
At least 22 people were wounded, including police and civilian bystanders, and some vehicles in Ibrahim's convoy were heavily damaged— though he was not hurt. Security officials said initial investigations showed it came from a parked car loaded with explosives in the trunk. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the probe was not yet complete.
The attack echoed the sort of insurgency-style methods that Islamic militants have increasingly used in Egypt's tumultuous Sinai Peninsula. Last month, militants there attempted a suicide car bombing but were killed by police before carrying it out.
The bombing also harkened back to the insurgency waged by Islamic militants in the 1980s and 1990s against the rule of now-ousted autocrat Hosni Mubarak.
At that time, militants targeted several senior officials, killing the parliament speaker and attempting to assassinate at least four successive interior ministers, the last in 1993. Mubarak himself survived an assassination attempt in 1994, when militants attacked his convoy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Some of Morsi's more hard-line supporters have publicly threatened to wage a campaign of assassinations and car bombings against officials of the military-backed government until the former president is reinstated.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Thursday's blast.
The Anti-Coup Coalition, which groups Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood and other allied Islamist factions, condemned the attack, saying "it is against any violent act, even if it is against those who committed crimes against the people, because we aim to uphold the law."
It warned that authorities will use the blast as a pretext to extend a state of emergency in place since Morsi's removal and to increase "oppression" and arrests of Islamists.
The explosion detonated in the late morning as Ibrahim's convoy passed through Nasr City, an eastern district of Cairo that is a stronghold of the Brotherhood. Among those wounded were 10 police and 11 civilians, including a 7-year-old child whose right leg was amputated, the security officials said.
A mangled body was found near the car believed to have been used as the bomb and investigators were working to determine if it was of a bystander, a bomber or perhaps a lookout tasked with alerting the convoy's approach, the officials said.
The blast left a main avenue in Nasr City strewn with charred skeletons of vehicles, and a fire in one poured out heavy black smoke. Nearby storefronts were mangled and windows of nearby apartment buildings were shattered.
Clearly shaken, Ibrahim said on state television that his black SUV was directly hit by a "large-size explosive device" that badly damaged it along with four other vehicles in the convoy.
"It was a heinous (assassination) attempt," he later told reporters at the Interior Ministry in central Cairo. The explosive device, he added, likely was detonated by remote control.
"Even if I am martyred, another minister of interior will come and continue the war on the evil terror until we secure the country," Ibrahim said.
Police searched the area for suspects but no immediate arrests were made, the security officials said.
Ibrahim has aggressively led the crackdown on Islamists. Not far from the bomb site in another part of Nasr City, police stormed a sit-in protest by Morsi supporters on Aug. 14, killing hundreds.
Hundreds of members of Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamists have been arrested since the coup, including the Brotherhood's top leader Mohammed Badie and his powerful deputy Khairat el-Shater. Morsi has been held in an undisclosed location.
Ibrahim said in a television interview last week that he had received death threats.
Ibrahim was appointed to his post by Morsi and came under sharp criticism at the time even by some in the police as too beholden to the Islamist president. But since the coup, he has fully embraced the new military-led leadership.
Morsi, Egypt's first freely elected president, was toppled after days of protests by millions of Egyptians who demanded his departure after a year in office. During the six-weeklong sit-in protest in Nasr City, many of his supporters said they would fight the military-backed government al-Qaida-style, with suicide bombings, roadside bombs and assassinations.
The military chief who toppled Morsi, Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, issued a statement pledging to continue the fight against terrorism and stating the armed forces' support for the police.
Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi also condemned the "criminal" attack and vowed his government will "decisively and forcefully" combat terrorism.
The office of interim President Adly Mansour vowed in a statement that it would "not allow the terrorism that the Egyptian people crushed in the 1980s and 90s to raise its ugly head again."


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When it comes to caring for their clients, owners and employees alike at 5 Star Home Care aim to treat them like part of their family.
"We care for your family like they are one of our own," said company President Kenny Higdon.
5 Star takes pride in the caregivers it sends into clients' homes, and the company is very selective both about who it pairs with clients and how they are managed to ensure the best working relationship possible.
"We're not going to send someone to your home that we wouldn't send to our own," explained scheduling coordinator Richard Williams, adding that all caregivers must have at least six months of managed care experience and pass a very thorough two-phase interview process.
The process of caregiver selection begins with an interview with 5 Star's caregiver manager and is followed by another interview and extensive national background check with the company's scheduling coordinator.
More Information
For more information about 5 Star Home Care or to setup a one on one consultation, visit 5starhomecareusa.com or call 423-893-8181.
"We check the sex offender registry, abuse registry and meth registry," Williams explained.
Potential caregivers must also pass a 10-panel drug test at hire, and they are given random drug tests during the duration of their employment with 5 Star.
Beyond this process, 5 Star goes yet another extra mile to ensure clients get the best care possible by having caregivers complete an employee assessment consisting of their strengths, weaknesses and basic personality information.
"There is a fine art to what we do matching caregivers and clients," Higdon said. "Matching personalities is a key part of it."
Higdon gave the example that while one caregiver may complete the tasks in the correct fashion according to a client's request, if their personalities do not mesh well, the whole working relationship will not be a success.
"That's why you won't be hired today and then working tomorrow," Williams said. "We take our time to be sure the right people are paired together, and we're very selective." Higdon added that the ability to match the right caregivers with the right clients is something that truly sets 5 Star apart from its competitors. "Nine times out of 10 we get it right on the first try," he said. "And we want clients to know that in that one instance of it not working, we will find the right person for them."
Higdon added that with more than 100 employees, 5 Star's selection makes it possible for the company to find a caregiver that is the best fit for each client and their needs. Above all, the professionals at 5 Star Home Care agree that continuity and valuing people are key to making clients and caregivers happy.
"We want to be sure clients have the same caregivers each week and that we are treating [clients] like our own family," Higdon said. "You are trusting 5 Star with your loved one, and we take that seriously." To prove that point, 5 Star conducts monthly quality assurance checks for both caregivers and clients by revisiting each of them to see how the relationship is working to be sure everyone is still happy with the arrangement. If any changes need to be made, the company works to make the necessary tweaks and keep everything in working order.
"We've also invested in new technology to aid in supervising our caregivers even closer," Higdon said.
The company is utilizing a scheduling program in which caregivers must call in from the client's home phone both upon arrival and departure from their shift. If anyone is late, the company's scheduler is notified, and the scheduler must speak to the client at both times as well to ensure all is as it should be.
"This way we know clients are getting the services they are supposed to, by who they are supposed to and when they are supposed to," Williams explained.
5 Star Home Care provides professional, comprehensive home care to people who need help performing day-to-day activities. The staff assists individuals living with a disability, recovering from an injury or illness, or facing daily challenges that come with aging. They are set up to work in the home, or at assisted living facilities, hospitals or nursing homes.
New Balance of Chattanooga fitting kids for back to school
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Ryan had a dream that one day he could wear t-shirts that commemorated all his favorite concerts. One night, in October of 2010, Ryan got together with a friend over (several) cold beers at a local watering hole. They discussed this dream, and BAM: SetListTees.com. Since those beers, SetListTees has created over 100 unique designs commemorating concerts that span more than 50 years.


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App Description
Amsterdam Metro iPhone and iPod Touch Application is a comprehensive guide to traveling through Amsterdam Metro.
- Map of Amsterdam Metro. Landscape and portrait modes are available.
- Precise location of each station on the map (with a red circle), and also on Google Map.
- A bookmark manager allows you to save your stations and routes.
- The trip planner tool allows you to find automatically the best route to get to your destination in Amsterdam Metro. Travel time is also estimated.
- Interactive map to choose your stations for the route.
- The route planner included in this application does not require a network connection to operate, it works perfectly while in the subway.
- The application locates the nearest subway stations from your position in Amsterdam. It is possible to increase or decrease the distance of localization in the settings.
- You can provide an address in Amsterdam, the application indicates the stations closest to that address.
- The application is available in English, French, Spanish, and Deutsch.
- Updates already in work for this application.
Thank you for taking the time to report any bugs or to request an enhancement to Amsterdam Metro Application. Feedback is very important to us. We will do our best to answer queries. Email us at [email protected]
Keywords : subway, metro, métro, underground, train, rapid transit system, map.


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Biotherm's Favorite
World of Biotherm
Jeanine Marissal adds thermal plankton extract from the mountain springs of Molitg-Les-Bains to her formulations, the first time plankton has been used in skincare. Biotherm (a combination of "Biology" and "Thermal") is born.DISCOVER our story
Biotherm makes skincare and nothing bu skincare. So we devote equal resources to advancing our understanding of the skins's processes.Discover OUR EXPERTISE
Biotherm is committed to developing more sustainable water use and environmental best practices in the production of existing and future projects.Discover OUR WATER LOVERS
Discover the Biotherm brand ambassadors who embody the contemporary, strong vision of beauty embraced by Biotherm. They represent the very definition "live more, live to the full" beauty philosophy of our brand.Discover OUR VOICES


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Year of publication
- 2011 (1) (remove)
- English (1) (remove)
- Nickel (1) (remove)
Novel Cyclic α-Phosphino-α-amino Acids and α-Phosphonium Glycolates, P,O Ligands and Nickel Complexes (2011)
Novel heterocyclic alpha-phosphinoamino acids, by structural relationship named 3-phosphaprolines, were obtained by cyclocondensation of 2-phenylphosphinoethylamines with glyoxylic, pyruvic or phenylglyoxylic acid at room temperature in diethylether. The reactions proceed via primary attack of the P-lone electron pair, as shown by the synthesis of phosphonium glycolates from tertiary phosphines and glyoxylic acid, and addition of PH at the carbonyl group. The ring closure proceeds by replacement of the hydroxy by the amino group and is kinetically controlled. NMR monitoring of the phosphaprolines in CD3OD over several days indicates changes of the diastereoisomer ratios leading to higher contents of the more stable trans-diastereoisomers. The zwitterionic compounds are soluble in part in CD3OD, DMF or DMSO, are somewhat sensitive to air in solution and may undergo hydrolysis with larger amounts of water. The structures are proved by multinuclear NMR spectra and two crystal structure analyses. Suitable phosphaprolines as well phosphonium glycolates and Ni(COD)2 allow to generate precatalysts, activated by NaH for the oligomerisation of ethylene to mainly linear products with methyl and vinyl end groups. Some additional investigations with phosphinophenolates, another type of P-C-C-O- ligands, were performed for comparison. Precatalysts prepared from 2-phosphinophenolesters and Ni(COD)2 at room temperature were characterized by multinuclear NMR but decomposed on heating to stable nickel cis-bis(P,O-chelate) complexes. Heating precatalysts generated from a phosphinophenolester or phosphinophenols and Ni(COD)2 in the presence of ethylene under pressure led to linear ethylene oligomers. These reactions are much faster than the above mentioned conversions with NaH activated P,O-Ni-catalysts. In the presence of 9-decenol with unprotected remote hydroxyl group incorporation of a small amount of isolated hydroxyoctyl side groups takes place, detected by 13C NMR spectroscopy. Finally it is stated that the development of a facile synthesis and the characterization of the properties of the phosphaprolines pave the way for derivatisation and further studies with these novel types of amino acids.


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Out of stock
The Home Talk shaggy carpets are skillfully hand woven to create a great looking design, ideal for contemporary and modern rooms. Each piece is crafted to the highest standard using a blend of shaggy yarn to create this durable and attractive rug. Carefully finished with braided edges and tassels to complete the hand crafted ethnic look.
This flooring piece is really very beautiful home decor item that can brighten up your living space. The perfect shaggy carpet for home living rooms and corridors. These good looking carpets are specialty of our professional designers. It occupies less space and adds decor to the place exclusive product from the home talk brand.
We promise to deliver best quality products at best prices. our range of home furnishings products matches interiors with latest style. This is a series that promises comfort with positive energy reflected in the various products. Find more home furni shing Inspiration ideas only at www.thehometalk.com to update your home.
Accurate and high quality images are used to present the products but color might be slightly different due to monitor settings.
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far and away the best
of the first water
Student or Learner
Mike: I read his application and he is the cream of the crop.
Tdol: Do you think he'll getthe job?
Mike: Yeah, it's in the bag.
Is there any similiar idioms that close to 'the cream of the crop'? :)
far and away the best
of the first water
Thanks, I like the 'water' one. Something to share with you, but maybe you already know it.Originally Posted by Francois
Here is the link for the origin of this phrase.
TY for the link!
I'm quoting from the link above.Originally Posted by blacknomi
The term 'of the first water' has come to mean some kind of extreme, whether it's good or bad, such as 'a villain of the first water' or 'a star of the first water'.
So you would have to say something like "a candidate of the first water".


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TEFLOne is a free placement service for native English speaking EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teachers who are looking for rewarding positions around the world. The staff at TEFLOne have all worked in the EFL industry for many years and have experience working at schools in Asia and Europe. This helps guarantee that teachers are provided with accurate and up-to-date information.
We offer a free placement service for native English EFL teachers
Where do you want to go?
"Before my arrival in Japan TEFLOne was on hand to assist in any questions that I had. Obviously I was excited but also a little apprehensive with this new change coming from working in an office to teaching English in Japan. I knew that if I had a question then I could email TEFLOne and they would be prompt and professional with an answer." Derek Herbert, TEFLOne recruit
Who do we work with?
We only work with reputable schools and this ensures that after arrival you are taken care of both in terms of living in the country and the actual teaching job itself. All the schools we work with provide assistance with finding suitable accommodation and setting up bank accounts plus help with the day-to-day problems that may occur.
Do I qualify?
If you possess a full university degree, a TEFL certificate and are a native English speaker then we would welcome an application from you.
If you are unqualified we can provide you with information on where and how to become qualified as an English teacher through our contacts at recognized teacher training centers around the world.
Would I be a good teacher?
Teaching is an extremely enjoyable and rewarding profession and provides the platform to finance world travel at the same time as giving something back to the local community. If you are outgoing, hardworking and looking for a new and exciting challenge, then teaching English abroad could be for you.


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DALLAS (AP) — Lindy Ruff is the new coach of the Dallas Stars, an interesting twist for the coach who was on the other side of the franchise's only Stanley Cup championship.
Ruff coached 15 seasons for the Buffalo Sabres before being fired in February, when he was the NHL's longest active-serving coach with one team.
The Stars announced Ruff's hiring Friday in a news release and on the team's website. An introductory news conference was scheduled later Friday.
The Sabres' only Stanley Cup appearance under Ruff came in 1999, his second season as Buffalo's coach. They lost to the Stars after Brett Hull's controversial series-winning goal late in third overtime of Game 6.
While the Stars celebrated the title, NHL officials reviewed the goal to determine if Hull's skate was in the goalie's crease before having control of the puck. The goal stood, giving Dallas its only championship.
For Ruff and Sabres fans, that game has become known as "No Goal!"
Ruff was the first significant hire for new general manager Jim Nill, the 15-year Detroit Red Wings assistant GM who signed a five-year deal in April to replace the fired Joe Nieuwendyk.
" One of the trademarks of successful organizations is their ability to have continuity and stability for an extended period of time," Nill said in the release. "It is clear from Lindy's record, and from our own conversations, that we have found the right person to provide that stability and lead this club to the next level. His steady hand and experience will prove invaluable in returning our team as a top-tier contender in the NHL."
Two weeks after Nill was hired, he decided not to renew the third-year option for coach Glen Gulutzan.
The Stars missed the playoffs for the fifth season in a row, the longest postseason drought in team history. They were 22-22-4 last season, last in the Pacific Division.
Since Ruff still had two seasons left on his contract with Buffalo, the Stars had to get permission from the Sabres to talk to the 53-year-old coach.
"I am honored to being joining the Dallas Stars organization," Ruff said in the release. "After speaking at length with Jim Nill, it was clear that all the right pieces are coming together to return this club to the upper echelon of the NHL. I look forward to leading the resurgence."
Nill initially talked to Ruff at the draft combine in Toronto last month. Jim Lites, the Stars president, told those attending a Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce meeting Thursday that Ruff was in Frisco that day for more interviews with Nill.
It was 14 years ago Thursday that Game 6 ended in the early morning — more than 15 minutes into the third overtime.
Ruff was the Sabres' winningest coach (571-432-162), but was fired after Buffalo got off to a 6-10-1 in this year's NHL lockout-shortened season. There had been 170 NHL coaching changes between his hiring in July 1997 until he was fired.
Under Ruff, the Sabres made the playoffs in each of his first four seasons and eight times overall. They made the Eastern Conference finals in 2006 and 2007.
As a player, Ruff was selected in the second round of the 1979 draft by the Sabres and made the team that year. He was later the Sabres' captain, playing for Buffalo until being traded to the New York Rangers in 1989.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.


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1. What happened to Space Heroes?
Basically the number of kids playing dropped to the point that the world was becoming too expensive to run, without the support of paid memberships. Generally this was because of the rapid rise of mobile gaming as a preferred platform and lack of flash support – meaning we couldn't easily move to mobile. In the end, we had to make the tough decision to close the world, which we all really loved.
2. What was your favorite memories of Space Heroes Universe?
We'll I think the team all have different memories, but I especially liked the parties, and just walking around and seeing everyone have fun. My favourite spot on the homeworld was the Bubble Blaster park and the Starstruck theatre – loved the band game and seeing the heroes performing. I also really liked eating pizza. Of course I also really loved blasting into space in my Starjet and battling the Nauts!
3. What feature did you like the most in Space Heroes Universe?
All the community features, anything that made it fun for kids to hang and play together. I also liked all the personalisation options, super fun to dress up your hero and create a persona. My all-time favourite through were the Glows and Pets… they were the best!
4. What inspired you to create Space Heroes Universe?
We wanted to create a story driven MMO for kids to explore and hang, and the idea of it being in space really was appealing given the endless themes and possibilities for locations and creatures.
5. What will you miss the most about working on Space Heroes Universe?
The fans.
6. Do you plan on releasing any new games?
We have released a bunch of mobile games, as the company has moved from flash MMO to mobile. These include Jetpack Jinx, Cake Bake Blitz, most recently All Stars Tennis in the App Store, Google Play and Amazon.
And the team are working on an epic CCG/hack and slash hybrid, call Neo Tokyo League of Samurai.
7. If you were to start again on Space Heroes, what would you do differently?
Build it faster… we kinda missed the market by 12 months.
8. Do you have any idols?
My dogs… they are an inspiration, always so happy and selfless… bundles of fun!
9. Do you have anything else to add?
I can really say that myself and the team really appreciated all the love from the fans and our star players and bloggers. We always made a point of checking out your articles, videos and parties and it was really inspiring for us. We all wish you guys the best in your futures, you're all super cool and awesome!


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The Burnished Blade
Lawrence Schoonover
AbeBooks Seller Since September 23, 2004Quantity available: 1
AbeBooks Seller Since September 23, 2004Quantity available: 1
About this Item
Bibliographic Details
Title: The Burnished Blade
Publisher: The Macmillan Company, New York
Publication Date: 1948
Binding: Hardcover
Book Condition: Very Good
Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket
Edition: 1st Edition
Store Description
All prices are net of shipping. All books are available on a first come first serve basis. We do our best to accurately describe the physical condition of the books listed. Digital photographs are available upon request.
Returns cheerfully accepted within 30 days of shipment, no questions asked. Questions are welcomed and promptly answered. Shipping is prompt and carefully packaged. Costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required. Several items offered are sets and shipping will be based on actual costs of shipping and packaging.
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Tiger Truck, LLC
B-400685: Jan 14, 2009
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
(202) 512-8278
Kenneth E. Patton
(202) 512-8205
Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
Tiger Truck, LLC, of Poteau, Oklahoma, protests the award of a contract to Vantage Vehicle International, Inc., of Corona, California, issued by the General Services Administration (GSA) under request for quotations (RFQ) No. QSDACE-H4-08-2320-N, which included requirements of the Trade Agreements Act (TAA), for "mini-utility" vehicles. Tiger contends that the agency unlawfully awarded the contract to a vendor that did not comply with the TAA, and unreasonably rejected Tiger's quotation.
We sustain the protest.
B-400685, Tiger Truck, LLC, January 14, 2009
The decision issued on the date below was subject to a GAO Protective Order. This redacted version has been approved for public release.
Robert K. Tompkins, Esq., Michael J. Carrato, Esq., and Rory E. Adams, Esq., Patton Boggs LLP, for the protester.
James H. Roberts III, Esq., Van Scoyoc Kelly PLLC, and Nicholas J. Mosich, Esq., Mosich & Associates, for the intervenor.
Erica V. Ordonez, Esq., and Lee W. Crook III, Esq., General Services Administration, for the agency.
Sharon L. Larkin, Esq., and James A. Spangenberg, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, GAO, participated in the preparation of the decision.
In a procurement covered by the Trade Agreements Act (TAA), protest of an award to a vendor whose quotation identified products that were not TAA-compliant is sustained, where the agency failed to follow required evaluation procedures for TAA procurements, improperly failed to ascertain whether the products identified by the protester were TAA-compliant, and did not conduct meaningful discussions with the protester even though the agency regarded the protester's quoted price as unreasonably high.
Tiger Truck, LLC, of Poteau, Oklahoma, protests the award of a contract to Vantage Vehicle International, Inc., of Corona, California, issued by the General Services Administration (GSA) under request for quotations (RFQ) No. QSDACE-H4-08-2320'N, which included requirements of the Trade Agreements Act (TAA), for mini'utility vehicles. Tiger contends that the agency unlawfully awarded the contract to a vendor that did not comply with the TAA, and unreasonably rejected Tiger's quotation.
The RFQ sought 1,126 mini-utility vehicles for use by the Department of the Air Force. These vehicles were to be used for on'base purposes only, not for use on commercial roadways or interstate highways. The trucks, which were to be delivered within 120 days of first article approval, consisted of 262 mini-utility standard cabs, 174 mini-utility crew cabs, 178 mini-utility cargo vans, 356 mini-utility heavy duty standard cabs, and 156 mini-utility heavy duty crew cabs. RFQ at 3, attach. 2. The solicitation required that each type of vehicle meet certain specifications, such as passenger capacity, height and width, and load capacity. The solicitation also required that each vehicle come with certain options, such as air conditioning, an E85 fuel engine, and an automatic transmission. RFQ attach. 1.
The procurement was to be conducted as a commercial item acquisition in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part 12. The RFQ provided for award of a fixed-price contract to the vendor that provided the lowest-price, technically acceptable quotation. Technical acceptability was determined from evaluating technical conformance to government specifications, delivery requirements, past performance references, and manufacturer's warranty terms. RFQ at 3-4, 36-37.
In addition, the procurement was covered by the TAA, 19 U.S.C. sect. 2501 et seq. (2000), as implemented by FAR part 25.[1] Vendors were asked to certify that each end product was made in the United States or a designated country as defined in the RFQ, and list all end products that were not made in the United States or a designated country. RFQ at 27. The RFQ further provided as follows:
The Government will evaluate offers in accordance with the policies and procedures of [FAR part 25]. . . . The Government will consider for award only offers of U.S.-made or designated country end products unless the Contracting Officer determines that there are no offers for such products or that the offers for those products are insufficient to fulfill the requirements of this solicitation.[2]
RFQ at 28. For an item to be considered an end product of the United States or a designated country, it must be manufactured in that country, or, if some or all of the parts are from a non-designated country, it must be substantially transformed [in the United States or a designated country] into a new and different article of commerce with a name, character, or use distinct from the parts from which it was transformed. 19 U.S.C. sect. 2518(4)(B).
Prior to the issuance of this solicitation, the government had purchased mini-utility vehicles from vendors, including Tiger, which had not been TAA-compliant, because no vehicles manufactured in the United States or in designated countries were available. In the summer of 2007, Tiger announced plans to build a plant in Oklahoma that it asserted would be able to produce TAA-compliant vehicles responsive to Air Force and GSA requirements. See Protester's Comments at 3'4; Hearing Transcript (Tr.) at 15-16.[3] Tiger advised GSA that the firm would be uniquely situated as the only company that could produce American-made, TAA'compliant vehicles. Tr. at 99.
On July 28, 2008 (the closing date for receipt of quotations), Tiger, Vantage, and [REDACTED] submitted quotations in response to the RFQ. Tiger certified that its vehicles were manufactured in the United States, while the other firms indicated that their vehicles were manufactured in China, which is not a designated country. Contracting Officer's Statement at 5'6. Tiger quoted the highest price of [REDACTED], [REDACTED] quoted [REDACTED], and Vantage quoted [REDACTED]. Agency Report (AR), Tab 50, Prenegotiation Objectives Memorandum, at 1-2. All three quotations were found to be technically acceptable, although the contracting officer was concerned that Tiger's quoted price was exorbitant. AR, Tab 56, Price Negotiation Memorandum, at 11, 13. According to the agency, because they received only three quotations, and the only vendor that certified TAA compliance provided the highest'priced quotation, the contracting officer placed all three vendors' quotations in the competitive range. Id. at 13; see also AR, Tab 50, Prenegotiation Objectives Memorandum, at 2.
The contracting officer issued numerous questions and clarifications to vendors concerning a variety of issues, after which vendors were invited to submit best and final offers. Contracting Officer's Statement at 9; AR, Tab 56, Price Negotiation Memorandum, at 13. Tiger was not advised at any time during these exchanges that its price was considered exorbitant or unreasonably high. Tr. at 173-74. After the exchanges, Tiger reduced its price to [REDACTED], [REDACTED] reduced its price to [REDACTED], and Vantage reduced its price to [REDACTED]. Tiger offered to reduce its price by an additional [REDACTED] if the agency would agree to extend the delivery schedule by 60 days. AR, Tab 56, Price Negotiation Memorandum, at 13.
On September 9, the contracting officer and GSA's industrial operations analyst (IOA) conducted a site visit of Tiger's Oklahoma facility to determine whether Tiger's vehicles were TAA-compliant. During the site visit, Tiger provided GSA with a document that detailed Tiger's costs for the manufacture and assembly of these vehicles in the United States. On September 15, the IOA submitted a site visit report to the contracting officer. The IOA stated in the report that she believe[d] the process that Tiger is performing would constitute substantial transformation, even though the majority of components are coming from [REDACTED]; however, she qualified her opinion by acknowledging that she lack[ed] a clear definition of the term 'substantially transformed.' AR, Tab 46, IOA Report, at 3. Because of the IOA's qualified statement and the contracting officer's understanding that many of the parts were coming from [REDACTED], the contracting officer wasn't sure if Tiger's vehicles were TAA-compliant.[4] Tr. at 63, 75-76. She was able only to conclude that Tiger may comply with the [TAA] because major components/parts purchased and received from [REDACTED] may be substantially transformed during assembly operations in the manufacturing of these vehicles. AR, Tab 56, Price Negotiation Memorandum, at 11.
Although the contracting officer found that Tiger's vehicles may be TAA'compliant, she concluded that Tiger's quoted price was not fair and reasonable and, thus, Tiger could not be awarded the contract. Id. at 13.
In evaluating Tiger's price, the contracting officer compared Tiger's prices to competitive pricing received from other vendors in response to this RFQ, to the government estimate, to prices obtained from a 2007 open market procurement for the same vehicles, and to commercial prices published on Tiger's website. Contracting Officer's Statement at 9; AR, Tab 56, Price Negotiation Memorandum, at 11-13. All of this data, except for possibly some of Tiger's website prices, involved pricing for non-TAA-compliant vehicles.[5] The contracting officer asserts, and Tiger does not disagree, that other than Tiger's quoted price here and possibly its website prices, no data on American-made vehicles exists. Tr. at 97'99.
Under each of the bases of comparison, the contracting officer found Tiger's prices to be exorbitantly unreasonable. AR, Tab 56, Price Negotiation Memorandum, at 13. For example, when considering the overall total price, the contracting officer noted that Tiger's initial quoted total price was [REDACTED] percent higher than Vantage's initial price, [REDACTED] percent higher than [REDACTED] initial price, and [REDACTED] percent higher than the government estimate. Id. at 11. Similarly, she noted that Tiger's final quoted total price was [REDACTED] percent higher than Vantage's final price, and [REDACTED] percent higher than [REDACTED] final price. Id. at 13. Moreover, she found that Tiger's initial quoted price per vehicle ranged from [REDACTED] percent higher than published prices on its website, from [REDACTED] percent higher than its proposed 2007 prices for the same vehicles, and [REDACTED] percent higher than the awardee's prices under the 2007 contract for the same vehicles.[6] Id. at 12.
The contracting officer also looked to Tiger's cost information, which the firm provided during the site visit, to see if the information explained why Tiger's quoted prices were so high. Although this analysis is not documented anywhere in the contemporaneous record, the contracting officer explained during the hearing that she used the cost information to compare Tiger's identified costs to Tiger's prices in its quotation and to Tiger's published website prices. Tr. at 51-52, 92-97. She found significant unexplained discrepancies between Tiger's costs and prices; for example, she found that Tiger's prices per vehicle from its quotation ranged from [REDACTED] percent higher than Tiger's costs. Id.; Contracting Officer's Statement at 14. As noted above, the contracting officer did not question Tiger about these disparities during discussions. Tr. at 173-74.
Based on her analysis, the contracting officer determined that Tiger's quoted price was not fair and reasonable and, on that basis, she concluded that no TAA-compliant quotations were eligible for award. AR, Tab 56, Price Negotiation Memorandum, at 13. The contracting officer selected Vantage for award based on that firm's lowest-priced quotation, and Tiger protested.
Tiger protests that the agency unlawfully awarded the contract to a non-TAA- compliant vendor (Vantage) and improperly rejected Tiger's quotation. In a procurement covered by the TAA, such as the one here, an agency is prohibited from procuring, or even considering, non-TAA-compliant products unless the head of the contracting activity makes an [i]ndividual determination of non-availability, that is, a determination that no TAA'compliant goods are available in sufficient and reasonably available quantities of a satisfactory quality. FAR sections 25.103(b)(2), 25.502(b)(1), (3).[7] In this regard, an agency must [c]onsider only offers of U.S.-made or designated country end products, unless no offers of such end products were received. FAR sect. 25.502(b)(1); see also 19 U.S.C. sect. 2512(a)(2)(A). Only if no offer for a TAA'compliant product is received may an agency procure a non'TAA' compliant product, and only after the head of the contracting activity makes an individual non-availability determination. FAR sections 25.103(b)(2), 25.502(b)(3).
Tiger argues that the agency violated the TAA and its implementing regulations when it considered price before determining TAA compliance, evaluated Vantage's and [REDACTED] quotations even though their vehicles were not TAA-compliant, and awarded the contract to Vantage without obtaining the required non-availability determination from the head of the contracting activity. Tiger also complains that the agency failed to affirmatively determine that Tiger's vehicles complied with the TAA. Tiger's Post'Hearing Comments at 6-8.
The agency contends that the TAA requirements are not applicable here because there were no TAA-compliant quotations that were eligible for award, since Tiger (whose vehicles were the only arguably TAA-compliant ones) quoted a price that was not fair and reasonable. Contracting Officer's Statement at 18.
As an initial matter, we note that it is not clear from the record that Tiger's vehicles are, in fact, TAA-compliant. Consistent with this record, the contracting officer's determination was only that Tiger's vehicles may be TAA-compliant. AR, Tab 56, Price Negotiation Memorandum, at 11. Nonetheless, as noted above, the FAR requires that the agency consider only TAA-compliant products, which necessarily requires that the agency first determine whether Tiger's vehicles were TAA'compliant in order to ascertain whether any TAA-compliant products were available. If the agency had determined here that Tiger's vehicles were TAA'compliant, then the remaining vendors' quotations for non-TAA-compliant vehicles should have been eliminated from consideration and the agency should have evaluated only Tiger's quotation against the RFQ's evaluation criteria, including evaluating Tiger's price for reasonableness as further discussed below. If, however, the agency had determined that Tiger's vehicles, like the other vendors' vehicles, were not TAA'compliant, the head of the contracting activity would have been required to issue a non'availability determination, if he or she found it was warranted, before the agency could have selected a quotation for non-TAA-compliant vehicles for award. None of these events occurred here. Instead, in violation of FAR sect. 25.502, the agency failed to determine whether Tiger's vehicles complied with the TAA and made award based on a quotation for non'TAA-compliant vehicles without first obtaining a non'availability determination from the head of the contracting activity. We sustain the protest on these bases.
The agency asserts that Tiger was not prejudiced by any potential error in the evaluation, including TAA compliance, because it was not eligible for award due to its unreasonable price. Agency's Post-Hearing Comments at 14. It is a fundamental requirement that a government agency cannot award a contract at more than a fair and reasonable price, and there is nothing in the TAA or its implementing regulations that indicates that TAA-compliant products can be acquired for an amount greater than a fair and reasonable price. In this regard, FAR sect. 15.402(a) states that a contracting officer must purchase supplies and services at a fair and reasonable price.[8]
As noted above, if the agency in accordance with FAR sect. 25.502 determines that Tiger's vehicles are TAA-compliant, then the agency must evaluate Tiger's quotation, including whether Tiger's quoted price is fair and reasonable. We recognize that the agency determined that Tiger's price was exorbitantly unreasonable and found Tiger ineligible for award on this basis. AR, Tab 56, Price Negotiation Memorandum, at 13. However, the record also confirms that the agency failed to raise this issue during discussions, even though it held numerous rounds of discussions with the vendors and requested revised quotations inviting vendors to reduce their price.[9] Although the agency asserts that discussions were not intended and were not held, we find that the numerous questions and clarifications issued to vendors followed by the agency's request for best and final offers, which included revisions to vendor's prices, constitutes discussions as contemplated by the FAR.[10] AR, Tab 56, Price Negotiation Memorandum, at 12; Contracting Officer's Statement at 9; Tr. at 173; see FAR sect. 15.306(d).[11]
Although the solicitation here did not require the agency to hold discussions with vendors, once an agency chooses to do so, as occurred here, the discussions are required to be meaningful; that is, the agency is required to raise with a vendor significant weaknesses and deficiencies identified in the vendor's quotation. FAR sect. 15.306(d)(3). Discussions cannot be meaningful if a vendor is not advised of the significant weaknesses or deficiencies that must be addressed in order for its quotation to be in line for award. DevTech Sys., Inc., B-284860.2, Dec. 20, 2000, 2001 CPD para. 11 at 4. There is no doubt that Tiger's quoted price was viewed by the agency as a deficiency, as Tiger's price was the sole basis for the agency's finding that the quotation was ineligible for award. In holding discussions with Tiger, but not raising with the firm the concern that Tiger's price was unreasonable, the agency did not provide Tiger with meaningful discussions. DevTech Sys., Inc., supra, at 4-5.
We find a reasonable possibility that Tiger was prejudiced by the agency's failure to hold discussions concerning the reasonableness of the firm's price. Had the agency raised its concern with Tiger, then Tiger would have had the opportunity to explain why its price was fair and reasonable or to reduce it, such that the agency may have ultimately found the price to be fair and reasonable and, thus, Tiger's quotation would have been in line for award. Coupled with the agency's failure to properly evaluate TAA eligibility, we find that the agency's failure to hold meaningful discussions prejudiced the protester, and we sustain the protest on these bases.[12] See Cogent Sys., Inc., B'295990.4, B'295990.5, Oct. 6, 2005, 2005 CPD para. 179 at 10-11.
We recommend that the agency reevaluate the quotations in a manner consistent with FAR sect. 25.502, and first determine if the vehicles identified in Tiger's quotation are TAA'compliant. If so, the agency should re-open discussions with Tiger that would include the reasonableness of its price and then request a revised quotation from that firm. If the agency determines that Tiger's vehicles are TAA'compliant and that its final quoted price is fair and reasonable, we recommend that the contract awarded to Vantage be terminated and award be made to Tiger. If the agency determines that no TAA'compliant quotations have been submitted under this solicitation or if, after discussions, Tiger's price is determined to be not fair and reasonable, then the head of the contracting activity should consider whether it is appropriate to make a non'availability determination and if such a determination is made, the contract awarded to Vantage, the low-priced vendor with non'TAA-compliant vehicles, should not be disturbed. We also recommend that the agency reimburse the protester for the reasonable costs of filing and pursuing its protest, including the reasonable costs of attorneys' fees. 4 C.F.R. sect. 21.8(d). The protester should submit is certified claim for costs to the agency within 60 days of receipt of this decision. 4 C.F.R. sect. 21.8(f)(1).
The protest is sustained.
Gary L. Kepplinger
General Counsel
[1] The TAA authorizes the President to waive all buy-national laws, regulations, or procedures for the acquisition of eligible products from any country designated as a reciprocating, signatory nation to a recognized agreement or as a least developed country. 19 U.S.C. sect. 2511; Hung Myung (USA) Ltd., Inc.; Containertechnik Hamburg GmbH & Co., B-244686 et al., Nov. 7, 1991, 91-2 CPD para. 434 at 2-3. In order to encourage trade agreements with additional countries for reciprocal procurement opportunities, the TAA also requires the President to prohibit the procurement of eligible products from foreign countries not designated pursuant to the TAA. 19 U.S.C. sect. 2512(a). The net effect is that products and supplies of designated countries--that is, TAA-compliant products--receive the same treatment as American products, and products from non-designated countries generally cannot be purchased absent a non-availability determination as discussed below. FAR sections 25.402(a)(1), 25.502(b)(3); Olympic Container Corp., B-250403, Jan. 29, 1993, 93'1 CPD para. 89 at 2.
[2] As discussed below, the contracting officer does not have the authority to make this non-availability determination, which must be made by the head of the contracting activity. FAR sections 25.103(b)(2), 25.502(b)(3).
[3] Our Office conducted a hearing in this matter to elicit testimony as to how GSA evaluated Tiger's quotation.
[4] On September 16, Tiger's counsel provided the contracting officer with a legal opinion explaining why Tiger's vehicles should be considered end products of the United States, but the contracting officer found that this letter contained factual information that was contradictory to information received during the site visit. Contracting Officer's Statement at 17; Tr. at 151-52. Although Tiger's counsel later revised this letter, the revised letter did not resolve the doubt the contracting officer had as to whether Tiger's vehicles were TAA-compliant.
[5] On its website, Tiger marketed one of its vehicle types (the heavy duty standard cab) as Made in America; the website is silent as to the country of origin for the other vehicle types at issue here. Tr. at 52; Agency Legal Memorandum, at 6 n.3.
[6] For ease of reading, our Office has rounded the percentages to the nearest whole number.
[7] There is also the possibility of a class determination of non-availability for identified items. FAR sect. 25.103(b)(1). There is no indication in the record that such a determination was made here.
[8] Although this was a commercial item acquisition conducted under FAR part 12, that part expressly provides that an agency must determine the reasonableness of a vendor's price in accordance with FAR subpart 15.4. FAR sect. 12.209.
[9] We recognize that Tiger's challenge of the adequacy of discussions may be untimely under our Bid Protest Regulations because it was not specifically raised in the initial protest. See 4 C.F.R. sect. 21.2(a)(2) (2008). To the extent that this issue can be considered untimely, we consider the issue raised to be a significant one that should be treated on the merits. Accordingly, we find that the issue is appropriate for consideration under the significant issue exception to our timeliness rules. 4 C.F.R. sect. 21.2(c). What constitutes a significant issue is to be decided on a case-by-case basis. Celadon Labs., Inc., B-298533, Nov. 1, 2006, 2006 CPD para. 158 at 4. We generally regard a significant issue as one of widespread interest to the procurement community and that has not been previously decided. Id. The issue here--the interplay between the obligation to conduct meaningful discussions and the rules governing TAA procurements--is not one that we have previously decided and is one that can be expected to arise in future TAA procurements.
[10] The acid test of whether discussions have occurred is whether the agency has provided an opportunity for submissions to be revised or modified. In this regard, it is the actions of the parties, and not the characterization by the agency, that determines whether discussions have occurred. Computer Sci. Corp. et al., B'298494.2 et al., May 10, 2007, 2007 CPD para. 103 at 9-10.
[11] With regard to FAR part 12 procurements conducted under negotiated procedures, as here, contracting officers are required to adhere to the policies and procedures for solicitation, evaluation, and award prescribed in FAR part 15. FAR sect. 12.203. It is not clear why the agency issued a request for quotations, rather than a request for proposals.
[12] Tiger also complains that the agency misevaluated price by considering Chinese'made vehicles as a basis of price comparison. We find nothing in the TAA or its implementing regulations that prohibits the consideration of these prices as one aspect of determining whether a quoted price is fair and reasonable. We note that in analogous situations, agencies are permitted to use the prices of ineligible offerors as a basis of comparison when determining price reasonableness. See American Imaging Servs., B-238969, B'238971, July 19, 1990, 90-2 CPD para. 51 at 3 (in a procurement set aside for small business, prices from ineligible large businesses may be considered in evaluating the reasonableness of a small business' price); see also FAR sect. 25.105 (in Buy American Act procurements, domestic product prices may be compared to foreign prices, albeit, unlike with TAA procurements, domestic prices in Buy American Act procurements are considered reasonable only if they do not exceed certain identified percentages). Furthermore, the FAR broadly provides that an agency may use a variety of techniques or procedures in determining price reasonableness, including, but not limited to, comparing prices received in response to a solicitation; comparing prices previously proposed for the same or similar items; comparing published market prices; and comparing proposed prices to an independent government estimate. FAR sect. 15.404'1(b). In addition, it may be appropriate to solicit and analyze pricing information provided by Tiger supporting its proposed price. FAR sect. 15.404'1(b)(vii).
Nov 25, 2020
Battelle Memorial Institute
We deny the protest.
Exceed, LLC
We deny the protest.
Nov 24, 2020
Posterity Arora JV, LLC
We deny the protest.
Technology, Automation & Management, Inc.
We deny the protest.
Nov 20, 2020
Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless
We deny the protest.
RIVA Solutions, Inc.
We deny the protest.
DynCorp International, LLC
We deny the protest.
Nov 19, 2020
Qbase, LLC; Perspecta Enterprise Solutions, LLC; and Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
We sustain the protest.
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Jeff Yost, President and CEO, Nebraska Community Foundation
For a long time "experts" have been telling those of us who live on the Great Plains that unless we are located close to an Interstate or near an urban center there's no hope for the future of our small towns. Sometimes the experts get it wrong. In many small towns across Nebraska, people are learning how to increase prosperity by building on their own assets. And through the work of the Nebraska Community Foundation, local philanthropy is becoming an ever more important asset.
Holt County, with just over 10,000 people, is located in north-central Nebraska. It's about 100 miles north of Interstate 80 and 200 miles from the state's major metro areas. It doesn't have a four-lane highway. It is a place where small businesses, farms and ranches are the norm. Only 10 employers in the region employ more than 20 people.
Five years ago, the Nebraska Community Foundation worked with leaders in Holt County to launch a new economic development office and hire a director. New jobs, business start-ups and expansions followed.
Then in 2010 the program received a three-year grant commitment from NCF's Rudolph Elis Donor-Advised Fund. The economic development program expanded by adding a business coach. Today, Holt County Economic Development (HCED), an NCF affiliated fund, helps businesses grow and attracts new families to the area. A young professionals group meets regularly; seminars for business succession help retiring owners plan for transition; youth entrepreneurship camps and a "HomeTown Leadership Institute" with 130 graduates, are all part of the mix.
Since 2007, 29 new businesses have been created, 18 have been expanded and 10 have successfully transitioned to new owners, resulting in 239 new or retained jobs. More than 120 families and/or individuals have moved into the county.
This economic progress – tied to philanthropic investment – attracted the attention of NET Television, Nebraska's public television network. In 2012 Holt County Economic Development was the focus of NET's program, "Nebraska Philanthropy: Investing in our Future."
Holt County is a place where small businesses, farms and ranches are the norm. But, as the NET production crew discovered, something unusual is happening in this otherwise typical county of nine small towns and villages: It's called HomeTown Competitiveness.
HomeTown Competitiveness is not about towns competing against one another. It's about hometowns competing in a global economy.
"If you think of a business model, the best way to generate more business is to start with the people and the products you already have," says Jon Schmaderer, the 41-year-old president of Tri-County Bank in Stuart, Nebraska. "It works in the business world. It works in economic development, and it's worked for us."
|Holt County Economic Development (HCED) helped pharmacists Amy Krotter and Tyler Laetsch set up shop in Atkinson.
HomeTown Competitiveness (HTC) links together four key resources that nearly every rural community – no matter how small – already has:
o Leadership – to mobilize communities with a long-term vision for prosperity
o Entrepreneurship – to support innovation and economic growth
o Youth Engagement – to cultivate a sense of belonging and opportunity
o Philanthropy – to provide financial resources for economic development activities
The framework was developed by three nonprofit organizations: The Nebraska Community Foundation, the RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship and the Heartland Center for Leadership Development.
"They took time to educate us on the whole process of building community affiliated funds with endowments, and the importance of the intergenerational transfer of wealth," said Schmaderer.
"But what really changed things was our leadership program. It started in Stuart and Atkinson. It's amazing how little you know about people who live just a few miles down the road. By the end of the 12- or 18-month process we were feeling pretty good about ourselves. There were a couple of really large projects that we needed each other's help on. Probably what made everything go a lot better than we expected was that young people, kids who went to high school together, were at the leadership classes from the start. They just energized us," Schmaderer said.
It wasn't long before O'Neill, the county seat, joined in, and soon after, the leadership program became a county-wide effort. With the help of the Nebraska Community Foundation the county applied for and received a Building Entrepreneurial Communities grant and a Federal Home Loan Bank JOBS grant.
These successes did not go unnoticed, and thankfully, community-based affiliated funds through the Nebraska Community Foundation were in place to receive the generous response from the community. In addition to small and medium gifts from a broad range of individuals and businesses, several major gifts and bequests have materialized.
By reaching out to alumni, HCED has helped bring back
young families and many have returned on their own.
A $130,000 gift of grain launched the Karen and Paul Seger Family donor-advised fund to benefit the area. An $800,000 estate gift of two sisters, Mary and Martha Linhart, funds scholarships to non-traditional students and students who intend to return to the area. And the $2.3 million donor-advised fund of the late Rudy Elis supports entrepreneurship and people attraction in the area. Its first grant, $87,500 over three years, is matched two-to-one by other local sources and supported the hiring of a business coach to work alongside HCED executive director, Nicole Sedlacek.
Today, Holt County has more than $3.5 million in endowed assets through several NCF affiliated funds. Grants support non-traditional scholarships to improve the skill levels of adults working in the community; high-quality health care for families and seniors; small business development and transition; youth engagement programs that encourage young people to return home; and arts, recreation and public safety to make Holt County a place where young families can thrive.
Duba's Trailer Customizing is a small family business in Chambers,
but it reaches a national market for its specialized equestrian trailers and campers.
Instead, Holt County follows a proven business model. It works with the people and the assets it already has.
Holt County Economic Development Director Nicole Sedlacek
Each spring Nicole Sedlacek visits every graduating high school class in the county. Each student receives a full-sized, personalized mailbox, with a reminder that they are always welcome home and an invitation to come back.
As so many NCF affiliated fund leaders across Nebraska say, "We don't give our kids suitcases for graduation anymore!"


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SYNOPSIS: An airplane exposed to radiation lands, and blood drinking zombies emerge armed with knives, guns and teeth! They go on a rampage slicing, dicing, and biting their way across the Italian countryside. REVIEW: Director – Umberto Lenzi Starring – Hugo Stiglitz, Laura Trotter, Maria Rosaria Omaggio From Italian director Umberto Lenzi comes one unique zombie movie. Maybe super zombies …Read More »
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