text:
Yesterday, the road to the 2014 World Cup kicked off with the first AFC qualifying round. (Technically, Montserrat and Belize played their first match two weeks ago, in Trinidad and Tobago because Montserrat doesn't have an acceptable stadium. The game drew 100 spectators.)
There are 208 member nations on FIFA's globe. This math differs from other international organizations: constituent countries like Scotland and Curaçao are represented by national teams. Meanwhile some sovereign and disputed nations, like the Vatican or Western Sahara, are not. But of those 208, Brazil automatically qualifies as hosts. (Defending champion Spain does not, a rule that has been in place beginning with 2006 qualifying.)
Of the remaining teams, there are only four in this whole wide world of ours that aren't attempting to qualify, for various reasons.
In a nation of 400,000 people, the Brunei Football Association oversees just 2,500 semi-professional players. In their only attempt at World Cup qualification, in 2002, they lost all three games they played, getting outscored 28 goals to zero. Included was a 12-0 home loss to the UAE.
In 2008, the Brunei Football Association (which has a Hotmail email account) was suspended by FIFA due to unacceptable government control of the body. They were reinstated just last month, well after the deadline to register for 2014 qualifying.
A US Territory, Guam's national team only joined FIFA in 1996. They did not win a game until a 1-0 squeaker over Mongolia in 2009.
In 2006 qualifying, Guam moved to the second round of via a forfeit, but withdrew from the competition claiming they wanted to focus on building their team at home. Few bought the excuse, and in 2010, they withdrew before playing a game for financial reasons. Essentially, the Guam Football Association is not prepared to lose money by sending their team to play overseas in a game they cannot win. This time around, they didn't even bother to pretend.
The Bhutan Football Federation only joined FIFA in 2000, around the same time as the country began to institute democratic reforms. The country's first democratic elections took place in 2008, so there have been more important matters than soccer to deal with. (Although the national team did chalk up a win over previously-mentioned Montserrat, earning Montserrat the unofficial title of "worst soccer nation.")
Bhutan initially registered for 2010 qualifiers, but withdrew because they would not have a stadium ready in time. A culture of soccer has yet to take hold in a country where archery is the national sport, and Bhutan did not enter 2014 qualifying.
I know what you're saying. You're saying, "isn't Mauritania part of the CAF draw to be held next month which will determine their opponents in qualifying?" Actually, that's Mauritius. Stupid.
Mauritania is one of the poorest, least stable nations in Africa. A military strongman seized power in 2008 and had himself "elected" president a year later. So, despite attempting qualification for the last four World Cups, they will not be trying again this time around.


text:
SMTP won't verify
Posted 24 July 2013 - 04:06 PM
I have checked both and they are correct. Users also are not receiving the notices.
Posted 24 July 2013 - 09:27 PM
I have installed the Freeware version Password Expiration Notice on our 2011 Windows SBS. I will generate reports for the domain but it will not e-mail them. Under the SMTP settings when you click the "verify" button I get a pop-up that says "Unable to send test message to the specified address. Please make sure that the address entered in correct or verify you SMTP settings"
I have checked both and they are correct. Users also are not receiving the notices.
Most likely the actual reason it fails to send when it runs will be in the trace logs. You can find the trace logs in the product install directory. Please upload the contents of the trace folder to www.netwrix.com/upload and put ForumSMTPVerify_JB and also please include a screenshot of your SMTP settings.
Posted 26 July 2013 - 01:54 PM
I got your logs. The error reported in the following forum thread was the same as what your Exchange server was sending back to us when we attempted to send mail. This may help you.
Posted 26 July 2013 - 08:27 PM
Posted 26 July 2013 - 08:28 PM
Followed the suggestion in the link. The verify button works now, we will see if users start getting e-mails. Thanks for the help.
No problem! If you don't want to wait for it to run on its own you can go into Windows Task Scheduler and run the scheduled task for Password Expiration Notifier and be able to verify more quickly.

subset: commoncrawl


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A Calgary Food and Art Tour (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
I visited Calgary for the first time (OK, second time, but the first time was only for 2 hours so that doesn't count) earlier this summer. A great way to explore the city and especially its dining scene is to join Calgary Food Tours. I got a blogger discount through the Calgary Tourism Board so I took my cousins along! There are a few different tours you can choose from and in different areas of Calgary - I chose the Palette to Palate tour since it combined both food and viewing art in the surrounding area.
The meeting point was Hotel Arts in the downtown area, an appropriate place for an art tour.
|Calgarians love their horses
Hotel Arts displays quite a few interesting modern art throughout the first floor - many of them are local artists from the Alberta area. Our guide (a lovely former Texan called Regan) took us through some of them, discussing the background and meaning of each.
For our first food stop, we stopped at Yellow Door Bistro, which was inside the Hotel Arts. Chef Duncan Ly from Yellow Door prepared some of the best carbonara pasta our group has ever had, topped with crispy pancetta and crisped basil leaves. The sweet, local tomatoes cut the richness of the dish.


text:
Wetpixel March/April Contest Winners
Congratulations to the winners of our first Wetpixel official photo contest! All of us were very impressed with the caliber of the submissions, and chosing the winners was not an easy task! See the winning entries here.
1st Place: "Loving Leafies" by Dave Harasti (Dave H)
2nd Place: "WWII Corsair Airplane" by (lidde)
3rd Place: "The thing" by Dany Weinberg (BIKO)
Hon Mention: "Free climbing" by Francesco Visintin (france_vis)
Winners are chosen by our world-renowned jury of photographers and will receive prizes from our contest sponsors: Aquatica, Pictopia, Ikelite, Gates Housings, Ultralight Control Systems, Marine Camera Distributors, INON America, and Fathoms.
Be sure to enter our official May/June 2004 photo contest, which will be accepting entries until the end of this month.


text:
DB Consulting Group, Inc.
B-401543.2,B-401543.3: Apr 28, 2010
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
(202) 512-8278
Kenneth E. Patton
(202) 512-8205
Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
DB Consulting Group, Inc., of Silver Spring, Maryland, protests the award of a contract to ASRC Primus, of Greenbelt, Maryland, under request for proposals (RFP) No. NNG08230770R, issued by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for integrated information technology services at the Goddard Flight Center. DB maintains that the agency misevaluated proposals, failed to provide it with adequate discussions, and made an unreasonable source selection decision.
We deny the protest.
B-401543.2; B-401543.3, DB Consulting Group, Inc., April 28, 2010
The decision issued on the date below was subject to a GAO Protective Order. This redacted version has been approved for public release.
Matter of: DB Consulting Group, Inc.
David P. Metzger, Esq., Caitlin K. Cloonan, Esq., and C. Scott Morrow, Esq., Arnold & Porter LLP, for the protester.
Amy L. O'Sullivan, Esq., Marc F. Efron, Esq., John E. McCarthy, Jr., Esq., Puja Satiani, Esq., and Howard Yuan, Esq., Crowell & Moring, LLP, for ASRC Primus, an intervenor.
Richard J. McCarthy, Esq., Daniel C. Hymer, Esq., and John H. Eckhardt, Esq., National Aeronautics and Space Administration, for the agency.
Scott H. Riback, Esq., and John M. Melody, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, GAO, participated in the preparation of the decision.
1. Protest that agency misevaluated proposals is denied where record shows that agency's evaluation was consistent with terms of solicitation and applicable procurement statutes and regulations.
2. Protest that agency failed to engage in adequate discussions is denied; agency was not legally obligated to conduct discussions in areas in question.
DB Consulting Group, Inc., of Silver Spring, Maryland, protests the award of a contract to ASRC Primus, of Greenbelt, Maryland, under request for proposals (RFP) No. NNG08230770R, issued by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for integrated information technology services at the Goddard Flight Center. DB maintains that the agency misevaluated proposals, failed to provide it with adequate discussions, and made an unreasonable source selection decision.
The acquisition, set aside for section 8(a) concerns,[1] contemplated the award of an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ), fixed-price, incentive fee contract to perform a wide array of information technology support services during a 5-year effective ordering period, measured from the date of contract award. RFP Cover Letter, Aug. 22, 2008, Agency Report (AR), exh. 2, at BATES 139.[2] The RFP provided that award would be made on a "best value" basis considering price and two non'price factors--mission suitability and past performance. AR, exh. 2, at BATES 254. Price was significantly less important than the mission suitability and past performance factors combined. Id.
The RFP also advised that the evaluation would be conducted in accordance with the requirements outlined at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part 15.3, and NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) part 1815.3.[3] AR, exh. 2, at BATES 254. With respect to the mission suitability factor, consistent with NFS sect. 1815.304-70, the agency would assign point scores to the subfactors under the mission suitability factor--performance work statement (PWS)/technical approach (400 possible points), representative task orders (300 points), management approach (250 points), and safety and health (50 points)--for a possible total score of 1,000 points. AR, exh. 2,
at BATES 259. As further outlined in NFS sect. 1815.304-70(b)(2), the agency would arrive at point scores by assigning proposals an adjectival rating and percentile rating under each subfactor, [4] and then multiplying the possible point score by the percentile rating assigned. In evaluating past performance, proposals would be assigned adjectival confidence ratings, consistent with NFS sect. 1815.305, of very high level, high level, moderate level, low level, very low level, or neutral. AR, exh. 2, at BATES 261-62.
Price was to be evaluated for fairness and reasonableness; the RFP also provided that a cost realism evaluation could be conducted to assess contractor responsibility and performance risk. AR, exh. 2, at BATES 260. The RFP further provided, in connection with the agency's price evaluation, that the agency would evaluate the extent to which the offerors' proposed prices indicated a clear understanding of the solicitation's representative task orders, and reflected a sound approach to satisfying their objectives; where the agency determined that proposed prices were either unrealistically high or low, and the proposal contained no explanation for the unrealistically high or low price, the agency would assign the proposal a risk under the mission suitability factor. Id.
The agency received several proposals and, after evaluating them, placed three of them in the competitive range, including those submitted by the protester and the awardee. AR exh. 21. The agency held discussions with the competitive range offerors and obtained final proposal revisions (FPR). The agency evaluated the FPRs as follows:
Mission Suitability
Offeror A
PWS/Tech. App. (400)
Very Good (332)
Very Good (340)
Fair (152)
Good (186)
Good (180)
Fair (102)
Mgmt. App. (250)
Excellent (227.5)
Good (157.5)
Good (150)
Safety and Health (50)
Good (30)
Good (30)
Good (30)
Total Point Score
Past Performance
Very High Confidence
Very High Confidence
Very High Confidence
AR, exh. 35, at BATES 6189. On the basis of these evaluation results, the agency made award to ASRC, finding that that firm's proposal offered the best value to the government. AR exh. 37.
DB challenges the evaluation of proposals on numerous grounds. In considering protests challenging an agency's evaluation of proposals, we will not reevaluate proposals; rather, we will examine the record to determine whether the agency's evaluation conclusions were reasonable and consistent with the terms of the solicitation and applicable procurement laws and regulations. Engineered Elec. Co. d/b/a/ DRS Fermont, B'295126.5, B-295126.6, Dec. 7, 2007, 2008 CPD 4 at 3-4. We have considered all of DB's assertions and find them to be without merit. We discuss DB's principal contentions below.
Point Score Assignments
DB asserts that, in evaluating proposals, the agency arbitrarily assigned percentage ratings/point scores. According to the protester, even where its and the awardee's proposals received the same adjectival ratings, the percentage ratings, and hence the point scores assigned, were different for each proposal. DB maintains that the record does not contain an explanation of how the percentage ratings/point scores were determined.
We find no merit to this aspect of DB's protest. The record shows that the agency evaluated proposals as provided for in the RFP and applicable regulations, that is, the source evaluation board (SEB) first prepared extensive narrative materials that outlined the significant strengths, strengths, weaknesses, significant weaknesses and deficiencies in each proposal. Thereafter, the evaluators considered the definitions for the various adjectival ratings included in NFS sect. 1815.305 to determine the appropriate adjectival and percentile rating based on the identified strengths and weaknesses.
For example, in the case of the protester, the record shows that the agency found, under the technical approach/PWS subfactor, that the firm's proposal had one significant strength, four strengths, five weaknesses and no significant weaknesses or deficiencies. AR, exh. 35, at BATES 6235-50. Based on these findings, the agency assigned the protester's proposal an adjectival rating of very good, consistent with the definition of very good in NFS sect. 1815.305, which describes a very good proposal as follows: "A proposal having no deficiency and which demonstrates over-all competence. One or more significant strengths have been found, and strengths outbalance any weaknesses that exist."
In comparison, the evaluators found that ASRC's proposal had one significant strength, two strengths, four weaknesses and no significant weaknesses or deficiencies under the technical approach/PWS subfactor; the evaluators also assigned ASRC's proposal an adjectival rating of very good. AR, exh. 35,
at BATES 6190-05.
In assigning point to the two proposals, however, the record shows that the agency differentiated between the two offers, finding the protester's proposal slightly stronger under the technical approach/PWS subfactor. In this respect, the record shows that the agency assigned DB's proposal an 85 percent rating under this subfactor (for a numeric score of 340 points), while at the same time assigning the
ASRC proposal an 83 percent rating under this subfactor (for a numeric score of
332 points). AR, exh. 35, at BATES 6189.
We find nothing objectionable in the agency's actions. The evaluators assigned point scores in accordance with the rating scheme outlined in the RFP and NFS sect. 1815.305 in order to provide the source selection authority (SSA) with what amounted to a summation of their views--expressed elsewhere at length in the narrative evaluation materials--regarding the comparative merits of the competing proposals. As we have long noted, point scores or adjectival ratings are guides for intelligent decision making in the procurement process; where the record shows that the evaluators and SSA reasonably considered the underlying bases for the ratings in a manner that is consistent with the terms of the RFP, a protester's disagreement with the ratings or point scores assigned essentially is inconsequential. Burchick Constr. Co.,
B-400342.3, Apr. 20, 2009, 2009 CPD 102 at 4-5. In challenging the assignment of point scores, DB does not take issue with the agency's underlying substantive findings concerning the merits of the proposals which, the record shows, ultimately formed the basis for the SSA's selection decision. AR, exh. 37, at BATES 6428-37. Accordingly, we have no basis to object to the agency's scoring of proposals for the reasons advanced by DB.
Evaluation Against RFP Statement of Objectives (SOO)
DB asserts that the agency improperly failed to evaluate the proposals against the solicitation's SOO. According to the protester, the RFP required the agency to systematically evaluate the proposals against each and every objective articulated in the SOO (a document running some 20 pages in the RFP). The protester asserts that the evaluation failed to meet this solicitation requirement. This argument is without merit. While the evaluation criteria made reference to the SOO, nothing in the RFP provided that the agency would systematically evaluate proposals against the SOO. It thus was not required to perform the evaluation in this manner.
Evaluation of DB's Proposal
DB asserts that the evaluation improperly failed to recognize some [deleted] specific innovations offered in its proposal. According to the protester, the RFP required the agency to assess all proposed innovations. DB further asserts that, to the extent the agency did identify [deleted] other proposed innovations, it improperly "collapsed" the identified innovations into just a few proposal strengths or significant strengths, when it should have separately noted each innovation as a separate strength or significant strength.
This aspect of the evaluation was unobjectionable. Contrary to the protester's opinion of the merits of its proposal, the agency explains that many of the supposed innovations identified by DB did no more than meet the RFP's requirements, and thus cannot reasonably be described as innovations. For example, the agency notes that one of the innovations cited by DB is [deleted]. DB Letter of Protest, Jan. 19, 2010, at 36. The agency states that it did not credit DB's proposal with a strength for this feature because the offered collaborative process already exists and, in any event, the proposal did not explain how this claimed innovation would be implemented. Contracting Officer's Statement of Facts, at 33. DB does not rebut the agency's position; it asserts only that this finding was not expressly noted in the contemporaneous evaluation record. As noted by the agency, however (and consistent with NFS sect. 1815.305), the agency's evaluation documentation is comprised of expressly noted strengths, weaknesses and deficiencies, and where a proposal merely met the RFP's requirements or otherwise did not contain a strength, weakness or deficiency, the agency's evaluation record made no separate note of this. AR, exh. 35. This was unobjectionable.
The agency's alleged "collapsing" of several innovations into a few strengths or significant strengths also does not provide a basis for questioning the evaluation. First, the solicitation did not set forth the manner in which evaluated innovations would be converted into strengths. Further, the record does not show that the agency followed a different approach in assigning strengths to other proposals. Finally, the record shows that all of the evaluated innovations were presented to the SSA, and that the SSA was fully aware of all of them when making her selection decision. AR exhs. 35, 36, 37. There is no indication that the manner in which DB's innovations were grouped into strengths had any effect on the selection decision. As with DB's other arguments above, DB does not challenge the substantive aspects of the agency's evaluation, but only objects to the presentation of that information in a particular manner; in effect, DB does not maintain that the agency improperly failed to credit its proposal with these strengths, but only that it did not "count" the strengths in a manner that DB maintains they should have been counted. This does not provide our Office a basis to question the evaluation.
Evaluation of ASRC's Past Performance
DB asserts that the agency misevaluated ASRC's past performance. Specifically, DB asserts that one of ASRCs' major subcontractors, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), was found by NASA's inspector general (IG) to have an improper organizational conflict of interest (OCI) in connection with its performance of a prior contract. DB maintains that the agency erred in failing to consider SAIC's performance under that prior contract, and should have downgraded ASRC under the past performance factor based on SAIC's OCI under the prior contract.
This argument is without merit. The agency explains that it did not consider that prior contract in its evaluation of ASRC's past performance because it was not relevant to the current requirement. In this connection, the RFP provided that the past performance evaluation would take into consideration contracts that were for products and services similar to those being solicited. AR, exh. 2, at BATES 261. The agency advises that the contract in question required a small number of SAIC personnel to participate as members of a standing review board overseeing the development of the Orion spacecraft. Contracting Officer's Statement of Facts, at 34. In contrast, the current requirement is for a wide range of information technology support services. We agree with the agency that the contract in question was not relevant to the current requirement; the agency thus properly disregarded it.[6]
Price Evaluation
DB asserts that the agency improperly failed to evaluate the bases of estimates (BOE) used by the awardee in preparing its proposal. In this connection, the protester asserts that the agency was required to examine the BOE for each of the proposed representative task orders (RTO), and to evaluate whether the requirements of the solicitation were adequately addressed. According to DB, ASRC's approach was overly aggressive, and the agency's failure to evaluate the BOEs prevented it from observing this fact.
There is no merit to this argument. While the protester is correct that the agency did not make any separate findings relating to the adequacy of the offerors' BOE documentation, nothing in the RFP provided that the agency would base its evaluation on a discrete review of the firms' BOE documentation. Instead, in evaluating responses to the RTOs, the agency assessed risks against the proposals, and these were identified in the agency's technical evaluation materials as weaknesses.
For example, in evaluating ASRC's proposal for RTO No. 1, the agency originally assessed a weakness for failure to reflect an understanding of the staffing resources required for implementation of the task. Specifically, the agency noted that ASRC had failed to include adequate staffing resources to create customer outreach and communication artifacts, and to perform system engineering and quality assurance efforts; these considerations, according to the agency's original evaluation, created a risk of unsuccessful contract performance. AR, exh. 19, at BATES 3599. This weakness was brought to ASRC's attention during discussions. In response, ASRC increased its proposed staffing for RTO No. 1. AR, exh. 32 at BATES 5340. After evaluating the firm's FPR, the agency eliminated this weakness, finding that, based on the revision to its staffing profile, ASRC's proposal now included the resources necessary to meet the RTO's requirements in a manner consistent with the firm's technical approach, thereby eliminating the risk of unsuccessful performance. AR, exh. 35, at BATES 6209. The record shows that this same process occurred with respect to all of the weaknesses originally identified by the agency in connection with ASRC's responses to the solicitation's RTOs.[7] AR, exh. 35, at BATES 6206-10.
In the final analysis, DB does not identify what, in particular, about either ASRC's proposed approach or its BOE documentation is overly aggressive, or how this allegedly overly aggressive approach somehow was not observed or understood by the agency during its evaluation. DB's nonspecific assertion is insufficient to show that, in fact, there was something fundamentally inadequate in either ASRC's proposed technical solution to the RTOs or in the agency's evaluation of the ASRC proposal, including the underlying BOE documentation.[8]
DB also maintains that the agency failed to evaluate the proposed prices for reasonableness; it claims this analysis would have shown that ASRC's pricing was unreasonable. DB's assertion is misplaced, since ASRC's price was lower than DB's own proposed price; price reasonableness relates to a consideration of whether prices are too high, not whether prices are too low. Global Solutions Network, Inc., B-298682.3, B-298682.4, June 23, 2008, 2008 CPD 131 at 11.[9]
DB asserts that the agency improperly failed to provide it with meaningful discussions in two areas: (1) it failed to advise DB that its price was high in relation to the awardee's, and (2) it failed to discuss four weaknesses identified in its FPR.
Agencies are not required to advise a firm that its prices are considered high unless it concludes that the prices are unreasonably high, such that they would preclude award to the firm. Karrar Sys. Corp., B-310661, B'310661.2, Jan. 3, 2008, 2008 CPD 51 at 3. Here, there is nothing in the record to show, or even suggest, that the agency viewed DB's price as unreasonably high--i.e., so high that award to DB would be precluded. The agency therefore was under no obligation to hold discussions regarding DB's comparatively high price. As for the four new weaknesses, as noted, these weaknesses were identified for the first time in the evaluation of DB's FPR submitted in response to the agency's discussion questions; that is, the agency found that, in responding to its concerns, DB created new weaknesses in its proposal. The agency was under no legal obligation to reopen discussions in order to afford DB an opportunity to address these new weaknesses or deficiencies first introduced in its FPR. See Operational Resource Consultants, Inc., B-299131, B-299131.2, Feb. 16, 2007, 2007 CPD 38 at 12.
DB asserts that the agency evaluated its and ASRC's proposals disparately in two areas: the agency gave ASRC, but not DB, credit for proposing to have an ISO/IEC 20000 certified call center from the outset of contract performance, and also gave ASRC a significant strength under the management approach subfactor for use of a management tool (the ASRC task order management system), while not similarly crediting DB's proposal for a similar tool (the GUEST enterprise management system). We need not consider these aspects of DB's protest since, even if DB's proposal were assigned additional credit, such that it received a rating equivalent to ASRC's, it would remain that ASRC's price was lower than DB's, and that ASRC would remain in line for award. DB thus was not prejudiced by any evaluation error in these areas. Global Solutions Network, Inc., supra, at 10.
The protest is denied.
Lynn H. Gibson
Acting General Counsel
[1] Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act authorizes procurements to be set aside for socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns. 15 U.S.C. sect. 637(a) (2006).
[2] The entire record in this case was sequentially numbered by the agency using a "BATES" numbering system.
[3] The NFS is located at 48 C.F.R. ch. 18.
[4] The adjectival rating scheme and accompanying percentile ranges, as outlined in NFS sect. 1815.305(a)(3), are as follows: excellent (91 to 100 percent); very good (71 to 90 percent); good (51 to 70 percent); fair (31 to 50 percent); and poor (0 to 30 percent).
[5] Prices were expressed in the evaluation results in a number of ways; this chart includes only a single price for each concern, expressed in the evaluation materials as the "Government's Maximum Exposure" price.
[6] We note that, in any case, the agency reviewed its past performance database in the wake of DB's protest, and learned that there was no negative information relating to SAIC as a consequence of the IG finding under the prior contract. Upon further investigation, the agency learned from the cognizant contracting that the IG report had been largely critical of NASA rather than of SAIC, and that the matter did not reflect negatively on SAIC. Contracting Officer's Statement of Facts, at 34.
[7] The record shows that the agency originally identified seven weaknesses in ASRC's proposal under the RTO subfactor. All were eliminated after discussions, but a new weakness was identified in ASRC's FPR. AR, exh. 35, at BATES 6206-6210.
[8] In a related assertion, DB maintains that the agency failed to observe that ASRC increased the staffing in its technical proposal while at the same time decreasing its staffing in its FPR price proposal. The record shows, however, that the changes made by ASRC to its technical and price proposals in terms of staffing were solely for the purpose of aligning the two sections of its proposal and making them internally consistent. Compare, e.g., AR, exh. 32, at BATES 5340 and AR, exh. 33, at BATES 5450. Thus, there is no basis for a finding that ASRC used a different number of staff hours in calculating its price than it did in its technical solution.
[9] In a similar vein, DB asserts that the agency improperly made several corrections to ASRC's price proposal. The record shows that the agency did make several minor corrections to ASRC's prices due to calculational omissions in the electronic spreadsheets ASRC used in preparing its proposal. However, the corrections resulted in an upward adjustment to ASRC's proposed price of $86,089. AR, exh. 35, at BATES 6258. Since the corrections decreased the price differential between the two proposals, DB was not prejudiced by the agency's actions. Global Solutions Network, Inc., supra, at 10.
Dec 3, 2020
HurtVet Subcontracting, LLC
We deny the protest.
IDS International Government Services, LLC
We sustain the protest.
Dec 2, 2020
Federal Conference.com
We deny the protest.
Dec 1, 2020
Tactical Network Corporation
We deny the protest.
Summit Technologies, Inc.
We deny the protest.
Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; CY 2021 Home Health Prospective Payment System Rate Update, Home Health Quality Reporting Program Requirements, and Home Infusion Therapy Services and Supplier Enrollment Requirements; and Home Health Value-Based Purchasing Model Data Submission Requirements
Looking for more? Browse all our products here


text:
We've had a few posts of and relating to Ghostly International in the past couple of weeks but now it's the work of Ghostly high-up Matthew Dear that concerns us directly. The news this time is that he's releasing a new EP, entitled Headcage, which will be come out through Ghostly on January 17. There's also a full-length called Beams on the way. Interestingly enough a track on the EP features a duet with a bloke from The Drums.
In the meantime you can hear and download a track from the EP, which is the title track and was produced by Van Rivers an the Subliminal Kid.
Matthew Dear - Headcage from Ghostly International on Vimeo.
Photo by Kim Erlandsen for NRK P3


text:
As biotechnology changes paradigms in medicine, agriculture, and industrial processes, there is a pressing need for cross-trained individuals capable of developing new innovations and bringing them to market. Biotech U helps you understand the business of biotechnology, how to start and manage biotechnology companies, and how to better service the needs of biotechnology companies.
Biotech U goes beyond simple 'science for non-scientists' or 'mini MBA' offerings, and describes the convergence of scientific, political, regulatory, and commercial factors that drive the biotechnology industry and define its scope.Biotech U is based on the leading business-of-biotechnology text, Building Biotechnology, which has been adopted by more than 50 schools, and is taught by Yali Friedman, Ph.D., chief editor of the Journal of Commercial Biotechnology and a former instructor in biotechnology management at the National Institutes of Health.
The Development of BiotechnologyThe Development of Biotechnology
The Science of BiotechnologyThe Science of Biotechnology
Introduction to Molecular BiologyInformation Flow in Molecular Biology
Drug DevelopmentBiotechnology vs. Pharmaceutical Drug Development
Tools and TechniquesTools and Techniques Overview
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Patents, Regulation, and PolicyPatents, Regulation, and Policy
Intellectual PropertyIntellectual Property Overview
RegulationRegulation Overview
PolicyPolicy Overview
The Business of BiotechnologyThe Business of Biotechnology
Biotechnology Company FundamentalsBiotechnology Company Fundamentals Overview
FinanceFinance Overview
MarketingMarketing Overview
Managing BiotechnologyManaging Biotechnology Overview
Final WordsFinal Words
Customized onsite bootcamps are also available to train your staff.
For more information, Contact Dr. Friedman
This course is based on Building Biotechnology, the leading text on the business of biotechnology. Building Biotechnolgy has been adopted by more than 50 schools, including Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins, the Karolinska Institute, Berkeley, UCSF, and the National Institutes of Health.
Building Biotechnology helps readers understand the business of biotechnology, how to start and manage biotechnology companies, and how to better service the needs of biotechnology companies. This acclaimed book describes the convergence of scientific, political, regulatory, and commercial factors that drive the biotechnology industry and define its scope.
The videos in this course are based on the author's teaching experiences, and follow the chapters in the book. In developing this online course it was desired to do more than simply read through the chapters—the online course adds substantial color to the content of the book.
While the text is not necessary for the course, it can be useful to follow along with the videos, or as a handy reference once you are done with the video lectures.
For more advanced coverage of biotechnology, see the Journal of Commercial Biotechnology.
The Journal of Commercial Biotechnology, in print since 1994, is the definitive international quarterly publication for bioscience business professionals. The Journal is designed specifically for those professionals who need to enhance their knowledge of biotechnology business strategy and management, improve and advance their product development or want to keep up-to-date with current issues and industry trends.
Each issue publishes peer-reviewed, authoritative, cutting-edge articles written by the leading practitioners and researchers in the field, addressing topics such as:
Contact © thinkBiotech LLC 2004 - 2020. All rights reserved.


text:
Brown Announces Heroin Trafficking Ring Shut Down
Yuba County, Calif.–Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that agents from the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement Task Force, Yuba-Sutter Narcotic Enforcement Team (NET-5) arrested three men for heroin trafficking in the Yuba-Sutter area and seized 3.5 pounds of heroin, $32,887 in cash and six weapons.
Agents also arrested three other people who were sub-dealers or otherwise involved in the area's heroin trade. All six suspects are Mexican nationals and have been placed on immigration hold.
"This is the largest heroin seizure ever made in this community,' Attorney General Brown said. 'Yesterday's arrests will significantly impact the availability of hard drugs in the Yuba-Sutter area.'
Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement Task Force agents began the investigation in January 2010 and served three separate search warrants over a three-month period. The warrants were served in the 600 block of North Township Road, Yuba City and the 600 block of King Avenue, Yuba City.
The investigation revealed that Juan Carlos Lopez, Joseph Valdez and Hugo Roberto Rios Martinez were "full time" heroin dealers. Seven days a week from morning to night, the three traffickers sold the heroin, which was produced in either Mexico or South America and delivered to the area through Stockton.
From Lopez's residence, agents seized 6.64 grams of heroin, 1.5 grams of cocaine, adulterant, packaging material, scales, a .38-caliber handgun, a 12-gauge shotgun, a rifle, and $6,199.00 in drug proceeds. From the Valdez residence, agents seized 34.27 grams of heroin, packaging material, 35 Hydrocodone pills, and $1,311.00 in drug proceeds. From the Martinez residence, agents seized 1,554.55 grams of heroin, adulterant, packaging material, scales, 2 handguns, a rifle, and $24,377 in drug proceeds.
The Valdez's 16 year-old daughter, who was at school during the service of the search warrant, was taken into protective custody by Sutter County Child Protective Services. A 10 year-old child was removed from the Martinez home and taken into protective custody.
The Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement Task Force determined the street value of the heroin to be $250,000.
All individuals were booked into the Sutter County Jail for possession for sale of heroin. Martinez and the Valdezes were also charged with child endangerment. None of the six suspects have any known prior criminal record in California.
Located in the Attorney General's office, the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement is the oldest narcotic enforcement bureau in the United States.
Questions regarding this investigation can be directed to Special Agent Supervisor Mike Hudson at (530) 674-2725. Photographs of the seizure and four individuals arrested are attached.


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Your pregnancy and baby guide
Epilepsy and pregnancy
Open all pages about Your pregnancy and baby guide
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- Secrets to success
- Am I pregnant?
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- Early days
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If you have epilepsy you may be nervous about what it means for your pregnancy and baby.
Try not to worry, most women with epilepsy will have a healthy pregnancy and go on to have a healthy baby. But there is a slightly higher risk of having a baby with a birth defect or developmental problem, so it's important to get the right support.
If you find out you're pregnant, don't stop taking your anti-epilepsy medicine until you've spoken with your doctor or specialist.
Planning on getting pregnant
If you're taking anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) and you're planning to get pregnant, you should continue to use contraception and take your medication until you discuss your plans with your GP or neurologist.
This is because your doctor may want to make changes to the dose or type of medicine you are taking, which is best done before you become pregnant.
You should also be offered pre-conception counselling, which will help you understand any risks and plan for a healthy pregnancy and baby.
Effect of pregnancy on your epilepsy
It's difficult to predict how pregnancy will affect epilepsy. For some women their epilepsy is unaffected, while others may see an improvement in their condition.
However, as pregnancy can cause physical and emotional stress, as well as increased tiredness, your seizures may become more frequent and severe. If this happens to you, let your doctor, midwife or epilepsy specialist know.
Risks from epilepsy medicines
Research has shown that there is a slightly increased risk of your child not developing normally if you've taken some types of AED during pregnancy. This may cause problems such as spina bifida, cleft lip, or heart abnormalities.
Some medicines may also give your baby a higher chance of brain development problems, such as a delay in developing speech and language, and problems with memory and attention.
To reduce these risks, talk to your GP or neurologist about your medicines before you get pregnant or if you're planning to get pregnant. They may want to switch you to an alternative treatment. It's usually better to make any changes to your medication before rather than during pregnancy.
If you get pregnant while you're taking an AED, continue to take it and contact your GP or specialist immediately to discuss your treatment.
Don't alter your treatment or stop taking your medication without specialist advice, especially during pregnancy. This is because a severe seizure in pregnancy could result in harm or injury to you or your baby.
Sodium valproate
The risk of harm to your baby is higher with certain AEDs, such as sodium valproate, than with others.
If you're taking sodium valproate and are planning to get pregnant or find out that you are pregnant, don't stop taking your medication. See your GP or neurologist immediately to discuss your increased risk and whether this is still the best treatment for you.
Women and girls who are able to get pregnant must not be given sodium valproate unless they have enrolled in a "pregnancy prevention programme". This is designed to make sure they understand:
- the risks of taking sodium valproate in pregnancy
- the need to use effective contraception to prevent pregnancy
As part of a pregnancy prevention programme, you'll need to:
- see your consultant at least once a year to discuss your treatment
- discuss the risks of sodium valproate and the importance of avoiding pregnancy
- sign a form stating you understand the risks to your unborn baby if you take sodium valproate, and agree to use effective contraception throughout your treatment
Your doctor may refer you to contraception services.
Your doctor will give you an information leaflet to explain more about the risks and how to avoid them. Keep this information in case you need to refer to it again.
Read more about the risks of taking sodium valproate in pregnancy.
Folic acid
If you're taking medication to control your epilepsy, you will need to take 5 milligram (5mg) of folic acid once a day as soon as you start trying for a baby.
This will need to be prescribed for you, usually by your GP, as it is a higher dose than normal.
If you become pregnant unexpectedly and haven't been taking folic acid, make an appointment with your GP and start taking it straight away. You can buy the lower dose 400 microgram tablets from a pharmacy before you get a prescription for the 5mg tablets.
Talk to your GP or pharmacist if you need any advice.
Your care during pregnancy
Before you become pregnant, or as early in your pregnancy as possible, you'll be referred to an obstetrician, who will discuss and plan your care during pregnancy. If necessary, a neurologist may also be involved in putting this plan together.
You'll be offered the same ultrasound scans as all pregnant women to help detect any developmental problems in your baby. But you will usually need to visit the clinic more often than other pregnant women. You may need extra scans or blood tests, to check the level of anti-epileptic medication in your blood, depending on which AEDs you take.
You may be worried about your baby inheriting your epilepsy. You can talk to your care team about this and any other concerns you have.
Labour, birth and beyond
Depending on your risk of having a seizure during labour your doctors will usually recommend that you give birth in a consultant-led maternity unit in hospital.
See where can I give birth? for more information about giving birth in hospital.
During labour you'll be looked after by a midwife, and doctors will be available if you need their help. You should bring your epilepsy medicine with you to the hospital and continue to take it as you normally would.
Read about what happens in labour.
If you are taking certain kinds of AED, you'll be offered a vitamin K injection for your baby soon after birth to help their blood to clot.
There's usually no reason why you can't breastfeed your baby. Even if some of your medication gets into your milk, the benefits of breastfeeding often outweigh any risks. Your midwife, obstetrician or pharmacist can give you advice based on your circumstances.
The UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register
This nationwide project is investigating which epilepsy treatments pose the lowest risk to a baby's health. Any pregnant women with epilepsy can join the UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register.
When you register, you'll be asked to provide information about the treatment you're taking. Information about the health of your baby will be collected after your baby is born. This helps doctors give the best advice to women who are thinking of getting pregnant.
Page last reviewed: 04/10/2019
Next review due: 04/10/2022


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Belliard back…as is Ausmus
Slowly but surely, many pieces of last year's team are coming back into the fold, as we just signed Ronnie Belliard for 2010. More to come soon, but wanted to let you all know as soon as it became official.
UPDATE: Ausmus back, too, to serve as Russell's backup (and mentor as he did last year)
161 Comments
That's good news, Josh.
In related news, Blake Dewitt visits team psychologist…
Hey ITD.
It's good to see Belliard back, it shows the Dodgers really know a lot of where their success came from last year. Belly did a good job of replacing O Dog (although I'll miss Hudson).
I see Loretta got a front office job with the Padres, man he sure changed his coat fast.
I just hope this doesn't take too much playing time from homegrown DeWitt.
And so Blake DeWitt gets threaded metal fastenered again.
Belliard as a reserve is OK, but don't expect the kind of numbers he put up last September.
Ausmus – whatever. Can't get thrilled over a reserve catcher, let alone one that's long in the tooth, but so much for giving Ellis and May a shot.
LOL Scott!!!!!
Thus starts the new promotion…..All shirtless fat guys in the pavilion, with a red #3 painted on their belly get free Dodger dogs
Good afternoon everyone! Long time no see! Life has been good, but busy. I hope you all are doing well! I did like Belly and VP and what they brought to the team. Hopefully they can do it during a full season for us!
Belly is back! Portate bien Belly!
Hey Mike! good to read you again!
Ausmus is back too!
Welcome back, Perumike!
My select a seat appointment is Thursday. I am looking to make a lateral movement, two seats to the right. Hopefully they are available this time. The thing is appt is at 12:30.
If you want, check out my list of Brooklyn Dodger players alive. There are 63. I am not done with the notes column but I decided to put it there and updated afterwards. I nned to do some real work.
Garland signs with the Padres??
Another good signing. I'd like to see DeWitt play well enough to start with Carrol and Belliard coming off the bench. Actually what I'd really like to see is Hudson coming back, but since that is not going to happen, maybe DeWitt will get a real shot.
I think Belliard will be a reasonable RH pinch-hitter, possibly better than what we've had the last couple of years. I'm not so much worried about DeWitt's playing chances. If he can show that he can hit major league pitching at a .260 plus clip, I think he'll get plenty of time. If he can't do that much, he doesn't belong up here anyway. While second base seems to be the obvious question, I'm not at all sold that the other Blake will do much for us at third this season even if he stays healthy. I wasn't impressed toward the end of the season with his limited contribution, so I can foresee a lot of playing time at third for somebody, much less trying to contribute what Hudson did for us at second base.
I'm totally confused now. Why did we give Jamey Carroll a two year deal??!! And how is Carroll worthy of more money than Belliard? I feel so bad for DeWitt. This is why its so hard to get attached to young players these days.
This from Dylan Hernandez
"The Dodgers are among the teams that will watch Noah Lowry work out in Arizona next Tuesday, but aren't expected to be serious bidders"
This from Dylan Hernandez
"The Dodgers are among the teams that will watch Noah Lowry work out in Arizona next Tuesday, but aren't expected to be serious bidders"
By crzblue2 on January 26, 2010 3:40 PM
Thanks Emma, but you left out some more interesting info:
"They were also in the room, watching as Ben Sheets signed his contract with the A's."
"They are expected to make an offer to Jon Garland, but are waiting until he signs a deal with the Padres before actually making it."
"They are, however, serious players in pursuit of Mark Hendrickson, Shawn Estes, Eric Milton, Brett Tomko and Jason Schmidt."
Whatever It Takes To Get You To Sell The Team, Frank
Um, exciting?
I hate that I can't watch youtube videos at work. No music, no videos. Ugh!
I wonder how much is Garland getting from the Padres.
i like the Ausmus deal but option for 2011? Lucas May shoudl be ready by then. Ausmus can manage in the minor league.
I hope Garland signs with the Padres. Good for him. He deserves better treatment than what he got here. I don't recall, but who did we give up for him?
I think it was Tony Abreu
You are right Dodger4life!! I thought it was somebody we shouldn't have unless we were planning on a more definite plan for Garland. Well, that was a waste then – geez!!!
As I was trying to point out a number of times last year, our management purposely wanted to get rid of Abreu, because his handling was an embarrassment to the organization. They screwed him up with his medical condition, so that he required a second surgery, and Ned made sure that he was on the minor league roster rather than with the major league club when it was done. That was a question of money. Then Abreu challenged the Dodgers officially over that handling and was awarded a special consideration whereby he would have been eligible for arbitration this year. The question of money comes up again. It was easier to just give him away than to have him around, and I expect that there was no love lost on Tony's part for Ned at this point. I always liked Abreu, and I hope he does well wherever he gets to play. His situation just reminds me of the incompetence of Conte and Ned even when millions of dollars are not involved.
Just as an afterthought for that, Ned:
EAT ??das!!!
At least Ausmus has shown that he can catch the knuckleball, and I thought that Haeger showed some promise in a couple of his outings last season. I'd like to see him in the fight for #5.
In an effort to type something positive, I will say that it seems like the Dodgers did not overpay for Belliard (Carroll is a different story…darn, that's negative) and I'm not opposed to Ausmus coming back although there might have been more cost-effective options, but it is nice having a backup with familiarity with the staff.
Back to my normal What-the-heck-is-going-on-here…once again, I have yet to see the moves that Josh mentioned that were going to excite the fans. Am I missing something here?
Great post @ 4:00 Eric. The video was spot on.
I wonder if Frank will ever get us our "Precious" we would like to have. In the last year I'm now thinking no.
I backed him and debated with others on here because I felt he deserved a chance. But in the last year & 1/2 my mind has changed. Of course his marriage troubles haven't helped the situation which is also on Jamie.
It just seems that once again the plan isn't really there. I'm ok with Carroll or Belly but both?
We didn't have enough pitching last year and we've lost what we had. Just because Bills & Kersh are a year older doesn't mean they will automatically be better. If we didn't make it to the World Series last year due to pitching & our pitching is worse off this year then how should our expectations be going into the year.
I'm okay with getting the back up catcher, a #4 or 5 pitcher, and a utility player signed if they also got a Lackey or another pitcher through a trade.
I'm also way ok with trading Juan.
& I'm okay with not getting Sheets. The dude hasn't pitched for a year. He is often injured. The Blue has spent/wasted enough $$$ watching pitchers stand around icing their arms/shoulders the last few years. I think if Ned had signed Sheets & he was injured Ned would be pounded for the signing.
I still would be happy with Smoltz. Or C.M. Wang. Smoltz more as a mentor to the young staff & I think Wang is still young enough to recover & he did have a couple of 19 win seasons in the AL East. I think he could be had on the cheap due to his injury. I don't hear any rumors about him going to anybody else so why not kick those tires?
Of course as Eric said we'll hear after he's signed by another team that Ned was just trying to reach him.
I seem to recall a similar story with CC & Hunter. & they both later denied calls were ever made to them or their agents.
So yes it would be nice if Frank sold the team.
Everything said by Dodgereric, Messagebear and Collie is right on!!!!!
This isn't being negative…just factual.
We had Maddux, and now we think about Smoltz, and they have merit as far their influence on the young arms and maybe more so their minds. What seems missing to me in those considerations is what Honeycutt does or should be doing to influence those same guys and minds. I know that the stats produced by our pitching staffs have actually been better than one would suspect from our comments that are read here, but isn't it Honeycutt's job to do and oversee a lot of that development? What do you think his value has been in the last couple of years?
Do you think Honeycutt helped Billingsley and Kershaw? When Billz lost it…Honeycutt never found it.
I'm not real big on signing guys because they may be good mentors. Just because a guy is an old veteran does not mean he will be a good mentor. For every Maddux there is a Kent or a Gonzalez. Let the coaches do the teaching and the players do the playing.
Emma I forgot to say hello, that goes out to everyone else as wel….
I am not against Belliard, he has some power, in fact put bullseye's on them guy's instead of 3's….Blake and Furcal are not youngsters and having plenty of options is good.
Seems like a waste, with Garland… I do remember wanting another arm at the time though. Padilla was a mystery at that point. Very good points from everyone today.
Peru good to see you back!
Once again Eric, you are one of a kind…..an enjoyable kind also.
I think we are set to start the season unless Pedro, becomes available, and is a bargain.
Plenty of good youngsters and the front four can get the job done.
I like Ausmus, and don't have a problem with him being around.
It's time to work on the dream….I BELIEVE!!!
Parade of PVLs = Joe Torre comfort zone
If Belliard's contract calls for a weight clause of 209 lbs. at the start of Spring Training or it can be voided, then I think Frank McCourt should have to show up at Spring Training with at least $40,000 CASH in his bank account or he is voided right out of town. That's CASH, not leveraged loans!
NED'S DONE IT!!! – put together basically the same team that ended last year losing to Philly (well except the pitching staff is weaker, but who's counting!!??) Kudo's my friend. In a world gone mad where good teams (some say even maniacally) try to get even better, you sir have managed to tread water, and dare I say it, even managed to gain more parity with the rest of the league despite having some of the premiere young guns in the game. My hat's off and my finger, I mean my thumb's, up!!
And that goes double for Frank since I have two hands.
Bear — I'm okay with Honeycutt. I think the staff has been pretty good, but not deep enough and very young. I think he's done a decent job.
But IMO sometimes having a coach is great but having players who have been there and been there successfully & fairly recently can really help. Smoltz was a successful starter & closer so he could help Brox & the starters as well. We could even get a few innings from him. Maybe… But I would think he's worth the risk.
CY – I agree, except for not with Smoltz. He is nothing like Kent or Gonzo. Also there is a difference between a mentor and a coach. Sometimes their lines cross & sometimes they don't. I think Smoltz would be great for the staff as a leader. He's not a bad PVL he's a good one. Everywhere he's been he has had a good influence on the other players. For most of his career he has had one of the best pitching coaches in all of baseball. I think when he retires he wants to be a coach. I think he would be a great addition. If he doesn't last the season then you have the Elberts & Lindblom's in the minors getting the experience they need & can come up during the season.
I didn't & don't feel that way about guys like Estes, etc… Smoltz to me is in a way different level & would be an asset.
From the last thread: my choice would be (A) as the lesser of three evils. I would, however, much prefer (D) Mark Cuban, who has the bucks, brains, and balls to rescue this team before the economicallychallengedethicallysuspectcorrupterofahallowedfranchise sends this club over a cliff. If there are any Lithuanian waifs within webshot, I sincerely apologize for the use of the term"balls"….I have no problem with the signings of Belliard and Ausmus. This is the time during the Hot Stove season when you should be making these kinds of signings. The rub is that management is spinning these transactions as impact signings. So what we've got here is essentially the same ballclub with, minus Wolf, a weakened starting staff. If you stand still, generally, you fall behind. Nothing like bringing us back to the pack in the NL West….a couple of programming notes: MLBTV will have it's Top 50 minor league prospects show tomorrow night. Any bets on how many of our guys will be on it? The Caribbean Series broadcasts start on February 2. Who doesn't need a live baseball fix???
I think it is time for someone to have the heart of a Dodger…….Someone who can go against the grain and command respect for doing so…..we need some fight….We need a leader to step up on this ball club…….We need to get back to the likes of Pee Wee, and Tommy at the end of the dug out in is playing day's. Frank can coin the term ( as only a politician can) but to live the life….to truly live the life….It takes leadership from within and some moxie…..This ball club is so fortunate to have the likes of the great ones that came before them….none better or more deserving than #42.
Personally I am tired of talking about Frank…..( doesn't mean I will stop….Just that if a tree falls in the forest….I like it when no-one can hear it.)
These players who make the big league team in 2010, will have the undeniable pleasure of being linked to those greats through Vinny….and they should count their blessing in doing so…..
The man can sing the song……and boy can he sing the song
But without the orchestra…..it just aint the same……..
Make this season sting!!!
I'm all for mentors if they can still be fully productive as players. How much would Smoltz cost and how much does he have left in the tank?….. The only way you can really judge Honeycutt's performance is by the stats. Imagine what we would be saying if the numbers were worse??
I respect the fact that people here feel Smoltz can help because he has been quite a pitcher for a number a years. However, I have a hard time overlooking his performance in Boston last year even though he seemed to rebound in St. Louis. I admit he could be a good influence, but who really knows? He spent all of his career in ATL, so its kind of hard to say. However, a low risk contract loaded with performance incentives would make sense, but I really don't think he would go for that anyway, so it's probably a moot point.
So I was watching this again because I was telling a Brooklynite that hates the Dodgers about it. The video still made me cry.
Cy it is great to see your comments on here…..I do enjoy them…..As do I all the comments…keepin the conversation alive…..Thats a good thing….:-) Thanks!!!
Thanks Dodger4life. I enjoy contributing when I can, but I really enjoy reading all of the banter as well. It is always entertaining to read the comments.
I don't have much to add to tonight's conversation, but I just wanted to say it has been wonderful reading all the great comments tonight.
Emma, I have that in my fav's….and it was a very heart warming jester….now don't get me wrong….I want the best for Frank and Jamie….I do….But until they want the best for themselves, and those around them….I will be at a loss…… I have walked the road that those two are walking….to a point. I made my choices along the way, some good, some not so good. The good ones , never haunt me….they give me strength…..The not so good ones leave me asking for something more…….I had the pleasure of shaking Franks hand and thanking him for bringing Joe Pierre out to L.A. and I will always cherish that moment….It was a good one…..One that still bears truth, Honesty is a good policy, it doesn't always get you what you want….but sometimes what we a want isn't always whats best.
I don't know that made much sense….but those are my feelings…..
You make perfect sense! Don't get me wrong on my reasons for posting about the ITD tour. It was just me remembering. I know I cannot change how Brooklyn fans feel about the Dodgers leaving Brooklyn. I wanted to share that with them just to see if they had seen it before.
Mentoring by Brad Ausmus…
1. Cut down on your stolen bases & runs scored by 30%
2. Be medicore at best with your arm behind the plate
3. Don't block pitches anymore
4. Cut homeruns in half
5. lower your OBP by 30 points
6. RBI's must be cut by 20 or more
7. OPS -150 from year before with runners on base
By 2011 Martin should be playing like Brad Ausmus.
Jungar…as lacksadaisical as Martin seemed at times…..In the end he had some moxie…..I'm all for the clean living….props to the Captain…..But when he was fighting mad….he was better…..Adversity has a way of doing that!!! L.A. is a special place, there is no other like it, trying to balance the good off the field….(and we all know the perks that come from playing the Ravine… I'm not just talking about the glitz and glamour but the good natured lifestyle in general) with the fight it takes to keep your edge on the field. Ausmus wasn't the cause of Martins, problems…..I look for Martin to be in better balance this season….We've all experienced the growing pains…..Russ seen what happens when you lose focus….He will be ready…Will he be the leader we so desperately seek…We shall find out…..I'm on Martins side though…..
It's time to Rock…..
Jungar – Good points. Mentoring from Ausmus may be fine, but please don't turn into Ausmus!
Other than getting contracts for the young players out of the way and avoiding hearings(and I am pretty excited about that, eventhough unless we have a change of ownership, is probably just prolonging their eventual departure), I don't see anything real exciting that I am saying "Wow!" about. All of these acquisitions thus far have been okay, and perhaps needed, but all of us on here know we needed more substantial pitching. As always, I am hoping it all works out, but through the discussions and the comments read last night, our team isn't any different than last year, and pitching seems to be a little worse off. The only difference is a year more experience. Will experience be enough? I guess we have to wait and see, and maybe there will still be that "Wow!!" moment. LOL!!!
Good morning, ITD'ers!
Your assesment is right on, nelly. Which makes me think that the big unknown for this season is potential injuries and which Manny we will get on the field. Will it be the guy we saw in 2008 or will he be sitting out 100 games and/or returning to the late 2009 form. I'm assuming that he's now off steroids or adjunctive meds, but I also think that he's been a career roider like some of the other guys of his generation and therefore we'll get pretty much what we saw toward the end of last season. If that is the case, I'm realistically looking to finish about third in the division, and that will lay to rest Frank's claim to our playoff record. Hope I don't turn out to be right on this one, but then I'm also rooting for Jamie to maintain ownership in the team, so that they have to
For the record I am fine with Ausmus, I was mostly joking..I am sure Ausmus is a great guy to have a around in all seriousness. Martin (right or wrong) wants to play everyday. We should let the other young catchers in our system continue to play every day. 1 game outta 7 is fine with me on Brad is fine. More might be needed due to martin and that's another argument. This is is put up or be gone year for Martin and Loney to me and I don't mean that meanly..I just mean maybe we should consider getting league avg at 1b and at catcher Martin the bad version is still a better hitter than most Catchers but his defense pisses me off and i value defense. Otherwise Furcal could go too. How soon until we pull his leadoff plug is gonna be my hot issue. I hope we never have to cause when he is on he is great. But in 4 years he has had 2 years below his own avg's, 1 awesome freaking year and one year he played 36 games and had back surgery, he had 45 steals the last three seasons and 37 the first year with us and 46 the last year as a Brave. His lack of speed now hurts his hitting as much as the stolen base. I am confident in everything else. SP included but did wish we had gotten a better guy than Kershaw or Bills but that's just wishful thinking and logic says there wasn't something worth it for us or something we were able to do..but there is still time…
JOSH…what is up with the MATT KEMP rumors regarding the RAPE ALLEGATIONS? Are they rumors? I knew Rihanna was problems.
MsDR- I hadn't heard about that with Kemp so I googled it and found the below article.
It doesn't talk of rape.
How ironic that noodle arm and fatty are both on the White Sox now…….
Maybe they'll sign Schmidt…
Hi ITD.
It good that Ausmus decided not to retire, we can still use his help.
Hello ITD!
Hello Joe Pierre! I don't remember , but did you share with us how you became a Brooklyn Dodger fan? .
How is your 11 year old daughter?
Good evening all………..
Emma, all three of my daughters are doing very well…..thanks for asking.
Oldbrooklynfan and Jungar, it is good to see you two again…
You too Rose 🙂
Dating Rhianna shines a bright spotlight on Matt Kemp, but honestly, so does playing for the storied Dodgers Baseball Club, and so does playing in the Entertainment Capital of the World. So does playing for an owner(s) who went from carpetbaggers to power couple to community philanthropists to splitsville TMZ magnets.
Thus is the nature of the celebrity-starved nation: Find bright young star. Place on pedestal. Knock down off of pedestal. Be sure cameras roll to watch the fall. Wait 'til they get back up, get the cameras rolling again, and get everyone enthralled by their "comeback story". Lather, Rinse, Repeat.
It happened to Kemp, it'll probably happen to Andre, Kershaw, and whoever else the Yellow Journalist Jackals think will make a good story.
Did Kemp have a restraining order in the past? Yes. We all have stuff in our past we grew out of. And by nature of him choosing to date Rhianna, it shows that he is sensitive to the nature of domestic violence, which shows growth from the person he might have been when he had the restraining order in the past.
Nobody on this blog has done it, but I'm kind of tired of people around the net (mainly women) saying that this story coming out is a biproduct of Kemp's dating Rhianna, as if she asked for what she got from Chris Brown. Like because Kemp's dating her, before you know it, he'll be doing the same without even thinking about it…
Looking at the radar and seeing the stuff going on in the world, with Haiti's situation, the situation with our own country, and everything going on with the economy, you'd think one day people would get wise to the media's trickery by means of distraction, their old bait and switch. Their message is clear:
Look at Tiger, not Wall Street.
Look at Kemp and Conan/Leno, not Haiti
I support Kemp dating Rhianna, not like he needs my permission. I hope him and Nick Cannon have cigars and champagne in Hefner robes reminiscing about landing their dream women. Nothing but happiness for all of them.
That goes for Jamie and the Doughboy too
OMG!!! Dodgereric – you really need to get a copy of this HBO special on #48. It is amazing, and this is only part 1 of 4.
Fabulous post Northstateblues!!!! Always the voice of reason I must say 🙂
I agree with Nellyjune, Northstateblues! Always fantastic!!!
Good morning all! HOPE Y'ALL having a wonderful DRE!
COLLIETHEC thanks for the web link. I heard it on the radio and just came to ITD to see what's up.
Well it seems that we are not getting a STAR PITCHER but I will be praying for our YOUNG ONES to step up. I have faith on them…THEY CAN DEWITT! KERSH…you da man and lets go for +14 K this year! I have a feeling someone slapped some sense on MARTIN and he will be back strong! I hope KEMP can remain focus on the game (he has a big distraction)…ANDRE ETHIER will step up to the plate and will hear the crowd chant "ETHIER ETHIER ETHIER" and this year it will not be "MANNY MANNY MANNY"! Manny, what will become of him. He still GOT IT and will quietly rise back up again. LONEY will keep playing hard…he is one the most dedicated players I know….LOVE MY BOYS IN BLUE! 2010 WILL BE 'D' YEAR FOR DODGERS! WOOOOHOOOOO LET'S GO DODGERS!
NSBlues…that was a great post. It sucks that KEMP did what he did, and his skeletons will come out. Hey none of the players are perfect. Rihanna is a beautiful girl and I hope that she moves on from the whole Chris Brown thing, wish her the best. But each time I see Rihanna perform or a picture of her…I see sadness in her eyes. I feel that Rihanna is just a victim of the money hungry agents, producers, managers and all the Entourage that works for her…excuse me ….that she works for. And those people are the PROBLEMS. She is just a trapped puppet. And I just hope KEMP & Rihanna can keep their lives private. But it will not happen that way. Her greedy Entourage & the media will not allow it. And I just hope that KEMP is strong enough and remains focus on the game.
I know these are just minor league signings, but it seems to me we're inviting just too many to Spring Training to get any complete evaluation of anybody. That's especially true since once again we're sending a split squad to Taiwan and Joe's eyes will again be away from the main camp. He's asleep most of the time anyway, or do they call that semi-retired.
I think the term Josh used was "excited"
That was supposed to come after Tru's "wow" comment…wierd how the times are all screwed up.
Now, doesn't that make you say, "wow"!
Cy ~ you are right….we are supposed to be "excited" 🙂
I'm wondering how long it will be before you and Bear explode, Enchanted?!
That was for dodging the Jim Edmonds bullet and stepping right in the way of a Timo Perez shot. Our Savior, how many guano-y players is Ned trying to amass?? I thought Koronka played for the Dolphins in the 70's with Bob Griese and Mercury Morris (well he might as well have!) UN-MAKIN'BACON-BELIEVABLE!!!
But if Bear can maintain his composure, so can I. 🙂
Yay, love this freakin' time warp!
I'm torn between images of this:
…….and the most apropos line from Monty Python's Holy Grail, "Dennis (Mannion), there's some lovely filth down here…."
What I'm really scared about is that we may already have a Jim Edmonds on our ballclub, and his name is Manny.
SELL THE TEAM, you bifurcated ownership!
Wow, bear! You sent me scrambling to my dictionary with that one! LOL!!
We's was all scrambling on that one!!!
I personally feel more edumacated now.
I'm wondering how long it will be before you and Bear explode, Enchanted?!
By trublu4ever on January 28, 2010 2:21 PM
There's a storm abrewin' Tru…
I'm beginning to hear thunder and lightning, Enchanted 🙂
Boo-hoo, we won't be able to sign Edmonds….the Brewers got him.
It's kind of sad when the ESPN Insider says besides the Padres, who are still re-building, we did the least to improve in the off-season. And, the Front Office wonders why we are upset!
But remember Tru, we're getting more concession stands because, darn it, that's where the money is.
Maybe my expression needs to change from WOW to HOTDOG!!
I think HOTDOG AND WOW will be changed real soon!
YIPPEE, more concession stands!
Yippee!! Lot's of great comments gang!! Two and a half weeks and we can light this candle!!! So far, so good, we haven't set the baseball world on fire, but we haven't done any knee jerk serious damage. I'm OK with what we've got under the circumstances and ready to play baseball. It's been a long winter for all of us and it is starting to show in the posts. We need to get on the field. Josh, Thanks to you especially for all you do and the Dodgers for giving us this forum!!!! Excelsior True Believers!!!!!
Hot-f*cking-Dog Trumom!!! LOL!!! That is meant in a totally positive connotation as I am very excited about our Dodgers in 2010!!! And maybe it gets Bear and Beav off the hook?!!!! LMTO!!!!
Hey Jhall!!! How are you doing my friend? It's good seeing you so positive. If you think back, we had our doubts at the beginning of last season, and they came out with a 13 game win streak, and anything can happen this season as well.
Hey Nelly!! So true and great point!! It's all good mon amie!!!! I'm doing well, how about you? Thanks!!!
Gotta rack it for the night my friends!! Hope you all have a great night and a better tomorrow!!! I believe our Dodgers can get it done. Win or lose, I'm 110% on board!!!
Caveat!! 110% with the young core players!!! 0% with Frank and Jamie!!!! Goodnight!!!!
Good Night Jhall!! I am doing good as well. Take Care and God Bless :))
20 Days until pitchers and catchers report……
Daytona in 16 Days 🙂
Hello ITD!
Yippee 20 days till P&C report! thanks for the update Dnelly!
Went to select a seat today. The seats next to me were not available so I roam around the stadium taking more pictures and just taking the beautiful view from there. Ran into Ben Platts from MLB as I was going up the escalator. I told him "I LOVE this place!" He said "I know!" LOL. I had a Dodger Dog, chips, soda and some peanuts. I went to the dugout level and took more pictures from there. I was looking for a particular name on the wall of players names but still I could not find it.
Did not know you have three girls! I was reading this blog from a year ago in January when I posted that and saw that you said in there "I am making cookies with my 10 year old daughter."
Have a happy Friday you all!
Ward Dear – Not that you probably don't already know, but you can watch Jimmie Johnson's HBO special on NASCAR.com.
Wonder how Ned let Loretta get away.
What a shame, *********!
Whatever Bear said goes double for me!!
I see we're supposed to be pursuing Wang (which if its like we pursued Halladay means nothing, but I digress…) Are we looking at him as a starter (long Wang) or a reliever (short Wang)? Either way Ned'll probably end up getting threaded metal fastenered.
I have come on here twice today to see how's it going, and each time I have LMDO!!! However, I have a feeling Messagebear is still holding back some – LOL!!!
A short Wang is better than no Wang at all 🙂
C'mon, we gotta get this guy…………
"Well Steve, Wang looks a little tired…."
"Looks like Joe's going to take Wang out….."
"Looks like Joe's going to leave Wang in……."
I know, I know, language. But turn on Comedy Central or MTV any time day or night. Basic cable channels.
Hey! No time warp! Haven't had one of those in a while.
…….and yes, Junie. I watched Jimmie 24/7 last night on NASCAR.com. Just about the same time you made your entry about it. Pretty cool that you can watch a whole 1/2 hour show.
Hi tru! Gotta head for the barn, the little lady wants to go to dinner! See ya!
I am glad you get to watch it Eric. It looks like it's going to be a great 4-week series. Have a great time with Chris!!!
"A short Wang is better than no Wang at all :)" that's what trublu said.
Frank thought so too, but maybe Jamie didn't agree.
LMDO, Dodgereric!!!
I suppose Wang will be ecstatic when he gets a contract signed, so that brings me to the question: Would you rather have a happy Wang or a Randy Johnson?
LOL, Bear and Enchanted!!!!
Chien-Ming Wang???? Holy Jason Schmidt. This guy just had his shoulder cut on is out until at least MAY, whatever that means. Guess that meansw he can put on his socks starting then.
Headline: Sore Wang plagues both Ned and Frank…
Hello ITDers!
I reported the time warp to Mark who runs the whole mlb blog sphere. It happened to me yesterdayo when I responded to a poster and I was the first post and he the second one.
I am surprised that John has not added a new post about the USC UCLA game in February at Dodger Stadium.
OML Kahli! LMUDO!
Hey Wally my brother!! How's things in the great midwest?
I'll try and catch up with y'alls later tonight.
Jhall ~ great to see you. I would love to see some of our young pitchers get a shot. To me, it's better than some washed up has-been. However, I don't know if Joe likes the youngsters.
Hi'Ya Beav!! Cold right now, but only a few weeks till spring. Thanks my friend/brother!!!! How are things in your neck of the woods?
HotDog….I'm in a time warp again!!!!
Hello gang!! I guess our starting rotation is Kersh, Billz, Kuroda, Padilla, and ______!!! I think we have some good prospects in Elbert, McDonald, etc…. My point is, I would like to see the Dodgers concentrate on developing pitchers. It is obvious that starting pitching (along with defense) wins championships. Since we seem to be under some cost constraints and can't buy top notch pitching, we should strive to develope our own. I'm not very confident in Honeycutt as we speak. Should have offered Wolf arbitration.
Hey Jhall!!!
Great stuff Kahli and enchanted!!! LMDO!!!
I saw Gurnick comment about Garret "No Hustle" Anderson. Josh is probably hoping and praying the Dodgers don't sign him, "I said something exciting, not something excruciating!" Holy crud (PG), if that were to happen, I'd really blow a gasket!
Sorry, it way Heyman, not Gurnick…
Any good??
Good evening all?..
When I was a kid, we had this Rodeo Arena next to my parent?s house
( just above bull riding, you?ll see the backdrop where we would call the game)
I called it Big D Park?..because if the batter hit it over second, it was a Home Run!!
It was fun for batting practice, it was like PierreVille!!
During the Rodeo we would get some of the Rodeo Cowboy?s up to the school?.. You talk about fight?in.
These guys had spirit, and beer, and they always wanted to wager the outcome!
Needless to say we would get 9 kids and 9 cowboys, and have ourselves a game. Now in a town of 150, getting 9 kids is a task?. so lets just picture the Bad News Bears on Steroids?.These Cowboys would show up with plenty of beer, and plenty of attitude?..and they didn?t run to good in them boot?s?so they slide like they were dismounting the horse in calf roping event. Tough game for a bunch of youngsters.
But we kept plugging along and them cowboy?s kept plugging
We had a late game Rally, and won the wager?.Now how do a bunch of kids collect from a bunch of guys that showed up to raise Cain you ask?..I suppose cause we were just like them a bunch of tough kids??There were theatrics, but they paid us?..heck we needed money for the dance.
And that was like getting tickets to the to the show!!
When I was a kid, we had this Rodeo Arena next to my parent?s house
( just above bull riding, you?ll see the backdrop where we would call the game)
I called it Big D Park?..because if the batter hit it over second, it was a Home Run!!
It was fun for batting practice, it was like PierreVille!!
During the Rodeo we would get some of the Rodeo Cowboy?s up to the school?.. You talk about fight?in.
These guys had spirit, and beer, and they always wanted to wager the outcome!
Needless to say we would get 9 kids and 9 cowboys, and have ourselves a game. Now in a town of 150, getting 9 kids is a task?. so lets just picture the Bad News Bears on Steroids?.These Cowboys would show up with plenty of beer, and plenty of attitude?..and they didn?t run to good in them boot?s?so they slide like they were dismounting the horse in calf roping event. Tough game for a bunch of youngsters.
But we kept plugging along and them cowboy?s kept plugging
We had a late game Rally, and won the wager?.Now how do a bunch of kids collect from a bunch of guys that showed up to raise Cain you ask?..I suppose cause we were just like them a bunch of tough kids??There were theatrics, but they paid us?..heck we needed money for the dance.
And that was like getting tickets to the to the show!!
Good Morning ITD readers and writers!!!! Fabulous stuff last night Dodger4life!!
Option B is right up Frank and Ned's alley.
Frank can reunite with his Red Sox idols, and he probably won't have to pay them a dime for the rest of the season.
How much better can it get, and why wait until 2011, if you can snooker that Boston team into that deal right now.
Hark! Is that light at the end of the tunnel?…
Thursday, January 28, 2010 (Updated: January 29, 1:49 PM ET)
Dodgers' talent high at lower levels
By Tony Jackson
[Excerpts from the article:]
There was a time, and it wasn't that long ago, when the stockpile of talent in the Dodgers' minor league system was enough to induce foaming at the mouth among scouts from other teams and so-called experts from media outlets that chronicled such things. There was also a time, and it was right around the same period, when the only thing foaming at Dodger Stadium were the beer taps because the big league club with the storied past and promising future didn't seem to have much of a present.
So now that most of those prospects have blossomed into full-fledged major leaguers, now that the Dodgers have reached the playoffs four times in the past six seasons and knocked on the door of the World Series in each of the past two, there is a widespread perception that the minor league cupboard has gone bare, at least on the upper shelves.
But is that perception accurate?
. . .
Dodgers assistant general manager Logan White, who oversees amateur scouting, said he believes that the talent at the team's lower levels runs so deep that the Dodgers' system might be as strong as a whole as it has been at any time since his arrival in 2002.
"To me, it doesn't make a lot of sense to knock us down just because a lot of the talent in our system isn't at the upper echelons yet," White said. "I think after next year, the competition within our organization is going to be really fierce, especially in terms of pitching. There are going to be some really good guys who don't make our staff."
The Dodgers are holding a mini-camp at their spring-training facility in Glendale, Ariz., this week for several of their most coveted prospects, most of whom haven't made it to Double-A yet. After watching all those pitching prospects throw from a mound, White rattled off a list of six guys — 2008 first-round draft pick Ethan Martin, 2007 first-rounder Chris Withrow, 2009 first-round sandwich pick Aaron Miller, converted catcher and recent 40-man roster addition Kenley Jansen and Dominican Republic natives Carlos Frias and Rubby De La Rosa — who all throw at least 95 mph.
"We actually have 15 guys who are 95-plus with good deliveries and mechanics," White said. "Now, I know how attrition works, and all 15 of them aren't going to pitch in the big leagues. But I guarantee you that five or six of them are all going to be ready in the next couple of years to push each other for jobs. When that happens, it's going to be tough to figure out who makes the team and who doesn't. I can honestly tell you we have guys who have better deliveries, better arm action and probably better stuff than [Chad] Billingsley and [Jonathan] Broxton had at the same age.
"That next wave is coming, and we have some strong position guys coming, too."
This either means:
A.) A bright promise of a future core pitching staff
BOSTON (APP) JULY 31st, 2011 – The Red Sox make a shocking splash at the trade deadline, unloading Tim Wakefield and David Ortiz to the Los Angeles Dodgers for James Loney, Chris Withrow and a player to be named later. The Los Angeles Dodgers will also receive cash considerations as part of the deal…
(about 2 1/2 months later)
LOS ANGELES (APP) OCTOBER 22nd, 2011 – The Dodgers complete the Ortiz-Wakefield deal yesterday by sending OF Kyle Russell to Boston.
Of course, I'm guessing it's going to be A.
Option B is right up Frank and Ned's alley.
Frank can get his Red Sox idols, and he probably won't have to pay them a dime the rest of the season. How much better can that get, and why wait until 2011? Ned could probably snooker that Boston team into doing that deal right away.
Hi'Ya Nelly!!! Hope you and yours are well and happy this evening. I'm hoping for A North!!! However, B would not surprise me with our current administration. I'm with Bear, the sooner the team is sold, the better for our future!!!
Hi'Ya Trumom!!! Well wishes to you and yours as well. Always a pleasure to see you!!!
Hi, Jhall ~ always more fun when you are here.
Guess we don't have to wondeer about signing Byrnes. He signed with the Mariners. For a small market team, they sure have done a lot to make themselves better.
Hey Jhall!!! We are doing great!! It's a nice sunny day so I decked out in Dodger blue (Andre style) to urge on the spring weather – LOL!! Always………..always good to see you around here.
Northstateblues – I would hope for A as well 🙂
Thanks Trumom, same here!!! Marlins definately get alot more bang for the buck than we do. Duuuuuhhh Ned!!!!
The entire AL West is going to be fun to watch this season. They have all made some pretty good acquisitions, and it will even get more interesting at the half-way point with the teams not in contention.
Thanks Nell', good for you.
You're right DNelson(LOL), Angels won't run away this year!!!
DNelson? How proper – LMDO!!!
I say we are good to go with what we've got. At this point, I don't think we are going to get anybody that is going to necessarily make it a better team.
Note to the Dodgers, seek out Tom Seaver to coach Billz. They are the same pitcher!!!
I agree DNelson!!!! Any scrubs they get now only block our player developement.
Very interesting predictions on all the teams, and as for the Dodgers in relation to our division and the rest of the NL, nothing we haven't discussed on ITD in detail. We are a pretty informative group.
Put Koufax with Kersh and get Tom Seaver to coach Billz!! Honeycutt was a finesse pitcher. Billz is not. He's a power pitcher. Mostly lower body strength. Maddux could do wonders with them all.
Does that mean….no Wang?! lol
With no Wang, Enchanted and Dodgereric will be very upset.
That would be great to see JHall!!!
LOL Tru!!! So far, the only Wang went to Jamie!!! I guess, Frank got the Wang inadvertantly!!! LMTO!!!!!
New thread!
Poor Ned, he's left with the Fantasy Baseball Guide and a bottle of lotion. Jamie seems to be the only winner!!! LOL!!!!


text:
There was certainly more idiotic revelry taking place in the Federal Hill section of Baltimore last night, but a consolation prize may be in order for this genius. I mean, what must this person have been thinking, filming a ridiculous moment like that vertically on a smart phone?
Update (2:40 p.m.): We've replaced that crappy, vertical video with a better footage recorded much closer to the action.
h/t to Adam R., Mason S.


text:
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