The schedules are a very low-cost entry for small businesses to get into the government market. In getting through the negotiations and the contracting process, the companies and small businesses are able to emulate a lot of their commercial practices. One of the issues that I repeatedly hear from vendors is that they like what they hear from you and Frank Pugliese, GSA's FSS administrator, but they believe it doesn't get down to the level of the contracting officers. I think if you were to go to the corporate world, those negotiations can get very pointed and very direct. Ours aren't far off from that.
Contracting officers have a lot of additional potential reviews after they sign a contract.
So they have to be behind their determination. I'll be addressing this issue with the inspector general. What we're looking for is for the IG to treat us like a CPA company treats its client. There's a perception that when contractors make a decision, they're second-guessed. Some of that creeps into the negotiations side about whether they are getting a good deal or not.