Re: To 'steveb'

You say that you have read all of the threads. Did you read the part in the RFP that said that even though you could submit a counter proposal, you had to agree to the conditions of the RFP and that the CHS would be the one's to decide which proposal would be used!!
Perhaps you haven't fully comprehended that little caveat (of course, it was well stated and explained in the rest of the thread!) Let's try it again (for the slower students in the class...) The CHS broke off negotiations by submitting a "final and non-negotiable offer" which was completely unacceptable to the GLRR Inc.
The CHS went ahead and posted for submission of bids based on an RFP which the GLRR Inc. couldn't agree to. Are we all together so far? Okay....
Three bids were submitted. NONE of the bids complied with the posted RFP! (Now here is where it gets tricky so pay attention!) The CHS has not yet AWARDED the contract. All they have done is say that Railstar submitted the winning bid (it's a small disinction but in legalese a potentially critical one!)
Railstar has said that they don't have a steam engine and will probably have to use diesels for the first year or two of operations. Now, it's entirely within the CHS's purvue to decide whether to let Railstar slide with their "counter proposal" but the key is that IT'S THE CHS'S CHOICE!!
You make the argument that the GLRR Inc. should have submitted a proposal and since they didn't they have no room to complain. I would respectfully state that you are in error.
Under the present circumstances, it would have been extremely inadvisable from a financial standpoint as the conditions of the RFP would have legally bound the GLRR Inc. to a contract that, in their opinion, was completely untenable and, if anything, even worse than when negotiations broke down!
Everything would be moot if Railstar was able to abide by the original conditions set down by the RFP. Here's the problem: (you still following me?) it was a no-win situation for the GLRR Inc.!
Also, since no bidder even came close to abiding by the RFP in their bid there are guidelines which the CHS (as a government agency) is bound by regulations to follow. The fact that this is not being done is the main crux of the problem...currently.
The CHS seems so hell-bent on kicking out the GLRR Inc. that one has to wonder why? Unfortunately, the CHS has given NO reason other than to state that the GLRR Inc. didn't submit a bid! (Now, I've got to stop for a moment for a quick personal commentary: "phblttttttt!") As has been shown by way that the RFP was written, the GLRR Inc. was put in a compromised position!
Again, if there was just cause for the CHS to seek a different operator this whole discussion would be moot. To date, the CHS has yet to specify EVEN ONE reason to wish the GLRR Inc. gone! In fact, when specifically asked about disparaging comments made by Lee Behren's about the current operators, the CHS's president, Ms. Contigulianna denied any knowledge!
So, steveb, THIS is why we are upset and feel that the CHS is being dishonest and disingenuous. As to your assertions that the GLRR Inc. (and by association ourselves) have no just cause to complain by reason of not submitting a bid........well, you are entitled to your opinion.