several valid viewpoints in this thread, describing portions of a difficult-to-describe situation. The word "qualified" jumps out for me here.. It could mean things like "sufficient technical background" and "of sound mind and problem solving skills" .. but in the govt context, "qualified" means exactly "you have legal permission" .. this is one of the several places that these projects break down, exactly. Those in business and those delivering permits, over time, learn that permits can be used to make money, and control future money, not work. The permit process for qualification also works at the bidding stage, where new entries are required to have their high school gradepoint checked, and hundred page report(s) to show "context" for the bid, yet existing payment contracts continue on in zombie mode for huge values, on a regular basis. This is like the force of gravity for these deals.. both sides, govt and big business, want lots of cash flow and no end in sight.