text:
Oklahoma State University
B-406865: Sep 12, 2012
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
(202) 512-4800
Oklahoma State University (OSU), of Stillwater, Oklahoma, protests the award of a contract to Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) under request for proposals (RFP) No. FA9200-11-R-0031, issued by the Department of the Air Force to produce joint munitions effectiveness manuals (JMEM) tools and related publications required by the Joint Technical Coordinating Group for Munitions Effectiveness (JTCG/ME). The JTCG/ME serves as the Department of Defense's focal point for munitions effectiveness information. Agency Report (AR) Tab 3, RFP at 70. The protester challenges the agency's price evaluation, contends that the agency engaged in preferential treatment of the awardee, and alleges that the awardee has an organizational conflict of interest.
We dismiss the protest in part and deny it in part.
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: Oklahoma State University
File: B-406865
Date: September 12, 2012
Andrew M. Ihrig, Esq., Oklahoma State University, for the protester.
G. Lindsay Simmons, Esq., J. Eric Whytsell, Esq., and Katie Calogero, Esq., Jackson Kelly PLLC, for the intervenor.
Jared D. Minsk, Esq., Department of the Air Force, for the agency.
Cherie J. Owen, Esq., Glenn G. Wolcott, and Sharon L. Larkin, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, GAO, participated in the preparation of the decision.
1. Protest of price evaluation is denied where the record indicates that the agency performed a reasonable analysis of offerors prices.
2. Where agency conducted discussions with both protester and awardee, identifying specific flaws in each offerors proposal, agencys discussion questions regarding particular flaws in awardees proposal did not constitute preferential treatment.
3. Protest of alleged organizational conflicts of interest is denied where the protester has not identified any hard facts indicating the existence, or potential existence, of a conflict.
Oklahoma State University (OSU), of Stillwater, Oklahoma, protests the award of a contract to Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) under request for proposals (RFP) No. FA9200-11-R-0031, issued by the Department of the Air Force to produce joint munitions effectiveness manuals (JMEM) tools and related publications required by the Joint Technical Coordinating Group for Munitions Effectiveness (JTCG/ME).[1] The protester challenges the agencys price evaluation, contends that the agency engaged in preferential treatment of the awardee, and alleges that the awardee has an organizational conflict of interest.
We dismiss the protest in part and deny it in part.
The RFP, issued on June 22, 2011, sought a contractor to produce operational weaponeering software tools and electronic publications that will provide munitions effectiveness information for air-delivered and surface-delivered nonnuclear weapons against selected surface and airborne targets. These products will be used by the armed forces of the U.S., and U.S. allies, to plan operational missions, support training and tactics development, and to support force-level analyses. CO Statement at 1. The RFP provided for the award of an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum ceiling of $66 million. Award was to be made to the offeror submitting the lowest priced technically acceptable proposal, and the solicitation expressly advised offerors that no additional credit will be given for exceeding acceptability. RFP at 149.
Consistent with providing for award on a lowest-priced-technically-acceptable basis, the solicitation established two factors: technical[2] and cost/price. Id. at 150. With regard to price, the solicitation established various labor categories, and required offerors to propose a ceiling rate for each labor category in each year.[3] AR, Tab 4, RFP Amendments, at 42; see AR, Tab 4, RFP Amendments, at 18, 43. The ceiling labor rates were to be submitted on the EGLIN-B001 Ceiling Rate Tables that were provided with the solicitation,[4] and the solicitation stated: rates in excess of the ceiling rates . . . are hereby made expressly unallowable. Id. at 22.
The RFP stated that in evaluating cost/price the agency would consider completeness, price reasonableness, realism, and total evaluated price methodology. RFP at 152. With regard to reasonableness, the solicitation stated that offerors proposals would be reviewed for reasonableness using the price analysis techniques described in FAR § 15.404. AR, Tab 4, RFP Amendments, at 67. With regard to realism, the RFP stated:
For task order 0001,[5] CLIN 4002, and CLIN 4003,[6] the offerors proposal will be reviewed [in accordance with] FAR 15.404-1(d) for cost realism to determine the extent to which it reflects the offerors technical efforts, indicates a clear understanding of the solicitation requirements, and reflects a sound approach to satisfying those requirements. A Probable Cost (PC) will be calculated for CLIN 4002, and CLIN 4003 proposal(s) that contains any cost element or elements determined to be unrealistic and will be included as part of the final analysis. Cost information supporting a cost or number of hours judged to be unrealistic associated with Task Order 0001, CLIN 4002, and CLIN 4003 proposal(s) will be quantified by the Government evaluators, to the maximum extent practicable, and included in the Task Order 0001, CLIN 4002, and CLIN 4003 for each offer. Note: As labor and indirect rates utilized in Task Order 0001 are derived from proposed ceiling rates established at ELGIN-B001, they are not subject to cost overruns and, thus, are exempted from this realism assessment. All other cost elements (hours, travel, material, etc.) remain subject to this realism assessment.
AR, Tab 4, RFP Amendments, at 67-68 (emphasis in original).
Initial proposals were submitted in July 2011. OSUs initial proposal was rated unacceptable under four of the technical evaluation subfactors: (1) software development and integration of weaponeering tools; (2) personnel qualifications and staffing plan; (3) JMEM data generation, analysis, and methodology development; and (4) JMEM Understanding. AR, Tab 9, Initial Evaluation Briefing to SSA, at 14. With regard to OSUs initial cost/price proposal, the evaluators found that the hours proposed for Task Order 0001 were understated, and therefore concluded that the cost/price proposed for that portion of the work was unrealistic. AR, Tab 9, Initial Evaluation Briefing to SSA, at 84-85.
With regard to ARAs proposal, the evaluators found that ARAs cost accounting standards disclosure statement did not contain a cognizant federal agency officials determination that the disclosure statement was adequate, and identified other proposal errors that needed to be addressed before ARAs proposal could be considered complete and awardable. AR, Tab 9, Initial Evaluation Briefing to SSA, at 68, 79.
Based on the agencys determination that a contract could not be awarded based on initial proposals, the agency opened discussions with the offerors on November 8, 2011, sending evaluation notices to the competitive range offerors. AR, Tab 9, Initial Evaluation Briefing to SSA, at 98. The agency sent OSU eight evaluation notices regarding flaws in the firms technical approach, and five evaluation notices regarding the firms cost/price proposal. Contracting Officers Statement at 8; see AR, Tab 13, Initial Discussions with OSU, at 25-64. The agency sent seven evaluation notices to ARA, six of which addressed cost/price issues, and one concerning data rights. Contracting Officers Statement at 8; see AR, Tab 14, Initial Discussions with ARA, at 21-34. One of the evaluation notices sent to ARA addressed the lack of a written determination regarding the adequacy of ARAs disclosure statement. Id. at 32.
Both offerors submitted their responses to the evaluation notices by the November 21 due date. With regard to its disclosure statement, ARA stated that it had submitted the required paperwork to the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) and was waiting for DCAA to conclude its review. AR, Tab 17, ARA Response to Initial Evaluation Notices, at 122. On December 13, DCAA informed the agency that it expected to finish its audit of ARAs disclosure statement by December 23. CO Statement at 10.
After evaluating the offerors responses to the first round of discussions, the agency found that OSUs proposal remained technically unacceptable. The agency therefore held telephonic discussions with OSU on November 30. CO Statement at 10; see AR, Tab 24, Telephone Questions to OSU, at 1. OSUs responses to the telephonic discussions raised an additional question, which the agency asked OSU to address via another evaluation notice sent to OSU on December 19. CO Statement at 11; see AR, Tab 24, Telephone Questions to OSU, at 6. Among other things, the December 19 evaluation notice stated that, while OSUs total proposed manpower was now consistent with the agencys estimate for adequate manning levels in the aggregate, the allocation of personnel at [deleted] appeared to be insufficient. Therefore, the agency expressed concern as to whether OSUs proposal demonstrated a full understanding of the scope and nature of the contract. OSU was requested to provide a realistic allocation of resources and to further describe its staffing approach by January 3.
On January 17, the agency concluded that OSUs proposal was technically acceptable. CO Statement at 11. However, both offerors proposals still had outstanding issues related to price. On February 6, the Air Force sent an evaluation notice to OSU informing the firm that its price was considered to be unreasonably high. Among other things, the notice requested that OSU should carefully consider lowering its price and explain why its price is reasonable. AR, Tab 28, Evaluation Notice to OSU Regarding Price Reasonableness, at 2. In response, the firm submitted additional documentation showing why it believed its prices were reasonable. AR, Tab 29, Response from OSU Regarding Price Reasonableness. For example, OSU stated, In some cases . . . we chose to use a salary that was higher than the average to ensure we were able to keep our top performers and maintain our quality product.[7] Id. at 2. The firm also slightly lowered its price, from $58,118,071 to $56,144,229. CO Statement at 10, 12. OSU submitted its response to this evaluation notice on February 8. On February 15, the Air Force was informed that ARAs disclosure statement was deemed to be adequate. Id. at 13.
In its evaluation of revised proposals, the agency determined that both proposals were technically acceptable, but that OSUs price of $56,144,229 remained unreasonably high. AR, Tab 35, Pre-FPR Briefing, at 13, 84. ARAs evaluated price of $45,728,094 was considered to be complete, reasonable, and realistic. Id. at 71, 81. On April 30, the Air Force sent each offeror copies of the relevant briefing slides containing the above assessments and requested that final proposal revisions (FPRs) be submitted by May 3. AR, Tabs 36 & 37, Requests for FPRs. The agency also conducted a telephone conference with OSU on April 30, in which the contracting officer again informed OSU that its price was considered to be unreasonably high. AR, Tab 36, Notes of Teleconference with OSU, at 1.
Both offerors timely submitted FPRs. In its cover letter, OSU stated that the changes in its FPR were due solely to modification of the [deleted] rate. AR, Tab 39, OSU FPR, at 1.
The agency evaluated FPRs and concluded that both proposals were technically acceptable. ARAs final evaluated price was $45,577,247. AR, Tab 44, Final Decision Briefing to SSA, at 14. OSUs final evaluated price was $55,589,403. Id. The agency concluded that OSUs cost/price remained unreasonably high. Id. at 23. Because ARA was determined to have the lowest priced technically acceptable proposal, the agency selected ARA for contract award. Id. at 29. This protest followed.
OSU essentially raises four protest grounds: (1) the agency improperly determined that ARAs price was realistic; (2) the agency improperly determined that OSUs price was unreasonable; (3) the agency improperly gave ARA preferential treatment in permitting it to resolve the issue with its disclosure statement; and (4) ARA was not eligible for award because it had an organizational conflict of interest. Protest at 2-6. As discussed below, we find no basis for sustaining the protest.
Realism of Awardees Cost/Price
OSU contends that it will be impossible for ARA to fulfill the obligations of the contract at the cost offered. Protest at 2. More specifically, OSU challenges the realism of ARAs labor rates, maintaining that they are too low to hire staff with the education and experience required to do the JMEM work.[8] Id.
As noted above, the RFP advised offerors that the agency would not perform a realism assessment regarding the offerors proposed labor and indirect rates because the proposed rates were ceiling rates, and any costs incurred due to rates in excess of the proposed rates were specifically designated as unallowable. AR, Tab 4, RFP Amendments, at 22, 68. Given the solicitations clear statement that the agency was not required to perform a realism assessment of the proposed labor rates, the protesters assertion that such analysis was required fails to state a valid basis of protest and is dismissed. In any event, the record establishes that the agency did, in fact, perform an adequate realism analysis.
An agency is not generally required to perform price realism analysis with regard to fixed-rate proposals, since the risk of loss in such situations is on the contractor, see Health Net Fed. Servs., LLC, B-401652.3, B-401652.5, Nov. 4, 2009, 2009 CPD ¶ 220 at 19; nonetheless, an agency may choose to perform such analysis. In instances where price analysis is performed, the FAR contemplates various price analysis techniques, including the comparison of proposed prices to each other, to an independent government estimate, and to competitive published price lists. FAR § 15.404-1(b)(2); C.L. Price & Assocs., Inc., B-403476.2, Jan. 7, 2011, 2011 CPD ¶ 16 at 3; Comprehensive Health Servs., Inc., B-310553, Dec. 27, 2007, 2008 CPD ¶ 9 at 8. Further, we have found an agencys realism analysis regarding labor rates to be reasonable where the agency relied on information obtained from internet websites. Science Applications Intl Corp., B-406460, B-406460.2, June 7, 2012, 2012 CPD ¶ 181 at 3-4; AdvanceMed Corp.; TrustSolutions, LLC, B-404910.4 et al., Jan. 17, 2012, 2012 CPD ¶ 25 at 16-17.
Here, the record shows that the agency first compared ARAs prices to those offered by OSU. AR, Tab 41, Comparative Analysis of Offerors, at 7; AR, Tab 43, Price Competition Memorandum, at 7; see FAR § 15.404-1(b)(2)(i) (comparison of proposed prices received in response to the solicitation). The agency also compared ARAs labor rates to those in comparable GSA Federal Supply Schedule contracts. AR, Tab 43, Price Competition Memorandum, at 7; see FAR § 15.404-1(b)(2)(iv) (comparison with competitive published price lists). Next, the agency compared ARAs price to the independent government cost estimate. AR, Tab 41, Comparative Analysis of Offerors, at 9; see FAR § 15.404-1(b)(2)(v) (comparison with independent government cost estimates). Finally, the agency compared ARAs direct labor rates with those listed on an internet website, salary.com, and specifically considered instances in which ARAs rates were lower than those in this database.[9] See FAR § 15.404-1(b)(2)(iv) (comparison with competitive published price lists).
On this record, we find no basis to question the agencys determination that ARAs price was realistic. The mere fact that OSU believes that other price analysis techniques, such as comparison to OSUs own historical prices, would have been more accurate (or more beneficial to OSU) does not establish that the agencys price analysis was unreasonable. Accordingly, although the solicitation specifically stated that the agency would not perform a realism assessment regarding the offerors labor rates, the agency nevertheless performed such an assessment, and we find the agencys conclusions in that regard to be reasonable.[10]
Disclosure Statement
Next, OSU claims that the agency improperly gave ARA preferential treatment in permitting it to resolve the issue regarding the firms cost accounting standards disclosure statement. As set forth above, the awardees disclosure statement initially did not contain the required determination that the statement was adequate. After determining that the initial proposals submitted by OSU and ARA were both ineligible for award, the agency determined that discussions were necessary. As a part of its discussions with ARA, the agency requested that ARA provide the relevant federal agency officials written determination regarding the adequacy of the firms disclosure statement. AR, Tab 12, Initial Evaluation Notices for ARA, at 5. OSU contends that the agencys decision to allow ARA to resolve this matter evidences preferential treatment of the awardee.
In conducting discussions, offerors must be afforded equal opportunities to address the portions of their proposals that require revision, explanation, or amplification. Unisys Corp., B-406326 et al., Apr. 18, 2012, 2012 CPD ¶ 153 at 5. Nonetheless, the requirement for equal treatment does not mean that discussions with offerors must, or should, be identical. Id. To the contrary, discussions must be tailored to each offerors own proposal. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) §§ 15.306(d)(1), (e)(1); WorldTravelService, B-284155.3, Mar. 26, 2001, 2001 CPD ¶ 68 at 5-6. Further, for discussions to be meaningful, an agency is required to identify deficiencies in an offerors proposal. FAR § 15.306(d)(3).
Here, the agency maintains, and we agree, that the Air Force treated both offerors fairly and equally during discussions by leading both offerors to submit additional documentation and information that would address the evaluated flaws in their respective proposals. As set forth above, the agency sent OSU eight evaluation notices regarding flaws in the firms technical approach, and five evaluation notices regarding the firms cost/price proposal. Contracting Officers Statement at 5; see AR, Tab 13, Initial Discussions with OSU, at 25-64. The agency sent seven evaluation notices to ARA, six of which addressed cost/price issues, and one concerning data rights. AR, Tab 14, Initial Discussions with ARA, at 21-34. One of the evaluation notices sent to ARA addressed the lack of a written determination regarding the adequacy of ARAs disclosure statement. Id. at 32. In response, ARA stated that it had submitted the required paperwork to DCMA and was waiting for DCMA to conclude its review. AR, Tab 17, ARA Response to Initial Evaluation Notices, at 122. Based on our review of the record, we conclude that both offerors were afforded equal opportunities to address the portions of their proposals that required revision, explanation, or amplification. Accordingly, we find nothing improper in the agencys decision to allow ARA to address flaws in its proposal, including the disclosure statement requirements.[11]
Organizational Conflicts of Interest
Finally, the protester contends that ARA has an organizational conflict of interest (OCI) which renders it ineligible for award. Protest at 5; Protesters Comments at 2. In this regard, OSU contends that the agency has developed a sole source relationship with ARA to the exclusion of other contractors, and that [i]t is because of these sole source, non-competitive, high-priced relationships that ARA was able to offer unreasonably low prices for the JMEM contract. Protest at 5 (citing several sole source contracts awarded to ARA); see Protesters Comments at 2-4.
The FAR requires that contracting officials avoid, neutralize or mitigate potential significant conflicts of interest so as to prevent an unfair competitive advantage or the existence of conflicting roles that might impair a contractors objectivity. FAR §§ 9.504(a), 9.505. The responsibility for determining whether an actual or apparent conflict of interest will arise, and to what extent the firm should be excluded from the competition, rests with the contracting agency. Aetna Govt Health Plans, Inc.; Foundation Health Fed. Servs., Inc., B-254397.15 et al., July 27, 1995, 95-2 CPD ¶ 129 at 12. The situations in which OCIs arise, as described in FAR subpart 9.5 and the decisions of our Office, can be broadly categorized into three groups: biased ground rules, unequal access to information, and impaired objectivity. Organizational Strategies, Inc., B-406155, Feb. 17, 2012, 2012 CPD ¶ 100 at 5.
We review the reasonableness of a contracting officers OCI investigation and, where an agency has given meaningful consideration to whether a significant conflict of interest exists, we will not substitute our judgment for the agencys, absent clear evidence that the agencys conclusion is unreasonable. See TeleCommunication Sys. Inc., B-404496.3, Oct. 26, 2011, 2011 CPD ¶ 229 at 3-4; PCCP Constructors, JV; Bechtel Infrastructure Corp., B-405036 et al., Aug. 4, 2011, 2011 CPD ¶ 156 at 17. A protester must identify hard facts that indicate the existence or potential existence of a conflict; mere inference or suspicion of an actual or potential conflict is not enough. TeleCommunication Sys. Inc., supra, at 3; see Turner Constr. Co., Inc. v. United States, 645 F.3d 1377, 1387 (Fed. Cir. 2011); PAI Corp. v. United States, 614 F.3d 1347, 1352 (Fed. Cir. 2010). The identification of conflicts of interest are fact-specific inquiries that require the exercise of considerable discretion. Axiom Res. Mgmt., Inc. v. United States, 564 F.3d 1374, 1382 (Fed. Cir. 2009).
Here, the record reflects that, upon receipt of OSUs protest, the agency performed an investigation of the protesters allegations and an analysis of any potential conflicts of interest. AR at 23. For example, OSU alleged that the source selection evaluation team (SSET) lead had been the program manager for another contract being performed by ARA involving [deleted]. Protest at 5. The Air Force interviewed agency employees who were involved in solicitation drafting to determine whether any non-governmental personnel had any influence in the drafting of the RFP, and concluded they had not. AR, Tab 47, OCI Evaluation at 1-2. The agency further determined that the SSET lead had left [deleted] position as [deleted] prior to [deleted] involvement in evaluating proposals here.[12] The agency also investigated the possibility of unequal access to information. The agencys investigation showed that Air Force employees took precautions to prevent the disclosure of source selection sensitive information. Id. at 4. For example, evaluators met in a secured vault to conduct meetings and prepare documents. Only computers not connected to any networks were used, and all electronic documents were stored on a portable computer drive that was secured in a locked container that only team members could access. Id. The agencys interviews and investigation indicated that no outside parties were able to obtain source selection sensitive information. Id.
Although the protesters assertions of OCIs are vague and difficult to categorize,[13] the record here indicates that the agency performed a thorough investigation of OSUs allegations and reasonably concluded that no OCIs were apparent. In this regard, OSU has failed to identify hard facts that indicate the existence, or potential existence, of a conflict and OSUs mere inferences and speculation are insufficient to sustain the protest. Accordingly, this protest ground is denied.[14]
The protest is dismissed in part and denied in part.
Lynn H. Gibson
General Counsel
[1] The JTCG/ME serves as the Department of Defenses focal point for munitions effectiveness information. Agency Report (AR) Tab 3, RFP at 70.
[2] The technical factor had six subfactors: (1) software development and integration of weaponeering tools; (2) JMEM data generation, analysis, and methodology development; (3) JMEM understanding; (4) personnel qualifications and staffing plan; (5) relocation/phase-in plan; and (6) past performance. Id.
[3] For each labor category, the solicitation established minimum qualifications and provided the estimated number of hours that could be required.
[4] Eglin refers to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
[5] Task Order 0001 was a requirement to incorporat[e] DoD standard targeting imagery and the No Strike List into the JWS [joint weaponeering system] product for viewing, weaponeering, and exporting to targeting customers. AR, Tab 3, RFP at 77.
[6] CLINs 4002 and 4003 were relocation CLINs. Id. at 6.
[7] As noted above, the solicitation expressly advised offerors that no additional credit will be given for exceeding [technical] acceptability. AR, Tab 4, RFP Amendments, at 121.
[8] The purpose of a price reasonableness review is to determine whether the prices offered are too high, as opposed to too low. Beyel Brothers, Inc., B-406640, B-406640.2, July 18, 2012, 2012 CPD ¶ 211 at 4. Arguments, such as the one raised by OSU here, that an agency did not perform an appropriate analysis to determine whether prices are too low such that there may be a risk of poor performance, concern price realism. Id.; C.L. Price & Assocs., Inc., B-403476.2, Jan. 7, 2011, 2011 CPD ¶ 16 at 3.
[9] For example, the agency found that the proposed rates for some administrative positions were lower than the rates in the salary.com database, but determined that this would have an insubstantial impact on the execution of the contract in that the differences were not significant and related primarily to lower level administrative positions. AR, Tab 41, Comparative Analysis of Offerors, at 9.
[10] Since we find no basis to question the agencys determination that ARAs price was realistic, OSUs assertion that its own price was not unreasonably high is academic since, even if we agreed, OSU would still not be in line for award. While we do not generally address academic issues, we note here that OSUs justification for proposing higher rates was that it wanted to keep [its] top performers, notwithstanding the solicitations express direction that no additional credit will be given for exceeding [technical] acceptability. See AR, Tab 29, Response from OSU Regarding Price Reasonableness, at 2; AR, Tab 4, RFP Amendments, at 121.
[11] Similarly, OSU asserts that the agency improperly delayed the award to provide preferential treatment to ARA. Protest at 4-5. We find this allegation equally without merit. The agency opened discussions with the offerors via letters on November 8, 2011 and conducted ongoing discussions with OSU until February 3, 2012. AR at 21. On February 15, DCMA reported to the agency that ARAs disclosure statement was deemed to be adequate. The record here does not support the protesters contention that the agency delayed award of the contract to afford preferential treatment to ARA. Rather, it appears that the agency worked diligently to assist both offerors in addressing the evaluated flaws in their proposals.
[12] The agency also notes, and we agree, that the mere fact that an agency evaluator served as a program manager on another project performed by one of the offerors does not create a conflict of interest. AR at 24.
[13] For example, the protester characterizes its unsupported allegations of bias, bad faith, and preferential treatment as conflicts of interest.
[14] In its protest submissions, OSU has raised arguments in addition to, or variations of, those specifically discussed above. For example, OSU protests the process used by the Air Force to apply redaction to the original AF documents, complaining that the process of preparing redacted versions of documents appears not to be reviewed by anyone in the chain of command, which OSU claims leads to unmanaged redaction and a lackluster review of the bid process/protest as a whole. Protesters Comments at 10-11. OSUs allegations regarding the agencys redaction of what it believes to be source selection sensitive information from the public versions of documents fails to state a valid basis for protest. We have considered all of OSUs various arguments and allegations and find no basis to sustain the protest.
Dec 4, 2020
Continuity Global Solutions
We deny the protest.
RiVidium Inc.
We deny the protest.
Trusted Mission Solutions, Inc.
We deny the protest.
Systems Integration & Development, LLC
We deny the protest.
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:
The Respiratory Solution: Wild Oregano – The Most Potent Germicide
Respiratory illness is caused by many things: pneumococci, asbestosis, sarcoidosis; inhalation of lead and other heavy metals and pollution. Currently, there is an epidemic of respiratory illnesses in North America primarily due to germs, and there is one particular germ that is causing an awful lot of problems. This germ is a mould fungus. According to Webster's dictionary, a fungus is a saprophyte, and a saprophyte is an organism that grows on dead and decaying material.
Its presence in our body indicates the state of our health, so we don't want something like that growing on us. The biggest source of moulds is contaminated air which damages and irritates the lungs and bronchial tubes, and then, to some degree, gets into the blood and the rest of the organs. Mould and fungus also contaminate grains.
Spices – Oil Of Oregano
I have discovered that spices are the most potent germicides in the world. I have to give credit to Judy Gray who found these spice extracts and brought them to my attention when I was sick. The most famous spice extract, of course, is oil of oregano. Judy found oil of oregano overseas and we were the first to import it into this country.
Oil of oregano is the key to curing mould fungus infestation. It is valuable for a wide range of health problems such as allergies, hay fever, actinomycosis, asbestosis, blastomycosis, a big epidemic in southern Ontario, blood clots, bronchitis, cough, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, demolition lung (where people work around a lot of dust), histoplasmosis, nasal polyps, pneumonia, sarcoidosis, silicosis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, whatever kind of a throatitis you could have, and tuberculosis.
Research Using Oregano Against Candida
In 2001, preliminary research at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. showed that the fungus Candida albicans was destroyed by certain spice extracts. Our research team used the finest spice extracts (including extracts of wild oregano known as the P73 blend, wild sage and mountain-grown cumin), which are now components in a product called Oregacyn. We tested the fungus Candida albicans, which causes untold misery, disability and death in North America today. It is the cause of sepsis in the kidneys, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.
It is a huge factor in colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, eosophagitis, hiatal hernia and gastritis. In the study, Candida albicans fungus was inserted into tissue. One part of the culture was treated with the wild oregano blend known as P73, and another part with the drug amphoteracin B which is the premier drug of last resort for people with Candida sepsis. This research was published in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry in 2002, and it goes to every major research institution in the world.
The research showed that these spices completely destroyed every trace of the fungus in the culture tissue and no Candida of any kind was found. The animals who took the oregano were healthier than they were before treatment according to the investigators. The amphoteracin B, a very powerful drug that causes kidney damage also destroyed the fungus. But here is an example of a spice which was effective as a powerful drug but without the side effects. You may request the article by calling 1-847-473-4700.
Research Using Oregano Against Staph Bacteria
Another study at Georgetown University showed that the wild oregano blend destroyed drug resistant staph bacteria. We compared the spice extracts against vancomycin. Vancomycin is pretty good. It is the drug of last resort for staph bacteria, and it allowed about 40% of the animals to survive. Staph is nasty. But 50% of the animals taking the oregano extracts (which you will find in both the Oreganol and the Oregacyn) survived. If you increased the dose, you could possibly get 100% survival. It still has to be studied.
We could spend another $400,000 or more doing research, but these spices have been used over the centuries. Wild oregano and other spices have been used for 50,000 years of human history. The Babylonians, the ancient Pharaohs, the Islamic doctors, and the British in the 1600s used them. The British said that it cured the common cold, bronchitis, chronic coughing, ear problems and diarrhea. According to the Babylonians, it was the best cardiac tonic known to the human race.
Research By The USDA
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) was investigating the antioxidant power of foods and confirmed that of all the foods and all the spice extracts, wild oregano was three to 20 times more powerful as a germicide than anything else tested. The result which was three times higher likely occurred because they were using farm-raised oregano. The result which was 20 times higher was obviously from wild mountainous material, which is much more powerful. So you must always use the wild.
Parasites can also cause lung problems. The parasites are worms, amoebas, protozoas, tapeworms, etc. There are in everything. If you travel overseas, if you drink the public water and if you eat at restaurants, there are risks, no matter how clean you are. Hulda Clark and many others proved it. If you have chronic lung disease, the second thing you must destroy is the parasites. They can live in the liver, the lung, the gut, and they can cause cancer, heart disease, liver disease, fibromyalgia and lupus. Whether your lung problem is caused by germs or parasites, spice extracts are the answer. If you who work around toxic agents, or if you would like to protect your lungs, wild oregano is the answer.
Oregacyn – The Power Of Antioxidants In Spices
A recent study (2002) by the USDA found that of all natural antioxidants tested, spices were the best, and of all the spices, wild oregano was tops and had 40 times the antioxidant effect of apples and over five times the action of antioxidants in blueberries. If you have oxidative damage in your body, you will need something with power like Oregacyn which contains five spices, including wild high mountain oregano, wild mountain sage and high mountain cumin.
Research has demonstrated that glutathione peroxidase and glutathione transferase are the key enzymes which protect the cells in the lungs from toxic or oxidative damage. Cumin has been found to have the ability to increase glutathione levels up to 700%. Here in Southern Ontario you do have your share of pollution, and some of you may have emphysema, or chronic obstructive lung disease. So a couple of capsules a day is a good way to go to protect the lungs from oxidative damage.
Case Histories
People who have used some of these spices have received enormous benefits. Spice extracts will destroy the germs and liberate the illness, whether it is a cough, congestion, sinus pressure, sinus headaches, rhinitis or post nasal drip. I was on the radio in Hamilton yesterday and a gentleman called and he said, " I can't get rid of the flu but when I take one to three capsules of Oregacyn a day I knock it out." I talked to another person whose wife owns a very prominent nutrition company in New York.
Their nutritional supplements were not able to heal her cough and they were afraid her asthma was going to kill her. She started taking the Oregacyn, this dried desiccated wild spice material in a capsule, just a couple of capsules twice a day and she got rid of it. And boy, were they impressed. As far as I know, they are buying the stuff like crazy. and their whole staff is taking it. There was another gentleman who had a terrible infection in the rectal area which he couldn't get rid of. But he claims he cured it using this particular spice extract, the Oregacyn.
Question: Will oil of oregano or Oregacyn, the multiple spice extract, destroy the beneficial bacteria like acidophilus and lactobacillus in the colon.
Answer: Yes, if you take too much of any of these things, it can. For instance, if you eat three cloves of raw garlic, it will temporarily sterilize the colon. If you eat a raw onion you will sterilize the stomach for a short period of time. If you take a lot of oil of oregano, you can kill your lactobacillus. If you are taking a heavy dose of something like that, it is wise to take a friendly bacteria supplement.
To find out if you have a mould fungus infection, you can take a little self-test:
- If you have chronic joint pain that cannot be healed, give yourself a 2.
- Sinus attacks or chronic sinusitis, give yourself a 5.
- Watery eyes, give it 2.
- Itchy eyes, give it 2.
- Shortness of breath, give it a 3.
- Spastic muscles – 1.
- Neck stiffness. Give it a 1 or 2 if it is really bad.
- Spinal stiffness – give it a 5. Stiffness of the spine is now clearly associated with mould, fungus infections or mycotoxins causing damage.
- Chronic ear infections as an adult, give that a 3.
- Waking up at night; can't sleep at night. Night time is a misery. Give it a 5 unless there is stress or another cause.
- Attention Deficit in kids give that a 10.
- Attacks of sneezing fits and runny nose, would be a 2.
- Chronic headaches – 2.
- Pain behind the eye, 1 or 2.
- Wheezing would have to be a 5.
- Dizziness – 1.
- Hives – 2.
- Dry cough – 5.
- Tendency to be allergic to everything. Sensitivity to chemicals, fibromyalgia, sensitive to everything, can't concentrate, mental fog – 5.
- Spots on the lungs that no one can figure out – 10 unless it's tuberculosis.
- Psychotic tendencies, anxiety, neurosis with no other cause, give it a 3.
- Itchy skin – 3.
- Itchy scalp has to be 5.
- Ringworm or Athlete's Foot that is persistent – 5.
If you scored more than 10, this is evidence to believe that you have a chronic mould or fungus infection or sensitivity and that you have dead and decaying materials in your body. Please refer to Dr. Ingram's books for research references. Dr. Ingram's books The Longevity Solution, The Respiratory Solution, Lifesaving Cures and Royal Oil", Royal Kick" and Oregacyn" are available at Consumer Health Organization. Please call 416-924-9800 or 1-877-389-0996.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
COVID-19 updates
Quality CareFind out why Mayo Clinic is the right place for your health care. Make an appointment.
Meet the StaffFind a directory of doctors and departments at all Mayo Clinic campuses. Visit now.
Research and Clinical TrialsSee how Mayo Clinic research and clinical trials advance the science of medicine and improve patient care. Explore now.
Visit Our SchoolsEducators at Mayo Clinic train tomorrow's leaders to deliver compassionate, high-value, safe patient care. Choose a degree.
Professional ServicesExplore Mayo Clinic's many resources and see jobs available for medical professionals. Get updates.
Philanthropy at Mayo ClinicYour support accelerates powerful innovations in patient care, research and education. Give today.
Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations.
Subscribe to Housecall
Our general interest e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.
A comfortable work space can help you feel your best. Give your sitting work area a makeover with this visual guide to office ergonomics.
If you sit behind a desk for hours at a time, you're not doomed to a career of neck and back pain or sore wrists and fingers. Proper office ergonomics — including correct chair height, adequate equipment spacing and good desk posture — can help you and your joints stay comfortable at work.
Ready to give your work space a makeover? Get started making your sitting workstation comfortable with this visual guide to sitting workstation ergonomics.
Choose a chair that supports your spinal curves. Adjust the height of your chair so that your feet rest flat on the floor or on a footrest and your thighs are parallel to the floor. Adjust armrests so your arms gently rest on them with your shoulders relaxed.
Keep key objects — such as your telephone, stapler or printed materials — close to your body to minimize reaching. Stand up to reach anything that can't be comfortably reached while sitting.
Place your mouse within easy reach and on the same surface as your keyboard. While typing or using your mouse, keep your wrists straight, your upper arms close to your body, and your hands at or slightly below the level of your elbows. Use keyboard shortcuts to reduce extended mouse use. If possible, adjust the sensitivity of the mouse so you can use a light touch to operate it. Alternate the hand you use to operate the mouse by moving the mouse to the other side of your keyboard.
If you frequently talk on the phone and type or write at the same time, place your phone on speaker or use a headset rather than cradling the phone between your head and neck.
If your chair is too high for you to rest your feet flat on the floor — or the height of your desk requires you to raise the height of your chair — use a footrest. If a footrest is not available, try using a small stool or a stack of sturdy books instead.
Under the desk, make sure there's clearance for your knees, thighs and feet. If the desk is too low and can't be adjusted, place sturdy boards or blocks under the desk legs. If the desk is too high and can't be adjusted, raise your chair. Use a footrest to support your feet as needed. If your desk has a hard edge, pad the edge or use a wrist rest. Don't store items under your desk.
Place the monitor directly in front of you, about an arm's length away. The top of the screen should be at or slightly below eye level. The monitor should be directly behind your keyboard. If you wear bifocals, lower the monitor an additional 1 to 2 inches for more comfortable viewing. Place your monitor so that the brightest light source is to the side.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic.
Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.
A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.


text:
The World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) mission is to promote, coordinate and monitor the fight against doping in sport in all its forms. WADA was established in 1999 as an international independent agency composed and funded equally by the sports movement and the governments of the world. Its key activities include scientific research, education, development of anti-doping capacities, and monitoring of the World Anti Doping Code – the document harmonising anti-doping policies in all sports and all countries.
WADA works towards a vision of the world that values and fosters a doping-free culture in sport. Doping, unfortunately, has been part of sport since ancient Greek times. Throughout the history of sport, there have been athletes who chose to dope and a majority who chose to compete without using performance-enhancing substances. A long-term solution to preventing doping is through effective values-based education programmes that foster anti-doping behaviours and create a strong anti-doping culture. WADA, through its many different programmes and initiatives, targets above all the athletes, providing them with the ethical and technical guidelines to compete free from doping.
Play True! is WADA's slogan. Athletes who pledge to "play true" are committed to sport that is free from doping. By being part of the Play True Generation athletes in DanceSport commit to leading the way in promoting and ensuring clean sport.
Read about the current WADA Education and Awareness Campaign!
WADA Brochure HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF DOPING
WADA Brochure DOPING CONTROL
WADA Brochure DANGER OF DOPING
The WADA website provides exentisve information on other topics concerning athletes' health as well as anti-doping measures and procedures.


text:
Select imageFORMULA scanners come bundled with CapturePerfect software to make scanning, saving, sharing and printing documents simple.
Scan directly to email, a PDF format, file or presentation at the touch of a button. Register routine jobs. Edit, rearrange and manage files effortlessly. Enjoy simplicity from start to finish.
CapturePerfect software improves image quality significantly. The end result is that your digital documents often look even better than the originals. Make the lightest text legible. Get smooth and sharp graphics. Remove colours for accurate OCR reading. Rotate images. Scan unsorted documents without skewing worries. Expect perfect quality every time.
CapturePerfect software speeds up all your scanning tasks so you save time, cut labour costs and can get on with other important tasks. Benefit from high performance scanning at full speed… the professional, problem-free way.
An extensive range of easy-to-use CapturePerfect features include:
|• Scan to PDF
• Scan to Mail
• Scan to Print
• Scan to Presentation
|• Scan to file
• Scan to Printer
• Multi Window
• Text Enhancement
|• Smoothing
• De-skew
• Pre-scan
• Image Rotation
|• Colour Drop Out


text:
How much does it come from sponsorship? We have our biggest deal ever with Standard Chartered worth £80m over four years, that's £20m a year. By City and Chelsea standards, this can go toward the purchase of one decent (not an excellent) player a year. Or it will pay the salaries of two top players a year (£200k/week). What about the rest of the team? How many good players will be willing to 'carry the piano' for less than £100k/week?
My understanding is that you can generate as much revenue as you like from sponsorship and so artificially inflate your revenues so you can get away with paying higher wages without breaking the fair play rules. My understanding may be incorrect though!
No, no, what you're saying is fair enough. My point was that no team will be able to, say, double, triple or quadruple its sponsorship revenue. So, there will be a self-regulating cap on the salaries a club can pay and players it can buy. I think what's ruining the modern game is one player in the team to play for £200k/week and another for £20k/week in the same team, in the same games.
That's just made my week, cheers!!!Seriously though what I admire about them the most is they admit they have a lot to learn, he openly admits to not knowing too much about football, but they will put people in place that do. They're here for the long term, isn't that what we wanted when we fought H & G for so long, a long term owner who would build solid foundations and have us standing on our own 2 feet.
They don't fully understand football yet. They have Comolli in now and he was keen to keep stressing this. Comolli will be their eyes and ears on the manager I think.They removed the manager at Boston pretty soon after taking over so they are not averse to the idea. My guess is they need to feel they make the right decision as sacking him will be expensive.
Appreciate the response. I hear what you're saying, I really do. Let me say this though. So, Comolli is the man to advise NESV on Roy? Well, I've just watched the Comolli interview, and the same story, Comolli is saying how happy he is with Roy, how Roy is a highly respected coach, and that they share the same vision etc. They agree on everything I think he said. Everyone quoted at the club believes in Roy. Is this a lie, good PR, or their honest opinion? Watching the chat with Comolli, I really wasn't impressed. His answers were vague. His English is not brilliant so this could well be an obstacle. However, I am none the wiser about NESV's long term strategy, other than they believe in youth, statistics, and "supporting" each other. All very woolly. I know, I know "give them time FFS!! They've only been there X weeks!" But I don't get how 90-95% of people on this forum are basically foaming at the mouth with Roy, yet we are singing John Henry's praises for taking out 30 minutes of his day to answer important questions about your club! I am grateful to John, Tom and NESV in ridding us of H&G but still, let's not forget that they are the privileged ones here in owing LFC (I'm not suggesting that they've acted poorly in this regard I should add). John Henry is calling the majority of RAWK wrong for blaming Roy Hodgson for Liverpool's poor performances. That's fine, that's his opinion and I don't begrudge him it. He may even be right. But how can people be so "Roy is shit, C*nt, get rid" etc and then just shrug your shoulders and accept it when one of the owners tells you that you're flat out wrong? I don't get it. NESV might not understand football yet, but they're not mincing their words here. Support Roy, support the team. You don't agree? Well then you're not on aboard with our philosophy. That's what I'm hearing.Saying all that, I am keeping an open mind. First impressions were good, hmmm I'm not so sure I like what I'm hearing now. They said that they will make mistakes. Well, I think they have already made a couple. I know I will be blasted for not having patience, and if I took more time I could word this a lot better. This isn't an anti-NESV/Henry/Werner/Comolli rant, far from it, I'm just a bit concerned.I do think NESV's intentions are good. I believe them when they say that their intentions are to create a winning team. And I'm not averse to their thinking, with their Director of Football setup for example. I just think they've got the wrong people in those positions.
John Henry is calling the majority of RAWK wrong for blaming Roy Hodgson for Liverpool's poor performances. That's fine, that's his opinion and I don't begrudge him it. He may even be right. But how can people be so "Roy is shit, C*nt, get rid" etc and then just shrug your shoulders and accept it when one of the owners tells you that you're flat out wrong? I don't get it.
It's the dreaded vote of confidence. Chairmen and directors will always publicly back a manager, even if they plan to sack them next week. It's meaningless.
Therefore what is to stop Chelsea and Man City owners striking up a sponsorship deal with their owners companies where they put in whatever 'sponsorship revenues' are required to keep the players wages below the stipulated percentage.
Great stuff... Am I being silly by asking where's part one?
Hey, the Fail may be a bunch of reactionary Tory gobshites but at least they credit the story, where does that leave Richie Word Thief in the grand packing order of life?
Here as well. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/nov/15/liverpool-john-w-henry
Ive been to the academy three times and Ive met with Jose Segura and Rodolfo Borrell. They are key people for the future of Liverpool. They know their work is now a major priority for us. Ive made a personal commitment to them. We intend to give them the resources to build LFC for the future.
These players all want the same things. They want to win. Its up to us to build a winner going forward. Its up to them to determine to win now. We saw a certain team on the field against Chelsea last week that showed what they can do.
So the players all eleven each week have to be on the same page every match and have to live up to the history and respect this club has engendered no matter what.
Since the media now digs into this story and use the quotes;When were the quotes made? In the last few days?
They can't thats money laundering and illegal.
We were sent the replies late Sunday night.
No it's not. Money laundering is totally different to them agreeing that one business they own can enter into a sponsorship deal with another.
Alright. Cheers. In my opinion that puts some of the quotes into the right perspective.
Personally I'd like to believe you. I'm not sure it was neccessary for him to write those things in the email though. He didn't need to bring the issue up.
I watched a YouTube video and decided that Paul Konchesky looked like a player.
A dead animal is a dead animal. And a piece of meat is a piece of meat.
is there a danger that NESV will be a Randy Lerner type takeover? Keeping the club on a sound financial footing but not really putting the capital in to really trouble the big clubs?
Page created in 0.065 seconds with 23 queries.
[Server Load: 0.4]


text:
Our basketball-crazed President is something of a health freak, apparently, so it makes sense that his young staffers are physique-obsessed, too. They go to the gym, play pickup basketball, field a softball team and play beer pong with David Axelrod.
"An undercurrent of personal fitness runs throughout" the White House's youngest staffers, writes Ashley Parker in this week's New York Times Magazine, and it takes the form of everyone else's recreational pursuits. They go to the gym, sans BlackBerry for the only time all day, before coming to work in the morning. (If they're late to the office? Well, that's an excuse that Obama tolerates.) They play three unofficial pickup games a week. And then, of course, they field a softball team in what I can only assume is a beer league. The team is called Stotus — of course it is — and their rivals include the Democratic National Committee.
Hey, speaking of beer: it's the great unifying force between staffers young and old:
President Obama's young staff and their senior counterparts mix seamlessly and often sweetly. During the primaries, Axelrod once dropped by a party at the Pad - a group house in Chicago where seven campaign staff members lived, worked and played the video game Rock Band. The rumpled, over-50 "Axe," as nearly everyone calls him, impressed the crowd by playing a game of beer pong.
Then they engaged in some survivor flipcup, moved onto 21 and honeycomb, crushed a power hour, endured through another one, slowed down with quarters, amped it up with Kings, ripped three shots, called a cab for a lift to the local danceclub and, after groovin' the night away, demolished a deep-dish pizza or five. Three hours later, they all stumbled into the gym, without their phones — this time, casualties of a typical Tuesday night.
All The Obama 20-Somethings [NYT Magazine]


text:
Built in 1916, the 513 ton South Coaster came to rest in this location in December 1943 during a severe winter storm. At the time, she had been chartered by the Admiralty to carry coal to Exmouth.
She is highly visible from the main railway line running down to the West Country, but difficult to access at all but the lowest of tides, and it is very unusual to be able to access the space below the bridge.


text:
A dozen Nipmuc Regional High School cheerleaders are facing the consequences of not being able to perform at the pep rally or cheer at the traditional Thanksgiving football game against Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School after their involvement came to light in a potentially dangerous teenage tradition, underage drinking.
Principal John Clements referred questions to the district superintendent's office, and Superintendent of Schools Joseph Maruszczak did not return a call this morning.
Nipmuc Regional High School in Upton serves Mendon and Upton students.
Students decked out in their class colors as they departed this morning's pep rally for Thanksgiving break commented that for some classmates, partying with alcohol is part of high school life.
The cheerleaders' sanction came after they were caught drinking at a sleepover in Mendon Friday night, at which two girls were sent to the hospital by ambulance.
William Ambrosino, the homeowner whose daughter is on the team, told police one girl brought a bottle of vodka and they also got their hands on booze he had left in a cooler and forgotten about. He called 911.
Mr. Ambrosino serves as chairman of the Mendon Planning Board.
Police told WFXT-TV they investigated and decided not to bring charges because none of the adults in the house knew about the liquor.
"Everyone was released (from the hospital) that night," Mendon Police Chief Ernest Horn told the Telegram & Gazette.
He said the department is currently investigating the circumstances.
As for the squad missing the action at the football game tomorrow, Michael Mattox, a senior from Upton, said, "They were just some kids having fun."
Several recent Nipmuc graduates who returned to visit on their Thanksgiving breaks commented that students drank when they were in high school, but "no one got caught."
One of the graduates, who did not want to be identified, said, "It's high school. In general, drinking in high school happens."
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among youth in the United States, more than tobacco and illicit drugs, and is responsible for more than 4,700 annual deaths among underage youth.
The legal drinking age across the country is 21.
The CDC reports that on average, underage drinkers consume more drinks per drinking occasion than adult drinkers. Twenty-two percent of high school students reported binge drinking in the past 30 days, in a 2011 survey.
Binge drinking is defined for men as consuming five or more drinks in about two hours, and for women as consuming four or more drinks.
In 2010, there were approximately 189,000 emergency rooms visits by persons under age 21 for injuries and other conditions linked to alcohol.
Chief Horn said that he wasn't aware of any situation quite like this in which a whole squad or team was sanctioned for underage drinking.


text:
Ballard Spahr's real estate team played a leading role in laying the groundwork for the Comcast Innovation & Technology Center, the largest private development in the history of Pennsylvania.
The guidance of Ballard Spahr's patent attorneys has helped transform a cutting-edge water purification technology developed by the University of California at Los Angeles into a viable commercial enterprise.
Ballard Spahr client Vanderbilt University is well on its way to finding new ways to treat devastating brain diseases, thanks to a research collaboration agreement it signed with AstraZeneca.
Attorneys in Ballard Spahr's P3/Infrastructure Group represented the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) in a $925 million public-private partnership project (P3) to build high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes and refurbish high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes along 29 miles of Interstate 95 in Virginia.
When Ballard Spahr took on the task of assisting Philadelphia's Water Department in implementing its "Green City, Clean Waters Program," the firm, the Water Department, and the City's Sustainability Office helped the client's finance team demonstrate a surprising truth: sometimes the green approach is often also the most cost-effective.
A team of litigators at Ballard Spahr persuaded the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania to reject the Pennsylvania Insurance Department's efforts to liquidate two long-term care insurance companies.
More than ever before, municipalities in Pennsylvania and across the country are faced with the difficult but necessary challenge of holding the line on labor costs.
In a significant ruling that helps define the rights of mezzanine lenders in a structured finance transaction, an Arizona federal judge agreed with a team of Ballard Spahr attorneys and prevented the proposed sale of a major luxury resort in Tucson.
In a major victory in the OnStar litigation, Ballard Spahr attorneys prevented a potentially massive consumer case from winning class certification.
Ballard Spahr litigation partners M. Norman Goldberger and Laura E. Krabill scored a rare bondholder enforcement victory on behalf of Capital Ventures International (CVI).
Ballard Spahr assisted the client and its affiliates in arranging financing for construction and long-term operation of a 1.5 million-square-foot manufacturing and research facility.
In the largest public-private partnership of its kind in the country, a unique team of federal, state, and local government agencies and a major financial institution pulled together a complex transaction designed to modernize more than 20,000 units.
A New Jersey decision carries a universal reminder that during trial, defense counsel should focus on individual issues of fact that might overtake common issues.
Designated a federal Solar City, the region needed technical and financial assistance in expanding sun power.
A collaboration between the university and Johnson & Johnson will enable Vanderbilt to take its role in developing schizophrenia drugs beyond identifying promising compounds, to the point of human trials.
Lessors were among the winners when the outdoor clothing store emerged from bankruptcy with more than 300 stores remaining open.
Ballard Spahr worked with the Puerto Rico Public Housing Administration to close the largest-ever Low Income Housing Tax Credit transaction.
Copyright © 2020 by Ballard Spahr LLP.


text:
2045 Rouse Creek Court Ann Arbor, MI 48108One : 4209715,
Two : 521257924,
Three : 2097152,
Four : 0,
Five : 0,
Code : 65536
- 6 ##Beds##
- 5 ##Baths##
- Single-Family
To manage reports, go to your Dashboard.
Listing information is provided in part by the IDX program of the Ann Arbor Area Board of REALTORS® MLS. Information being provided on this website is for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information provided is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified.


text:
BOZRAH � A write-in candidate is challenging Bozrah First Selectman Bill Ballinger, who a few weeks ago had no opponent for the town�s top elected position.
Christopher �Kit� Sullivan, 30, said he decided to run after residents asked him to be a candidate.
�Quite a few people in town asked me to run,� he said. �They see the way the town is and think it�s time for a change.�
A Democrat, Sullivan filed paperwork for his run with the secretary of the state and became a registered write-in candidate last week.
�I�ve followed politics my whole life,� Sullivan said. �My family�s been in town for generations. I know what people want and what they don�t want in town.�
Sullivan said he�s not running simply to be another choice on the ballot. He has several things he�d like to change if elected.
The first selectman�s office, he said, doesn�t need two assistant positions.
�For such a small town, it�s not necessary,� he said.
Also, he wants to explore bringing more police patrols to town.
�There�s no police presence here, and that has to change,� he said.
Sullivan is a sales representative for a construction company. He also manages Tollgate Farms, his family�s nursery, in Bozrah.
Tax Collector Nancy Renshaw said Sullivan owes $1,263 in past due automobile taxes for 2007-09. Renshaw said that being in arrears on taxes doesn�t preclude candidates from running for elected office.
Sullivan said he was unaware of owing any back taxes.
�But if I do I�ll take care of it in a second,� he said.
Ballinger, a Democrat, said he is aware that Sullivan was running a write-in campaign.
�People can vote for who they want,� he said. But Ballinger is concerned that, with Sullivan�s name not on the ballot, people will assume the first selectman is unopposed and not vote for the position.
�I just want them to fill in something,� he said. �Don�t leave it blank.�
Sullivan�s candidacy also prompted Ballinger to send out a campaign postcard to residents this week, he said.


text:
Posts Tagged 'memoir'
New: The Last Resort by Douglas Rogers
The Last Resort: A Memoir of Mischief and Mayhem on a Family Farm in Africa
by Douglas Rogers
[Paperback] 317 pages
Lantana Library Call No. 968.91 Rog
Hi to Lantana!
What do we think of when we hear the expression "the last resort" ? Is it
*A last choice or ditch effort, an expedient solution tried if all else fails?
*A place of aid and refuge?
*A popular, luxurious place to visit?
*An incredible course of action — say, a last stand or final opportunity of appeal?
Obviously it means all of the above. One of its more obscure meanings, though, is a reversion to a former state, condition or habit, whether good or bad or in between. All of these meanings, and especially the last, kept me reading Douglas Rogers' The Last Resort, a memoir of his aging parents and their survival in their long declining and failing country and homeland, Zimbabwe.
From the novel's opening, readers realize a kind of "line in the sand" has been drawn by Rogers' parents. They make plans to hang on to their home (a game farm and lodge named Drifters) in ways that neither they nor we the readers know to expect, as hard as they and we the readers try to determine and guess.
Once the foreign tourists stop arriving in the wake of continued white commercial farm invasions by the government and the sponsored war veterans and militas, as well as the national, social, economic, and political upheavals that erupt, Rogers' parents Lyn and Rosalind and their plans shift into gear, changing strategies — first to accommodate displaced local white farmers and then fugitive opposition MDC party activists. All the while, they cope with ordinary every day demands for food, fuel, electricity, communication, security, and news, among other things. Yet, they live for the pleasures too of their neighbors' crops and returned livestock, sports, braais, marriages, births, and the fortunes of family, friends, neighbors, employees and partners. Drifters even becomes for a time a brothel to serve, among others, groups of corrupt and powerful local ruling party politicians, and it becomes a popular watering hole for illicit diamond dealers.
As rule of law wanes, then, ordinary people, Rogers' parents included, prove to be extraordinarily resilient, creative, courageous, and perversely wise. Their story and those of others are all recounted by Rogers most often in a humorously moving, compassionate, and yet disarmingly honest manner.
Many Americans by now know of the tragedy of Zimbabwe and particularly of the tryanny of Robert Mugabe and his ZANU-PF ruling party. Rogers' cast of characters and the bizarre course of events on his parents' farm and lodge resound with much of the darkly cynical and disgustingly brutal stories known to many of us who've followed the news.
And yet, the characters and their stories are strangely funny and refreshingly memorable as well. The patience, tenacity, and of Rogers' parents and their community of friends and neighbors revert to and call upon are unshakeable and unmistakable. They all find ways to survive and even thrive in a country where formal economic activities, lawful property ownership, and local currency have all precipitously fallen away (for instance, Zimbabwean inflation as recently as 2008, running in the millions). My comments here all the beg the question. Zimbabweans in Zimbabwe may still live varied, full, rich lives that outsiders cannot always see.
Readers can compare Rogers' work alongside other Zimbabwean memoirs to emerge in recent years — and there have been many — including Alexandra Fuller's Don't Let's Go Down to the Dogs (Tonight), Peter Godwin's Mukiwa and When a Crocodile Eats the Sun, Jill Baker's Beloved African, Geoff Nyarota's Against the Grain, and Angus Shaw's Kandaya: another time, another place — to name only a few! On the web, there are the posts of Cathy Buckle and her writing. Rogers' memoir, however, is somewhat unusual, for as he returns to visit his parents and Drifters, he discovers the home of his childhood in the manner of a traveller. (There is even now a filmed documentary of the Drifters currently in production.)
On a personal note: more than any other work on Zimbabwe in recent years, Douglas Rogers makes me wish to return there to visit, and to shed some of the curiously displaced, in-exile mindset I've always had as a child born of diplomats. I look to gain another mindset, not of my childhood, but somehow a more re-connected one with my past life. (For my parents, siblings and I, as well as in-laws, have watched Zimbabwe from a far for years, having made our home there and in neighboring countries of the region for so long (from 1971—2008); we remember all too well what was and what has happened in recent years there.) I do wonder if Zimbabwean friends of mine on Facebook, some of them now citizens or residents of other countries, and others still home in Zim, to some degree feel some disconnect or separation as I do.
I think Zimbabwe poet Chenjerai Hove in his Poem for Zimbabwe (in his work, Blind Moon) profoundly expresses some of what I wish for: "but with time you will hear your voice in the blue skies of my heart."
Zimbabwe, and my few friends there, alive and gone, in touch or out of touch, still stay with me, and maybe I with them, here in South Florida.


text:
An employee of a daycare center in Southampton has allegedly stolen more than $500,000 from the bank account that the center uses. Holy cow! I had no idea there was that much money in the daycare business.
A man in Montauk was caught with an unlawful amount of marijuana on his person after police observed him in his car and could smell the smoke of marijuana coming out of the window while he was parked at the beach.
A man sitting in his car at the beach in the middle of the wintertime in Montauk was smoking marijuana? Shocking!!! In other news, the sky is blue.
Shelter Island
Old Man McGumbus, 107 and former World War II P-29 aircraft engineer, was flying his personal airplane over Shelter Island last week. McGumbus, who owns a Cessna aircraft, had a sign attached to the back of the plane that read, "Dear Hippies, Please Go Away, Nobody Wants You On Shelter Island. This Is America God Damn It!" McGumbus was circling the island just over Coecles Harbor when he had engine trouble. He was heard over the emergency airwaves stating, "I'M HIT! I'M HIT! I'M GOING DOWN! I'M GOING DOWN!"
McGumbus, who is an expert pilot, navigated his plane successfully over the Shelter Island Pancake Factory, which is owned by Sunshine Flower (yes that is his legal name) and crash-landed his plane directly into the small warehouse where all of the pancake flour is housed. The padding from the pancake flour saved his life. "YOU DID THIS ON PURPOSE YOU BIG JERK!" Flower was heard saying. McGumbus responded to Flower by yelling back, "YOU GOD DAMN HIPPIE!!!" and set fire to the warehouse with a match. The entire island smelled of deliciously fresh pancakes. A fistfight between McGumbus and Flower ensued, but it was broken up quickly.
A creepy man in Southampton was walking up to children, shaking their hands and wishing them all Merry Christmas. OH GROW UP FOLKS, that was just a guy dressed up like Santa Claus and it is a wonderful thing for everyone!!!
Every Day I'm Shuffling
Three men on the North Fork were seen dancing in the middle of the street and singing the words, "Every day I'm shuffling…shuffling, shufflin'" No arrests were made, but this actually happened, and yes, I think it's awesome.


text:
Fresh Thai Fruit And Vegetables Delivered To Your Door Every Wednesday - CALL US ON 07500 222125
Asian & Thai Food Store
Recently added item(s) ×
0 items in your shopping basket.
Mama Instant Cup Noodles (Beef Flavour) easy to prepare, and ready to be served in only 3 minutes
This instant pot noodles comes with a handy fork inside,
Which makes for a really quick and enjoyable snack on the go.
Mama makes a wide variety of popular instant cup noodles such as, chicken flavour and pork flavour
Tom yum flavour is certainly one of the family favourites for its spicyness,. Every bowl is eaten quickly.
Every package comes with three different spice packets.
Just add boiling hot water to the noodles and spices, cover and set for a few minutes.
Instant Cup Noodles (beef flavour)
1. Open lid partly and add seasoning into the cup
2. Pour in boiling water to fill up to the inside line
3. Cover the lid and wait for 3 minutes.
Stir and enjoy your delicious Mama
Wheat Flour (78%), Palm Oil, Salt, Sugar, Dried Vegetables (Carrot, Leek), Textured Soy Protein, Spice, Flavouring (Milk Protein) (0.84%), Flavour Enhancers (E621, E635), Acidity Regulators (E500, E501, E451), Chilli Powder, Tapioca Starch, Colour (Plain Caramel), Thickener (E466), Soy Sauce (Soy bean, Water, Salt).
May Contain Traces Of Egg, Milk Fish Sesame, Celery, And Mollusc
Allergens in bold
Be the first to review this product
UK Delivery:
Under 2kg: £3.99 delivery within 2-4 working days from dispatch.
Up to 25kg: £5.99 delivery within 2-4 working days from dispatch.
Over 25kg: £11.99 delivery within 2-4 working days from dispatch.
Over 50kg: £17.99 delivery within 2-4 working days from dispatch.
If you need a product urgently, please call us +44 (0)1273 699911 to check stock levels, availability and dispatch time. We would hate for you to be disappointed if things didn't happen as you had expected without speaking to one of the team first.
Out of stock
Check items to add to the cart or select all
Mama Instant Cup Noodles (Pork Flavour) 70g มาม่าคัพ รสหมูสับ Pack Of 12
Mama Instant Cup Noodles (Chicken Flavour) 70g มาม่าคัพ รสไก่ Pack Of 12
Please wait...
{{var product.name}} was added to your basket.
{{var product.name}} was removed from your basket.


text:
- About
- Properties
- Arlington International
- Calder Casino
- Churchill Downs Racetrack
- Derby City Gaming
- Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
- Harlow's Casino Resort and Spa
- Miami Valley Gaming
- Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin
- Oxford Casino Hotel
- Ocean Downs
- Riverwalk Casino Hotel
- Presque Isle Downs & Casino
- Twinspires.com
- United Tote
- BetAmerica
- Leadership
- News
- Investors
- Careers
- Foundation
- Magazine
Company Info
One signature race…
Two iconic Spires…
More than a century of grand tradition and spectacle…
And that's just the opening chapter of the Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) story.
The Evolution of CDI
CDI's history is well-known. Its namesake racetrack, Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Ky., opened in 1875 and during its inaugural race meet featured two races, the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, which still highlight Churchill Downs' live racing calendar today.
Today, the Twin Spires still proudly reign over Churchill Downs' homestretch, and Kentucky Derby champions race by these architectural features turned trademarks on their way to the finish line, the Winner's Circle and the history books.
As the Kentucky Derby legacy has evolved over 130-plus years, so has CDI's stable of businesses. The publicly traded company has evolved from one world-famous venue in Central Kentucky to the United States' premier racing, gaming and entertainment company with a myriad of holdings, including:
- Five racetracks;
- Eight casinos;
- The country's leading online wagering business, TwinSpires.com;
- A video poker business
- A multi-state network of off-track betting (OTB) facilities; and
- A collection of racing-related data, totalisator and telecommunication companies that support CDI's sports and gaming operations.
CDI now employs more than 5,000 people and maintains physical operations in eleven states: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, and Washington.
Growth Through Diversification
CDI's continued growth over the decades has come through continued diversification:
- Adding slot-machine gaming and video poker operations at racetracks where alternative gaming is authorized;
- Acquiring two casino resorts in the Mississippi Delta region and one in Maine;
- Building and acquiring online gaming platforms and deploying mobile wagering technologies that provide convenient and cost-efficient ways to distribute and process wagers on racing content; and
- Using increased cash flow to pay down debt and invest in new or ancillary businesses that fit with our company's core skill sets and customer value proposition.
CDI's growth-through-diversification strategy has well served the company and its shareholders by allowing the company to broaden its focus and hedge its investment in its traditional domain of horse racing.
For example, as new laws have allowed it, CDI has built and opened slot-machine gaming operations affiliated with its racetracks in Miami Gardens, Fla., and New Orleans, La. CDI's "racinos" offer gaming positions as well as dining and entertainment options with a local focus and flavor. Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots is only minutes from New Orleans famed French Quarter and treats visitors to a Mardi Gras-style gaming experience. Calder Casino showcases the sultry South Florida vibe and features slot-machine gaming and a poker room. Both facilities target customers in their respective regional markets. In addition, CDI's 50 percent owned joint venture, Miami Valley Gaming and Racing LLC, is currently constructing a video lottery terminal and harness racing facility in southwest Ohio.
Online Gaming
CDI's launch of TwinSpires.com, an advance-deposit waging platform that allows customers to wager on horse racing from computers, tablet devices and smart phones, created another retail outlet for wagering transactions and data distribution. Now customers can place wagers at their convenience, any time, any place and anywhere it's authorized through the device of their choosing. CDI has added to TwinSpires.com's reach through the acquisitions of additional account-wagering and data companies, including AmericaTAB and Brisnet.com in June 2007 and Youbet.com in June 2010. CDI's investment in online wagering technology and customer support systems also positions the company to take advantage of additional Internet gaming opportunities, such as online poker, as those activities are authorized at the state or federal level.
Through its purchase of Youbet.com, CDI also acquired United Tote, a U.S.-based totalizator company that designs, manufactures and operates parimutuel wagering systems for more than 150 racing companies and numerous OTB facilities in North America and around the world, in 2010. United Tote has provided CDI with additional opportunities to realize efficiencies through new technology and innovation, with recently launched applications like FastBet™ wagering accounts. FastBet™ allows customers to avoid long lines at the mutuel windows and place on-track wagers from their cell phones or other mobile devices.
Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks
When it comes to its traditional horse racing business, CDI continues to identify innovative ways to grow the economic significance of marquee events, such as the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks.
Kentucky Derby Week now features a string of festivities, starting with "Opening Night," a special night racing event that kicks off Churchill Downs' Spring Meet with red-carpet arrivals and a tribute to Louisville's vibrant arts culture. Kentucky Derby Week has added ancillary events that connect back to Derby brand attributes such as fashion, celebrities and great food and hospitality. "Taste of Derby," held on the eve of the Kentucky Oaks, is a fundraiser showcasing fine cuisine and celebrity chefs from racing destinations around the country.
Kentucky Derby Week rounds out with Friday's Kentucky Oaks "Pink Out," benefiting Derby Divas and Norton Cancer Institute. The Kentucky Oaks Survivors' Parade for breast cancer survivors provides an emotional high point for the day that celebrates women and health issues important to them, while the Kentucky Oaks fashion contest helps put "Ladies First" by rewarding guests for their stylish ensembles.
The first Saturday in May brings the world's premier race for Thoroughbreds, the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, along with all the Red Carpet pageantry that leads up to the "Run for the Roses." Worldwide exposure for the Kentucky Derby experience has grown in recent years through the expanded broadcast coverage of the Kentucky Derby under card and main event on NBC Sports and its cable partners, as well as through the extension of the Kentucky Derby Party program, which helps racing enthusiasts who can't make it to Churchill Downs for Derby Day still celebrate in style with tips for throwing an authentic Kentucky Derby party at home.
A Proud Past and Vibrant Future
CDI owes much to its horse racing heritage and is expanding on that tradition while evolving its business mix, management team and growth strategies to navigate any challenges we encounter. Our growth-through-diversification strategy allows us to push boundaries and increase profitability while still being true to our roots and what has made the Churchill Downs brand one of the best in the business.
Much has changed since that first Kentucky Derby Day in 1875, but one thing hasn't: our commitment to building a profitable, vibrant company that is valued by our customers, investors, employees and business and community partners for generations to come. After more than a century of growth and progress, the Churchill Downs Incorporated story continues. We encourage you to discover the next chapter with us!


text:
There's no right or wrong place to craft words and music together - just the one that works for you. That comfort zone might be bang in the middle of a sandbox in an ocean facing front room or it might be around the fire in a cut off cottage on the edge of Wales' green desert. Or it might be right there in your childhood bedroom in your mum's house in West Kirby. For Bill Ryder-Jones, that room acted as a retreat; a place to make everything make sense. It was where his immaculate new LP was conceived and recorded.
"I used the term 'bedroom boys' a lot when I'm talking about my music. I make music in a bedroom for people to listen in their bedrooms. I don't think that's anything to be ashamed about. I love the sound I get in that room; I think the place helps me create a different kind of intimacy in the music. And I always think lyrically, you're going to be much more confident walking round naked in your bedroom than you are walking round your mate's living room."
Whatever went down in that bedroom (naked or not), it shaped West Kirby County Primary - Bill Ryder-Jones' third solo record. Lyrically, the ten songs are made up of pin sharp, thoughtful and sometimes painfully honest observations. Sonically, it veers from shared-sofa closeness to overdriven, chaotic, speaker-blowing hugeness – a sound so full it's scarcely believable it was achieved in the upstairs room of a family semi.
While Bill previously described his last record (2013's A Bad Wind Blows In My Heart) as having been inspired by the feeling of being between "the ages of eight and fourteen and that couple of hours after school before you've been called in", West Kirby County Primary finds the writer in a very different place. Here, lovers are caught in tempestuous, doomed voyeuristic relationships where "desperate times call for desperate pleasures" (Two To Birkenhead) and "a lasting glance is turned missed chance as fortune favours everyone but me" (Wild Roses); street life is dreamily observed from a perch somewhere in the city centre (Catherine and Huskisson) and tragedy and loss is forensically raked over (Daniel). The intensely private nature of some of the songs on West Kirby County Primary came from periods of harsh self-analysis.
"I'd find myself sat on my sofa at home with a headful of regret the day after a big piss up or some mad party or other. A lot of the lyrics for the record came from times like that; they tend to push a lot of emotion up and set off a lot of questioning at the front of my mind. I end up thinking 'what is my life about, what do I even do?' From there, things just seem to flow out."
That flow would come long after a set of songs written and demoed in the wake of the critical success of A Bad Wind Blows In My Heart were culled - victims of that same maddening streak of self-criticism.
"I shelved a load of songs that I wrote immediately after the last record. I didn't know what to do with them; I just didn't think they were good enough. In January, I went back and found two songs - Daniel and Satellites – that I thought were worth trying again. From there the bulk of the album was written and recorded in a month. The newer songs dealt with situations that have happened in the last couple of years - they're not nostalgic in the way that some of the songs on A Bad Wind Blows In My Heart are. The songs deal with what I'm preoccupied with at the time of writing. They end up documenting feelings that aren't always admirable. It's a bit like a photo album – in some pictures you've got a shit haircut, others you've got a fat chin. Then there's a few where you might look fantastic. At the end of the day though, they're all you..."
Of all of the songs on the record, it's the rescued song Satellites that best documents the writer's sometimes-troubled inner-monologue. Dealing with a medical condition Bill has dealt with throughout adult life, the song sets a deeply personal situation to music that goes from gorgeously reflective to a coruscating coda that shimmers and explodes like space debris burning up on re-entry.
"Satellites is my favourite thing I've ever written. It describes a genuine situation. The lyric - 'My satellite's took rust/I'm stranded in the dark' - is me writing about a condition I've got, a dissociative disorder where I switch off completely and can't believe things are real. It's about my ex-girlfriend trying to reason with me ('You saved me with the thought that something somewhere must be happening'). That song is a set of feelings I was having and the reaction of someone who I loved dearly trying to help."
In different hands or in different times, the comfort of the bedroom and the deep analytical thought process behind the songs could combine to create an impenetrable and doomy record. But West Kirby County Primary – recorded and produced almost entirely solo, mixed with James Ford (Arctic Monkeys, Foals) and given finishing touches at Liverpool's Parr Street studio - is very far from that. Here, the music provides a crucial, often-forceful counterbalance to the soul-searching lyrics. For Bill, it was about bucking ingrained songwriting wisdom.
"When you first start out learning music at school, you're taught that major chords are uplifting and minor ones will always signify sadness. I think when people use major chords combined with sad lyrics, it produces something incredible. Bands like the Velvet Underground, Joy Division, the Bunnymen, Pavement, people like Euros Childs and Gorky's, Gruff Rhys and the Super Furries… none of them have been afraid to mix things up; they've all ended up being inspirational on my songwriting in their own ways."
If it takes influence from some of those artists, West Kirby County Primary rarely shows it. The whole thing feels like an invitation to a private world; one where the songwriter has gone through a process of painstakingly detailing his thoughts, his failings, his hopes and fears and allowed the listener to eavesdrop. And it's a record that should see Bill Ryder-Jones taking his rightful place alongside that long and distinguished list of the great songwriters of the North West. One last thing – with an album born from a place of almost forensic scrutiny, what's the significance of the title?
"I just liked the way those four words sounded together. Nothing more really."
At the end of the day, maybe it's best not to overthink things. Whatever works for you.
- Bill Ryder-Jones Shares new song 'Out of the Dark' featuring on West Kirby County Primary bonus edition
- Bill Ryder-Jones shares video for new single Wild Roses, new album West Kirby County Primary out now, forthcoming headline dates include London's Scala March 3rd, tickets on sale now
- Bill Ryder-Jones streams new album 'West Kirby County Primary', shares new video for Catharine and Huskisson
- Bill Ryder-Jones shares video for new track Satellites, further UK headline dates announced, new album West Kirby County Primary our November 6th
- Bill Ryder-Jones to release new album, 'West Kirby County Primary', on 6th November 2015
- Bill Ryder-Jones announces December UK tour
- Bill Ryder-Jones Launches Video For New Single 'Wild Swans'
- Bill Ryder-Jones to release 'He Took You In His Arms'
- Bill Ryder-Jones live dates
- Bill Ryder-Jones Launches Video For 'He Took You In His Arms'


text:
Stan Williams, HP's memristor guru, announced at the International Electronics Forum being held in Seville, Spain, that a the two terminal memristor technology will be taking market share away from flash memory within 18 months. "We have big plans for it and we're working with Hynix Semiconductor to launch a replacement for flash in the summer of 2013 and to also address the solid-state drive market," Williams related to the audience.
Williams further explained that the results achieved by the technology in areas of write current, read and write time and retention proved too compelling not to take to market. Williams is not shy about commanding further market technology share either, stating, "So in 2014/2015 we'll be going after DRAM and after that the SRAM market."
HP-Hynix MemRistor under the microscope
HP has now amassed over 500 patents on the technology to date. Williams made light of the fact that phase-change-memory [PCM], resistive-RAM [RRAM] and other two-terminal devices are all memristor type devices. Williams acknowledged that other companies are busy working on metal-oxide resistive RAMs, in fact, he mentioned that Samsung has a bigger team working on the project than does HP-Hynix.
The specifications so far are impressive with read times in the sub 10 nanoseconds with write/erase times around 0.1 ns. Endurance date, still being collected, indicates 10^12 cycles and retention in the order of years. And cost? – an order of magnitude lower once non-recurring costs are eliminated. Williams pointed out that it is the simple structure of the device made using common materials already in use in the world's wafer fabs that make the CMOS compatible memristor a relatively straight forward manufacturing proposition. He did allow that the first product offering would be a multi-layer device.
SOC Integration
The memristor technology is termed a BEOL [Back-End-Of-Line] technology indicating that its ability to be placed on top of logic circuitry. This is especially important for SOC application and according to Williams "will buy us about twenty years of Moore' Law".
Williams provided his glimpse of the future for memristor in which its use as a Boolean logic element reducing the footprint of the gate area now required using CMOS logic. Further, he mentioned that it is also a good analog of the brain's synapse function.
Williams ended stressing that HP is not planning to enter the semiconductor components business but is acting as an agent for commercialization and will license the technology to all applicants.
BSN* Take
Several weeks ago, at the Flash Memory Summit, there was a decidedly negative cast of opinion as to the future of resistive memory. A strong push by the STT magnetic RAM developers at the meeting may have been responsible as there was also rumor that something big was about to be announced regarding the resistive memory and this was the usual knee jerk reaction.
There is the question of the stability of the environment at HP, William's employer. HP Labs, allowed by corporate neglect to dwindle over time to a mere shadow of its former glory is in need of a raison d'être. Generation of a revenue stream through licensing is certainly a positive way to justify one's existence.
When looking at the picture that is coming into focus, BSN* views this announcement as a pivotal turning point in the semiconductor memory and storage marketplaces. Unified memory, long a system designers dream is very near to becoming the "instant on" memory for the masses?,


text:
Warranty Info
Gerber's 25 Year Warranty guarantees to the consumer that this product will be free of defects, in material and workmanship for the designated warranty timeframe. This warranty does not cover damage due to rust, accident, loss, improper use, loss, abuse, negligence, or modification of or to any part of the product. Normal wear and tear is not covered under the warranty. If the product failed while being used as it was intended to be used, we will service under the warranty. At Gerber's option, defective product will be repaired, replaced, or substituted with a product of equal value.
For all warranty claims in the United States + Canada, please submit a claim here
Warranty FAQ
I do not live in the United States. Is there a place I can return my Gerber for warranty repair?
Currently, we are only completing repairs at our main factory in Portland, Oregon. Please refer to our warranty section for warranty coverage and the address to return the product.
I returned my Gerber for warranty, how long will it take until I have my Gerber back?
Normal turnaround time is approximately Three to Four weeks. During the late summer and early winter, the turnaround time can be upwards of six to eight weeks during the hunting and holiday seasons.
If you use stainless steel, why has rust occurred on my Gerber product?
Our products use a 100% high-grade stainless steel. Stainless steel is not completely resistant to rust, but rather is more corrosion resistant to rust. Corrosion can occur in the absence of proper maintenance. Your Gerber product should be cleaned, dried, and re-oiled periodically to inhibit rust and corrosion; this is especially true in a damp or marine environment. If your Gerber product comes in contact with any substance that you are uncertain about, it is always a good idea to wash your blade off with tap water, dry it, and apply a light coat of oil. If your Gerber product comes into contact with saltwater you must flush it with tap water immediately after use and coat it with a good quality lightweight oil. Salt water is extremely corrosive and will attack and destroy any type of steel. After cleaning, re-oil your Gerber product with a good gun oil or 3-in-1 oil. Buff stained areas with a polishing cloth or a non-metallic scouring pad.
My Gerber product was lost or stolen. Will you replace it?
Sorry, but stolen or lost products are not covered under the warranty. Our warranty covers material and manufacturing defects.
I broke a blade and would like to replace the part myself, can you send me the part I need or can I get it from a Gerber retailer?
For liability reasons, we do not sell or send individual blades, jaws, or bits, anything that would require disassembly of the product, through the mail. Our products are designed to be disassembled by our factory-trained personnel only. Repaired tools are reassembled by our personnel to ensure the most optimum tool performance. Attempting to disassemble your Gerber product yourself could result in lost components, compromise tool functionality and void the warranty.
The pocket clip on my Gerber knife broke, how could I get a replacement?
We can send you a replacement pocket clip, pocket clip screws, and/or handle screws on applicable products. Please email email@example.com , and provide your name, address, phone number, the model of knife, and the requested parts.
I own a Gerber Multi-Plier and want a different blade installed in place of another part, can this be done?
Each model of Multi-Plier contains a group of tools that are designed to meet the needs of a vast array of interests and needs. We cannot substitute different blades or tools from one model to another.
If you cannot send replacement blades, can you send me the c-clip, spring, button that are used to retract the pliers?
Yes, that does not require disassembly of the Multi-Plier to repair. Please email us at firstname.lastname@example.com . Please provide your name, address, phone number, the model of Multi-Plier, and the requested parts.
The black finish on my blade is peeling or coming off? Is there anything I can do? Will Gerber Blades warranty the finish or refinish the product?
A black Teflon or black oxide coating is applied to some knife blades for ornamental reasons. Continued rubbing on a sheath or pants pocket will cause the coating to wear through over time and that is considered normal wear and tear. The black Teflon or black oxide coating can be scratched off if the blade comes in contact with a hard metal objects which would not be covered by warranty. If the black Teflon or black oxide coating is peeling off and there are no signs of scratching or abrasion, then the coating is defective. There is no way to repair the coating. Blade replacement is the only solution.
The triangular tungsten carbide cutters on my Gerber Multi-Plier have worn out or broke, where can I get replacements?
The carbide cutter inserts are the same cutters used on lathes, mills, and CNC machines used in the metal fabrication industry. These parts are proprietary and cannot be found in industrial stores or machine shops. These are machined specifically at Gerber. For a list of retailers that offer these parts, please email firstname.lastname@example.com .