Federal Regulators are apparently investigating how AF Chief of Staff T. Michael Moseley awarded a $49 million video contract to cronies at Strategic Message Solutions despite the fact that SMS did not qualify for the award. Not only was SMS the high bid for the Thunderbird project, it also did not meet the eligibility requirements.
Retired Gen Hal M. Hornburg now works for Ed Shipley at SMS.
SMS has lawsuits against its competitors (for crying "foul") and the Air Force.
Here is a quote from Robert Anglen's piece in the Arizona Republic (3-5-06):
Shipley said he was "unequivocally selected" by Moseley last March, about four months before the Air Force put the contract up for bid. At the time, Shipley said he was asked: "how much, how soon."
"Gen. Moseley immediately procured $8.5 million . . . to fund this revolutionary, unique project," Shipley said in a U.S. District Court lawsuit. "Gen. Moseley's support of Shipley was echoed by Maj. Gen. (Stephen) Goldfein and the Thunderbird commander, Lt. Col. Michael Chandler."
Shipley's claims are bolstered by documents that show Moseley and other commanders started seeking ways to contract with SMS amid growing concerns over who should pay for the work and whether the contract could legally be awarded without going out for bid.
...The contract called for SMS to create an elaborate video promotion called "Thundervision" to accompany the Thunderbirds aerobatic performances at air shows across the country.
http://www.airforcetimes.com/...