Date   : Fri, 16 Dec 1983 0755-:00CST
From   : Doug <HUNEYCUTT@GUNTER-ADAM>
Subject: AF/Navy contract misconceptions

I'd like to take some time to quash some rumors that are flying recently
about the Zenith/AF/Navy contract signed on 3 Oct 83.  

  There were 32 proposals evaluated by a huge number of people...technicians,
cost analysts, contract specialists, and such.

  The number was reduced to 15 because of problems with some of the proposals,
like not supporting a mandatory requirement, etc.  All (thats <<ALL>>) of the
remaining 15 met the requirements of our specifications.  There was a wide
range of machines left in evaluations, some technically poor and one that was
far ahead of the rest (technically), with an 8086 instead of 8088, 8MHz 
instead of 5MHz, etc.  They did not win.

  In the same general class at the end were:  1) the Z-100, 2) the PC-XT, 
3) the TI Professional, and a few others.

IT ALL CAME DOWN TO COST, FOLKS!!!!  The Z-100 was the best machine for the
price.  Do you honestly think that the same government that sent men to the
moon in the arms of the lowest bidder would buy anything but the best buy
in computers???

By the way, recent messages about items being added to the contract contain
both good and bad information.  The only advice I can give for possible GEA
(personal) buyers is....DONT ACCEPT RUMORS AS TRUE UNTIL ADVISED BY GEA!

Doug