Nasa's Change to the CEV Plan

(from Spaceref)
As per Mike Griffin's request, NASA is setting up a Exploration Systems Architecture Study to speed up the development of the CEV so that there is no gap between the last shuttle launch and CEV LEO capability. The study should be done in mid-July.

I don't have any issues with that. However, I thought this was interesting.

To facilitate minimizing the gap, up to two contracts are expected to be awarded prior to completion of the Exploration Systems Architecture Study. Following these awards a "Call for Improvements" (CFI) based on the results of the Exploration Systems Architecture Study will be issued to the selected contractor(s). CFI proposals will be evaluated for a final down-select decision to a single contractor expected in early 2006.

So they are giving the two contracts out sooner than originally planed. It was originally September. NASA selects two contractors based on plan that they is going to change, and then tell those two contractors to adapt their plan to the new requirements. The problem is, how do you know the two contractors you select would still be the best choice after the new study is done? Perhaps one of the other companies would do a better job.

I hired a contractor to build a farm house in the country, knowing I was going to change my mind. Then tell them one month later, I wanted a town house in mid-town, that would be a bad move. Maybe another contractor would be better for an urban development.

I guess they don't think the study is going to make that drastic of a change...

In unrelated news, does anyone know what happened to Hoppyspace.com? It seems to have been taken over by adware this evening...