Op-Ed

Beyond the Rhetoric: The Games in Federal Procurement

Published

11 years ago

May 11, 2015

By Harry C. Alford
NNPA Columnist

Our federal government is the biggest consumer of supplies and services in the world. Its procurement laws are immense and require a lot of policing and updating. Within that system, Congress has the responsibility of ensuring that these laws are just and enforced. However, our courts are filled with cases of abuse, collusion and bribery. Right now, in the telecom industry our Congress is investigating the possibility of such a case.

Spectrum is the electro-magnetic system of sending airwaves through the air and into televisions and computer screens. This is the lifeblood of the industry. It is vital that each company in this industry has ample stock of Spectrum. As the outdated analog televisions are closing down, Spectrum becomes available for broadband use and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) holds auctions to sell it to the highest bidders.

As a means to make way for small businesses, including minority and women-owned firms, the federal government will sometimes provide set-asides or preferences to such firms so that they can compete against much larger corporations. If properly administered, this can be successful and provide new jobs and revenue in communities that are underserved and disadvantaged. But sometimes things go wrong via greedy “robber barons” activity and collusion.

Right now, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation is looking at activity that occurred during Spectrum Auction 97. There were two competing “Very Small Businesses” in the competition. Northstar Wireless and SNR were these two entities. It turns out that the majority of their ownership actually belongs to the DISH Network, a $32 billion giant in the telecom business. Thus, in reality these two aforementioned firms did not belong in this competition as very small businesses. By being in that category they would receive a discounted cost of 25 percent on any bids they would win.

So here goes the alleged scheme. DISH would fiercely enter into each bid, all the while Northstar and SNR were also in it. As the bidding whittled down the competitors, there would be only three left – DISH, Northstar and SNR. At that time, DISH would suddenly withdraw and either of the other two would win the bid. In essence, DISH was steering who would win and there would also be a 25 percent discount. Besides getting the bids, DISH was getting a whopping $3.3 billion discount and 702 new licenses. Small African American firms can’t win in games like this.

The following comes via a formal notice of investigation from the Senate Commerce Sub-Committee to the three subject companies: “In the end, DISH did not win a single spectrum license. Very small businesses Northstar and SNR, however, won 702 spectrum licenses, representing over 40% of the total licenses on auction, at a cost of $13.3 billion. As DISH owns an 85% ownership stake in both companies, it is no surprise that news reports on Auction 97 often cite DISH as a big winner. In addition, the 25% discount on the licenses to which Northstar and SNR may be entitled would amount to $3.3 billion.”

The practical effect of the bidding activity of DISH, Northstar, and SNR may have been to suppress rival bidders. Many of these rival bidders were small rural wireless companies, and some of them were not even eligible for a discount under the FCC’s small business discount program. In fact, several small rural telcos indicated in a recent FCC filing that DISH, Northstar and SNR bidding against each other in the same market during Auction 97 had a “devastating impact” on the vast majority of small rural telcos. The small telcos contend that multiple identical bids by DISH, Northstar, and SNR gave a distorted impression of heavier competition than actually existed and effectively pushed small companies out of the auction.”

Yes, this time it looks like a real investigation is going down and those who attempted to be slick are going to pay the price. DISH and its subsidiaries may have to pay hefty fines and some of their executives may have to do some time. But yet, small firms, including minority owned firms are still out of the opportunities that may have existed. Perhaps a class action lawsuit should be considered if it is determined that crimes were committed. That would send word out to others who might want to game the system at the expense of the pure-at-heart.

While the investigation proceeds, Congress should move the small business programs at the FCC to the responsibility of the Small Business Administration. The SBA is more equipped to police this and also deliver the full intent of Congress which is to invigorate small business with revenue and jobs. We must learn to stop playing these games!!!

Harry C. Alford is the co-founder, President/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce®. Website: www.nationalbcc.org Email: halford@nationalbcc.org.

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Related Topics:beyond the rhetoric Dish Network FCC Harry C. Alford Small business

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Alameda County

Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

4 days ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

Oakland Post

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Activism

Essay: Intentional Self Care and Community Connections Can Improve Our Wellbeing

At the deepest and also most expansive level of reality, we are all part of the same being, our bodies made from the minerals of the earth, our spirits infused by the spiritual breath that animates the universe. Willingness to move more deeply into fear and pain is the first step toward moving into a larger consciousness. Willingness to move beyond the delusion of our separateness can show us new ways of working and living together.

Published

1 month ago

October 27, 2025

Oakland Post

Lorraine Bonner is a retired physician. She is also a sculptor who works in clay, exploring issues of trust, trustworthiness and exploitation, as well as visions of a better world.

By Dr. Lorraine Bonner, Special to California Black Media Partners

I went to a medical school that was steeped in the principles of classical Western medicine. However, I also learned mindfulness meditation during that time, which opened me to the multifaceted relationship between illnesses and the interconnecting environmental, mental and emotional realities that can impact an individual’s health.

Therefore, when I began to practice medicine, I also pursued training in hypnosis, relaxation techniques, meditation, and guided imagery, to bring a mind-body focus to my work in medical care and prevention.

The people I saw in my practice had a mix of problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and a variety of pain issues. I taught almost everyone relaxation breathing and made some general relaxation tapes. To anyone willing, I offered guided imagery.

“My work embraced an approach to wellness I call “Liberatory Health” — one that not only addresses the treatment and management of disease symptoms but also seeks to dismantle the conditions that make people sick in the first place.”

From my perspective, illness is only the outermost manifestation of our efforts to cope, often fueled by addictions such as sugar, tobacco, or alcohol, shackled by an individualistic cult belief that we have only ourselves to blame for our suffering.

To put these ideas into practical form, I would quote the immortal Mr. Rogers: “Find the helpers.” There are already people in every community working for liberation. Some of them are running for office, others are giving food to those who need it. Some are volunteering in schools, libraries or hospitals. Some are studying liberation movements, or are working in urban or community gardens, or learning to practice restorative and transformative justice, or creating liberation art, music, dance, theater or writing. Some are mentoring high schoolers or apprenticing young people in a trade. There are many places where compassionate humans are finding other humans and working together for a better world.

A more compassionate world is possible, one in which we will all enjoy better health. Creating it will make us healthier, too.

In community, we are strong. Recognizing denial and overcoming the fragmenting effects of spiritual disorder offer us a path to liberation and true health.

Good health and well-being are the collective rights of all people!

About the Author

Dr. Lorraine Bonner is a retired physician. She is also a sculptor who works in clay, exploring issues of trust, trustworthiness and exploitation, as well as visions of a better world.

Oakland Post

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Activism

Opinion: Can Donald Trump Pole Dance?

Given all that is happening, if the presidency was more like pole dancing, you know Trump would be flat on his butt.

Published

3 months ago

September 14, 2025

Oakland Post

iStock.

By Emil Guillermo

The news cycle has been buzzing the last few weeks. Xi, with Putin and Kim, the sweethearts of Trump carousing alone without him? The victims of the pedophile Epstein speaking out publicly in DC.

Then, there’s the release of that salacious letter Donald Trump allegedly wrote to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump said the letter didn’t exist. But it does.

Timing is everything.

Additionally, there are further concerns, such as the Supreme Court removing restrictions on ICE interactions. ICE Agents can stop anyone now. For any reason. And there’s the threat of the U.S. sending the military to fight crime in Chicago. Trump even posted a meme of himself as a character in “Apocalypse Now.”

All that with bad polls and bad economic numbers, and these topics are dominating the news cycle — Trump era chaos.

Given all that is happening, if the presidency was more like pole dancing, you know Trump would be flat on his butt.

The reality is the opposite. He keeps going strong like nothing’s happened. Inexplicably, Trump always seems to defy gravity.

That’s why to reassure myself with reality, I just think of Trump on a pole. Dancing. He was born on Flag Day, after all.

I’ve got pole dancing on my mind because I’m in Canada at the Vancouver Fringe Festival doing my show, “Emil Amok 69, Everything’s Flipped,” about how the current political situation gets very personal.

Get tickets here if you’re near:

I’ve performed at 16 fringe festivals, and I always look for unique performers. This year, in my same venue (the Revue Stage) I found her in a show, “The Pole Shebang.”

Andrea James Lui may look like a typical Asian American at first.

But she’s Asian Canadian, married to an Australian, who now lives down under.

At the Vancouver Fringe, she highlights her special identity.

Pole Dancer

Yes, pole dancing has come to the fringe. Leave your dollar bills at home, this is not that kind of pole dancing.

This is more Cirque Du Soleil-ish- acrobatic stuff, yet it’s hard to deny the sexiness when a woman flawlessly swings from a pole with her legs apart.

The show is more intriguing than it is titillating.

Lui has created a behind-the-scenes look at the “polar” experience.

“She could have been a physicist,” says her big sister Christina, who despite saying that, supports her sister 100 percent.

Lui touches on some of the emotional depth in the poled subculture. But there’s plenty more to mine in the future. “Polar Bare,” the Musical? I’d see it.

Trump on a Pole

So that’s how I’ve come to the polar metaphor.

As Trump flails in the news, I picture him on a pole.

The letter to Epstein is further proof of the character of the man.

Will he stay afloat?

Not if the presidency were more like pole dancing.

You can’t lie on the pole.

That’s one way all of us in the Trump era can get to the truth.

About the Author

Emil Amok is a veteran journalist, commentator, and stage monologist. He has written a weekly column on Asian Americans for more than 30 years.

Contact: www.amok.com