Northern Ireland Between 1963 and 1972 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Northern Ireland Between 1963 and 1972 - Essay Example This particular time period is one of the most important in regards to the entire history of the competing forces between the Unionists and the Nationalists and even in regards to Northern Ireland overall, and in order to understand why the British government was so ineffective during this time, there are several key issues that need to be discussed in regards to this matter. By addressing and examining different people's points of view, as well as integrating somewhat of a personal opinion, we will be able to not only answer the argument of why the British government was so ineffective in this regards, but also the things that they should and could have done in order to best mend relations between these competing forces. Furthermore, we will be addressing the issue of why there was only a political initiative being tabulated after all of this, in the year 1973, and why it was not done before this, as it certainly should have been. This is what will be dissertated in the following. Between the years of 1963 and 1972, there was much turmoil that took place in Northern Ireland, particularly in regards to the competing forces of the Unionists and the Nationalists. ... The Troubles is a term which is used to basically describe the era that is in discussion here, however the Troubles actually initialized in the early 1920s. It is a term which is used to describe "the latest installment of periodic communal violence involving republican and loyalist paramilitary organizations, the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), the British Army and others in Northern Ireland from the late 1960s until the late 1990s ending with the Good Friday Agreement on April 10, 1998".2 Although the Troubles are considered as having truly initialized during the late 1920s, they really did not become acknowledged as to have had begun until the year 1968, when there was widespread rioting and public disorders all over Northern Ireland that had broken out at the marches of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA). This was one of the main times when the British government should have stepped in and really done something to arbiter these competing forces however they in a sense basically stood by and did nothing. There are a few different reasons that can be used to explain why this is, and one in particular is the fact that they were afraid. Basically, although the Nationalists (Catholics) made up the majority of the population even at that time, it was the Unionists (Protestants) who tended to be richer and more powerful, however when the NICRA group ended up launching a peaceful civil rights campaign in the year 1967, they were "seeking a redress of Catholic and Nationalist grievances within Northern Ireland. Specifically, they wanted an end to the gerrymandering of electoral constituencies that produced unrepresentative local councils (particularly in Derry City) by

Contracting with the Federal Government Term Paper

Contracting with the Federal Government - Term Paper Example Contracting by Simplified Acquisition Procedures, FAR 13 This rule involves the government purchase of tools that are less than the value of $150,000. The government purchase of this equipment is considered micro purchases. The involved procedures do not require competitive bids or quotes and the involved agencies can buy through credit cards or the Government Purchase Card. In addition, it is not necessary to involve the procurement officer. However, most of the government purchases are in this category since most of the products purchased do not involve a lot of money. An example is the government purchase of office equipment such as chairs, tables, and computers. This category comprises of more than 70 per cent of all government purchase dealings. According to government statistics, this category involved a total sum of $19 billion dollars. The increase in government transaction in this category is because the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act made several amendments to the act thus eliminating limitations on government purchases under $150,000. This means that agencies can be allowed to use abridged processes for soliciting and assessing bids worth up to $150,000. However, it is mandatory for the government agencies to publicize all deliberate procurements over $25,000 according to Federal Business Opportunities or on the government website, which enlists all the available procurement opportunities. One main advantage of this easy purchase processes is that they require fewer governmental details, less endorsement levels, and fewer documentation. However, these procedures require all the government procurements above $3,000, but under $150,000, to be kept back for small companies. in addition, the small businesses has to apply for the purchases except if the assigned agent cannot get proposals from two or more minor businesses who are competitive on price, quality and distribution (Government Contracting 101; Worthington & Goldsman, 1998). Contracting by Negotiation, FAR 15 This government rule requires that the government agencies to use negotiation as a contracting method. In order to do this, the federal agencies have to issue a request for proposal (RFP) or Request for Information (RFI) or Invitation for Bid (IFB).  Unlike the previous rule, this rule allows for, communications, Clarifications, and discussions  in the selection procedure and the government might permit for last proposal amendments.  In order for a company to be selected, some factors such as best value and trade-off processes are evaluated. This occurs depending with the interest of the government to contemplate issues other than the lowermost price or utmost technical rating, or the lowermost price that is technically appropriate source for selection, where the solicitation highlights the marginally suitable standards and the selection is founded on a price assessment amongst all suitable bids.  This rule applies mostly to contracts above $150,000, and extremely technical products and services are being pursued (Worthington & Goldsman, 1998). Contracting by Sealed Bidding, FAR 14 The Contracting by Sealed Bidding as described by the rule consist of making and advertising an invitation for bids (IFB). It also involves receiving the proposals, opening them openly, assessing them without negotiations with the bidders, and giving the agreement to the accountable and responsive bidder founded on price and