Unfortunately, many competitive bidding processes do not necessarily factor in quality or the vendor's track record in supplying bug-free equipment.

My father, now deceased, worked on administering U.S. defense-related scientific research projects that were farmed out to universities and corporations. Though he did not often talk about his work, he complained often how difficult it was to award a contract to someone other than the low bidder -- even though it was obvious to him that someone who was not the low bidder was vastly more qualified to do the work and would produce a much better result -- and often much quicker.

Indeed, when I was in the U.S. Army long ago, we often commented on the fact that all our equipment had been supplied by the lowest bidder -- and not necessarily by the most competent manufacturer.

-- Ernest