text:
The Beatles' "Chains" ("Chains of Love") is a wonderful early song, very rock-and-roll, totally C-F-G (or I-IV-V) in chording, energetic and catchy. It's from their first album, Please Please Me.
It's also a great Carole King song. Wikipedia (my emphasis):
Carole King (born February 9, 1942) is an American songwriter and singer-songwriter. King and her former husband Gerry Goffin wrote more than two dozen chart hits for numerous artists during the 1960s, many of which have become standards. As a singer-songwriter, her Tapestry album topped the U.S. album chart for 15 weeks in 1971, and remained on the charts for more than six years.
Her main success as a performer was in the first half of the 1970s, when she would sing her own songs, accompanying herself on the piano, in a series of albums and concerts; although she had been a successful songwriter for a decade previous, and has continued writing for others since. She had her first number 1 hit as a songwriter in 1960 at age 18, with "Will You Love Me Tomorrow", which she wrote with Goffin. …
In 2000, Joel Whitburn, a Billboard Magazine pop music researcher, named her the most successful female songwriter of 1955–99, because she wrote or co-wrote 118 pop hits on the Billboard Hot 100. …
She has won four Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for her songwriting.
The Beatles' cover of this song is probably its most popular version. Listen:
Musicology notes
This song is completely conventional in every aspect but one. It's totally C-F-G (or I-IV-V if you will). It's got the classic blues harmonic structure, three phrases, imported into rock-n-roll, like this:
Almost every rock song of that era has that blues harmonic structure. But the phrasing — now that's interesting. Most pop songs have four-bar phrases, divide at the bar line. That means, for example, in this excellent song from the musical South Pacific:
Bali- [upbeat before the primary downbeat]
hai may call you … Any
Night any day … In your
Heart you hear it call you … Come a-
–way, come away. …
I've bolded the primary downbeat in the phrases. The upbeats are relatively short relative to the downbeats phrases — for example, "any" or "Bali". The bulk of the phrase starts at the downbeat.
Not so Carole King's "Chains". The bulk of the phrase ends at the downbeat:
Chains … My baby's got me
Locked up in chains … And they ain't the
Kind … that you can
See … Oh-oh these [etc.]
See where the phrase breaks are? Shortly after the primary downbeat. (In poetry, this is called "enjambment.") This is not new in American or British popular music, but it's new in rock-n-roll. Not long after this, Paul McCartney makes this "trick," his signature. Consider a piece like "Yesterday":
Yesterday … All my troubles seemed so
Far away … Now it seems as though they're
Here to stay …
Now check out "Eleanor Rigby" or "Here, There and Everywhere" for more of the same.
Fun? I hope so. Musicologically yours, I remain ever faithfully
To follow or send links: @Gaius_Publius


text:
4 September 2006
London Calling And You'll Get A 1970s Room
I'm down in London at the moment and the first thing I noticed is that it took the same time to fly from Edinburgh to "London" Luton as it did to disembark the airplane and wait 45 minutes for the bag machine to start working. The (far too) Easy Jet staff casually wandered over after 40 minutes to tell us they didn't have enough staff to unload the plane. Lovely. On arriving at my hotel I notice that I'm not staying in the one across the road from me (the Savoy or something). Instead I'm in a relatively modern looking hotel. Up in the lift and now the hall ways look a little bit dated and worn but I'm still optimistic. Ah. The room. Why is it hotels look best from the lobby, drop a bit in the hallways with their dodgy wallpaper and carpet and then turn into a bland 1970s basic design in the room? Still, it's all I need and it gives me a chance to test out the panoramic function on my new camera (aka Sony Ericcson K800i phone). Pretty cool. [BTW that's not me watching The Simpsons. I've long since retired that dead horse for something that is entertaining and actually funny. It just started as I was play with my little toy]
Labels: Observations
1 comment:
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Apart from heaps of brand new dungeons, quests and zones, Battle for Azeroth has introduced 4 new playable races to World of Warcraft. These new races are called the Allied Races and each faction gets two – Kul Tiran Humans and Dark Iron Dwarves join the Alliance, while Mag'har Orcs and Zandalari Trolls join the Horde.
Buy Dark Iron Dwarves Unlock boost, sit back and relax as our team of experts gets the job done. Our Dark Iron Dwarves Unlock loot run is the easiest way for you to unlock one of the new Allied Races, without having to go through all of the requirements for each race yourself. We'll do everything needed, from reaching exalted with the specific factions, to getting the primary quest chain for your faction done and completed the distinctive questline that's needed for unlocking Dark Iron Dwarves.
So, when you buy Dark Iron Dwarves Unlock carry, our professional players will unlock the Dark Iron Dwarf Allied Race for your character in an efficient and timely manner. Do you want to experience the new Siege of Zuldazar raid first hand? Then check our Siege of Zuldazar Normal carry!


text:
HAVING REGARD to Article 5 b) of the Convention on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development of 14 December 1960;
HAVING REGARD to the Recommendation of the Council concerning Effective Action Against Hard Core Cartels, which invites "Member countries [to] ensure that their competition laws effectively halt and deter hard core cartels", which include "an anticompetitive agreement, anticompetitive concerted practice, or anticompetitive arrangement by competitors to fix prices [or] make rigged bids (collusive tenders)" [C(98)35/FINAL];
HAVING REGARD to the Recommendation of the Council on Enhancing Integrity in Public Procurement, which lists collusion among the "integrity violations" in the field of public procurement and recognises that efforts to enhance good governance and integrity in public procurement contribute to an efficient and effective management of public resources and therefore of taxpayers' money [C(2008)105];
HAVING REGARD in particular to Principle 1 (Provide an adequate degree of transparency in the entire procurement cycle in order to promote fair and equitable treatment for potential suppliers) and Principle 7 (Provide specific mechanisms to monitor public procurement as well as to detect misconduct and apply sanctions accordingly) of the Council Recommendation on Enhancing Integrity in Public Procurement;
HAVING REGARD to the Third Report on the Implementation of the Council Recommendation concerning Effective Action Against Hard Core Cartels, which lists the fight against anticompetitive behaviour in auctions and in procurement among the enforcement priorities that Members should pursue in their fight against hard core cartels [C(2005)159];
RECOGNISING that public procurement is a key economic activity of governments that has a wider impact on competition in the market, both short term and long term, as it can affect the degree of innovation and the level of investment in a specific industry sector and the overall level of competitiveness of markets, with potential benefits for the whole economy;
RECOGNISING that, in public procurement, competition promotes efficiency, helping to ensure that goods and services offered to public entities more closely match their preferences, producing benefits such as lower prices, improved quality, increased innovation, higher productivity and, more generally, "value for money" to the benefit of end consumers, users of public services and taxpayers;
RECOGNISING that collusion in public tenders, or bid rigging, is among the most egregious violations of competition law that injures the public purchaser by raising prices and restricting supply, thus making goods and services unavailable to some purchasers and unnecessarily expensive for others, to the detriment of final users of public goods and services and taxpayers;
RECOGNISING that some public procurement rules may inadvertently facilitate collusion even when they are not intended to lessen competition;
RECOGNISING that rules that unduly restrict competition often can be revised in a way that promotes market competition while still achieving public policy objectives; and
RECOGNISING the efforts to disseminate the Guidelines on Fighting Bid Rigging in Public Procurement adopted by the Competition Committee in 2009 [DAF/COMP(2009)1/FINAL];
NOTING that a number of OECD Members have developed tools to detect and limit bid rigging in public procurement tenders;
On the proposal of the Competition Committee:
I. RECOMMENDS that Members assess the various features of their public procurement laws and practices and their impact on the likelihood of collusion between bidders. Members should strive for public procurement tenders at all levels of government that are designed to promote more effective competition and to reduce the risk of bid rigging while ensuring overall value for money.
To this effect, officials responsible for public procurement at all levels of government should:
1. Understand, in co-operation with sector regulators, the general features of the market in question, the range of products and/or services available in the market that would suit the requirements of the purchaser, and the potential suppliers of these products and/or services.
2. Promote competition by maximising participation of potential bidders by:
i) establishing participation requirements that are transparent, non-discriminatory, and that do not unreasonably limit competition;
ii) designing, to the extent possible, tender specifications and terms of reference focusing on functional performance, namely on what is to be achieved, rather than how it is to be done, in order to attract to the tender the highest number of bidders, including suppliers of substitute products;
iii) allowing firms from other countries or from other regions within the country in question to participate, where appropriate; and
iv) where possible, allowing smaller firms to participate even if they cannot bid for the entire contract.
3. Design the tender process so as to reduce the opportunities for communication among bidders, either before or during the tender process. For example, sealed-bid tender procedures should be favoured, and the use of clarification meetings or on-site visits attended personally by bidders should be limited where possible, in favour of remote procedures where the identity of the participants can be kept confidential, such as email communications and other web-based technologies.
4. Adopt selection criteria designed i) to improve the intensity and effectiveness of competition in the tender process, and ii) to ensure that there is always a sufficient number of potential credible bidders with a continuing interest in bidding on future projects. Qualitative selection and award criteria should be chosen in such a way that credible bidders, including small and medium-sized enterprises, are not deterred unnecessarily from participating in public tenders.
5. Strengthen efforts to fight collusion and enhance competition in public tenders by encouraging procurement agencies to use electronic bidding systems, which may be accessible to a broader group of bidders and less expensive, and to store information about public procurement opportunities in order to allow appropriate analysis of bidding behaviour and of bid data.
6. Require all bidders to sign a Certificate of Independent Bid Determination or equivalent attestation that the bid submitted is genuine, non-collusive, and made with the intention to accept the contract if awarded.
7. Include in the invitation to tender a warning regarding the sanctions for bid rigging that exist in the particular jurisdiction, for example fines, prison terms and other penalties under the competition law, suspension from participating in public tenders for a certain period of time, sanctions for signing an untruthful Certificate of Independent Bid Determination, and liability for damages to the procuring agency. Sanctions should ensure sufficient deterrence, taking into account the country's leniency policy, if applicable.
II. RECOMMENDS that Members ensure that officials responsible for public procurement at all levels of government are aware of signs, suspicious behaviour and unusual bidding patterns which may indicate collusion, so that these suspicious activities are better identified and investigated by the responsible public agencies.
In particular, Members should encourage competition authorities to:
1. Partner with procurement agencies to produce printed or electronic materials on fraud and collusion awareness indicators to distribute to any individual who will be handling and/or facilitating awards of public funds;
2. Provide or offer support to procurement agencies to set up training for procurement officials, auditors, and investigators at all levels of government on techniques for identifying suspicious behaviour and unusual bidding patterns which may indicate collusion; and
3. Establish a continuing relationship with procurement agencies such that, should preventive mechanisms fail to protect public funds from third-party collusion, those agencies will report the suspected collusion to competition authorities (in addition to any other competent authority) and have the confidence that competition authorities will help investigate and prosecute any potential anti-competitive conduct.
Members should also consider establishing adequate incentives for procurement officials to take effective actions to prevent and detect bid rigging, for example by explicitly including prevention and detection of bid rigging among the statutory duties of procurement officials or by rewarding the successful detection of actual anti-competitive practices in the assessment of the career performance of procurement officials.
III. RECOMMENDS that Members encourage officials responsible for public procurement at all levels of government to follow the Guidelines for Fighting Bid Rigging in Public Procurement set out in the Annex to this Recommendation, of which they form an integral part.
IV. RECOMMENDS that Members develop tools to assess, measure and monitor the impact on competition of public procurement laws and regulations.
V. INVITES Members to disseminate this Recommendation widely within their governments and agencies.
VI. INVITES non-Members to adhere to this Recommendation and to implement it.
VII. INSTRUCTS the Competition Committee to:
i) serve as a forum for sharing experience under this Recommendation for Members and those non-Members adhering to this Recommendation;
ii) promote this Recommendation with other relevant committees and bodies of the OECD; and
iii) monitor the implementation of this Recommendation and to report to the Council no later than three years following its adoption and, as appropriate, thereafter.
1. Introduction
1. Bid rigging (or collusive tendering) occurs when businesses, that would otherwise be expected to compete, secretly conspire to raise prices or lower the quality of goods or services for purchasers who wish to acquire products or services through a bidding process. Public and private organisations often rely upon a competitive bidding process to achieve better value for money. Low prices and/or better products are desirable because they result in resources either being saved or freed up for use on other goods and services. The competitive process can achieve lower prices or better quality and innovation only when companies genuinely compete (i.e., set their terms and conditions honestly and independently). Bid rigging can be particularly harmful if it affects public procurement1. Such conspiracies take resources from purchasers and taxpayers, diminish public confidence in the competitive process, and undermine the benefits of a competitive marketplace.
2. Bid rigging is an illegal practice in all OECD Member countries and can be investigated and sanctioned under the competition law and rules. In a number of OECD countries, bid rigging is also a criminal offence.
2. Common forms of bid rigging
3. Bid-rigging conspiracies can take many forms, all of which impede the efforts of purchasers - frequently national and local governments - to obtain goods and services at the lowest possible price. Often, competitors agree in advance who will submit the winning bid on a contract to be awarded through a competitive bidding process. A common objective of a bid-rigging conspiracy is to increase the amount of the winning bid and thus the amount that the winning bidders will gain.
4. Bid-rigging schemes often include mechanisms to apportion and distribute the additional profits obtained as a result of the higher final contracted price among the conspirators. For example, competitors who agree not to bid or to submit a losing bid may receive subcontracts or supply contracts from the designated winning bidder in order to divide the proceeds from the illegally obtained higher priced bid among them. However, long-standing bid-rigging arrangements may employ much more elaborate methods of assigning contract winners, monitoring and apportioning bid-rigging gains over a period of months or years. Bid rigging may also include monetary payments by the designated winning bidder to one or more of the conspirators. This so-called compensation payment is sometimes also associated with firms submitting "cover" (higher) bids2.
5. Although individuals and firms may agree to implement bid-rigging schemes in a variety of ways, they typically implement one or more of several common strategies. These techniques are not mutually exclusive. For instance, cover bidding may be used in conjunction with a bid-rotation scheme. These strategies in turn may result in patterns that procurement officials can detect and which can then help uncover bid-rigging schemes.
• Cover bidding. Cover (also called complementary, courtesy, token, or symbolic) bidding is the most frequent way in which bid-rigging schemes are implemented. It occurs when individuals or firms agree to submit bids that involve at least one of the following: (1) a competitor agrees to submit a bid that is higher than the bid of the designated winner, (2) a competitor submits a bid that is known to be too high to be accepted, or (3) a competitor submits a bid that contains special terms that are known to be unacceptable to the purchaser. Cover bidding is designed to give the appearance of genuine competition.
• Bid suppression. Bid-suppression schemes involve agreements among competitors in which one or more companies agree to refrain from bidding or to withdraw a previously submitted bid so that the designated winner's bid will be accepted. In essence, bid suppression means that a company does not submit a bid for final consideration.
• Bid rotation. In bid-rotation schemes, conspiring firms continue to bid, but they agree to take turns being the winning (i.e., lowest qualifying) bidder. The way in which bid-rotation agreements are implemented can vary. For example, conspirators might choose to allocate approximately equal monetary values from a certain group of contracts to each firm or to allocate volumes that correspond to the size of each company.
• Market allocation. Competitors carve up the market and agree not to compete for certain customers or in certain geographic areas. Competing firms may, for example, allocate specific customers or types of customers to different firms, so that competitors will not bid (or will submit only a cover bid) on contracts offered by a certain class of potential customers which are allocated to a specific firm. In return, that competitor will not competitively bid to a designated group of customers allocated to other firms in the agreement.
3. Industry, product and service characteristics that help support collusion
6. In order for firms to implement a successful collusive agreement, they must agree on a common course of action for implementing the agreement, monitor whether other firms are abiding by the agreement, and establish a way to punish firms that cheat on the agreement. Although bid rigging can occur in any economic sector, there are some sectors in which it is more likely to occur due to particular features of the industry or of the product involved. Such characteristics tend to support the efforts of firms to rig bids. Indicators of bid rigging, which are discussed further below, may be more meaningful when certain supporting factors are also present. In such instances, procurement agents should be especially vigilant. Although various industry or product characteristics have been found to help collusion, they need not all be present in order for companies to successfully rig bids.
• Small number of companies. Bid rigging is more likely to occur when a small number of companies supply the good or service. The fewer the number of sellers, the easier it is for them to reach an agreement on how to rig bids.
• Little or no entry. When few businesses have recently entered or are likely to enter a market because it is costly, hard or slow to enter, firms in that market are protected from the competitive pressure of potential new entrants. The protective barrier helps support bid-rigging efforts.
• Market conditions. Significant changes in demand or supply conditions tend to destabilise ongoing bid-rigging agreements. A constant, predictable flow of demand from the public sector tends to increase the risk of collusion. At the same time, during periods of economic upheaval or uncertainty, incentives for competitors to rig bids increase as they seek to replace lost business with collusive gains.
• Industry associations. Industry associations3 can be used as legitimate, pro-competitive mechanisms for members of a business or service sector to promote standards, innovation and competition. Conversely, when subverted to illegal, anticompetitive purposes, these associations have been used by company officials to meet and conceal their discussions about ways and means to reach and implement a bid rigging agreement.
• Repetitive bidding. Repetitive purchases increase the chances of collusion. The bidding frequency helps members of a bid-rigging agreement allocate contracts among themselves. In addition, the members of the cartel can punish a cheater by targeting the bids originally allocated to him. Thus, contracts for goods or services that are regular and recurring may require special tools and vigilance to discourage collusive tendering.
• Identical or simple products or services. When the products or services that individuals or companies sell are identical or very similar, it is easier for firms to reach an agreement on a common price structure.
• Few if any substitutes. When there are few, if any, good alternative products or services that can be substituted for the product or service that is being purchased, individuals or firms wishing to rig bids are more secure knowing that the purchaser has few, if any, good alternatives and thus their efforts to raise prices are more likely to be successful.
• Little or no technological change. Little or no innovation in the product or service helps firms reach an agreement and maintain that agreement over time.
1. There are many steps that procurement agencies can take to promote more effective competition in public procurement and reduce the risk of bid rigging. Procurement agencies should consider adopting the following measures:
1. Be informed before designing the tender process
2. Collecting information on the range of products and/or services available in the market that would suit the requirements of the purchaser as well as information on the potential suppliers of these products is the best way for procurement officials to design the procurement process to achieve the best "value for money". Develop in-house expertise as early as possible.
• Be aware of the characteristics of the market from which you will purchase and recent industry activities or trends that may affect competition for the tender.
• Determine whether the market in which you will purchase has characteristics that make collusion more likely4.
• Collect information on potential suppliers, their products, their prices and their costs. If possible, compare prices offered in B2B5 procurement.
• Collect information about recent price changes. Inform yourself about prices in neighbouring geographic areas and about prices of possible alternative products.
• Collect information about past tenders for the same or similar products.
• Co-ordinate with other public sector procurers and clients who have recently purchased similar products or services to improve your understanding of the market and its participants.
• If you use external consultants to help you estimate prices or costs ensure that they have signed confidentiality agreements.
2. Design the tender process to maximise the potential participation of genuinely competing bidders
3. Effective competition can be enhanced if a sufficient number of credible bidders are able to respond to the invitation to tender and have an incentive to compete for the contract. For example, participation in the tender can be facilitated if procurement officials reduce the costs of bidding, establish participation requirements that do not unreasonably limit competition, allow firms from other regions or countries to participate, or devise ways of incentivising smaller firms to participate even if they cannot bid for the entire contract.
• Avoid unnecessary restrictions that may reduce the number of qualified bidders. Specify minimum requirements that are proportional to the size and content of the procurement contract. Do not specify minimum requirements that create an obstacle to participation, such as controls on the size, composition, or nature of firms that may submit a bid.
• Note that requiring large monetary guarantees from bidders as a condition for bidding may prevent otherwise qualified small bidders from entering the tender process. If possible, ensure amounts are set only so high as to achieve the desired goal of requiring a guarantee.
• Reduce constraints on foreign participation in procurement whenever possible.
• To the extent possible, qualify bidders during the procurement process in order to avoid collusive practices among a pre-qualified group and to increase the amount of uncertainty among firms as to the number and identity of bidders. Avoid a very long period of time between qualification and award, as this may facilitate collusion.
• Reduce the preparation costs of the bid. This can be accomplished in a number of ways:
- By streamlining tendering procedures across time and products (e.g. use the same application forms, ask for the same type of information, etc.)6.
- By packaging tenders (i.e. different procurement projects) to spread the fixed costs of preparing a bid.
- By keeping official lists of approved contractors or certification by official certification bodies.
- By allowing adequate time for firms to prepare and submit a bid. For example, consider publishing details of pipeline projects well in advance using trade and professional journals, websites or magazines.
- By using an electronic bidding system, if available.
• Whenever possible, allow bids on certain lots or objects within the contract, or on combinations thereof, rather than bids on the whole contract only7. For example, in larger contracts look for areas in the tender that would be attractive and appropriate for small and medium sized enterprises.
• Do not disqualify bidders from future competitions or immediately remove them from a bidding list if they fail to submit a bid on a recent tender.
• Be flexible in regard to the number of firms from whom you require a bid. For example, if you start with a requirement for 5 bidders but receive bids from only 3 firms, consider whether it is possible to obtain a competitive outcome from the 3 firms, rather than insisting on a re-tendering exercise, which is likely to make it all the more clear that competition is scarce.
3. Define your requirements clearly and avoid predictability
4. Drafting the specifications and the terms of reference (TOR) is a stage of the public procurement cycle which is vulnerable to bias, fraud and corruption. Specifications/TOR should be designed in a way to avoid bias and should be clear and comprehensive but not discriminatory. They should, as a general rule, focus on functional performance, namely on what is to be achieved rather than how it is to be done. This will encourage innovative solutions and value for money. How tender requirements are written affects the number and type of suppliers that are attracted to the tender and, therefore, affects the success of the selection process. The clearer the requirements, the easier it will be for potential suppliers to understand them, and the more confidence they will have when preparing and submitting bids. Clarity should not be confused with predictability. More predictable procurement schedules and unchanging quantities sold or bought can facilitate collusion. On the other hand, higher value and less frequent procurement opportunities increase the bidders' incentives to compete.
• Define your requirements as clearly as possible in the tender offer. Specifications should be independently checked before final issue to ensure they can be clearly understood. Try not to leave room for suppliers to define key terms after the tender is awarded.
• Use performance specifications and state what is actually required, rather than providing a product description.
• Avoid going to tender while a contract is still in the early stages of specification: a comprehensive definition of the need is a key to good procurement. In rare circumstances where this is unavoidable, require bidders to quote per unit. This rate can then be applied once quantities are known.
• Define your specifications allowing for substitute products or in terms of functional performance and requirements whenever possible. Alternative or innovative sources of supply make collusive practices more difficult.
• Avoid predictability in your contract requirements: consider aggregating or disaggregating contracts so as to vary the size and timing of tenders.
• Work together with other public sector procurers and run joint procurement.
• Avoid presenting contracts with identical values that can be easily shared among competitors.
4. Design the tender process to effectively reduce communication among bidders
5. When designing the tender process, procurement officials should be aware of the various factors that can facilitate collusion. The efficiency of the procurement process will depend upon the bidding model adopted but also on how the tender is designed and carried out. Transparency requirements are indispensable for a sound procurement procedure to aid in the fight against corruption. They should be complied with in a balanced manner, in order not to facilitate collusion by disseminating information beyond legal requirements. Unfortunately, there is no single rule about the design of an auction or procurement tender. Tenders need to be designed to fit the situation. Where possible, consider the following:
• Invite interested suppliers to dialogue with the procuring agency on the technical and administrative specifications of the procurement opportunity. However, avoid bringing potential suppliers together by holding regularly scheduled pre-bid meetings.
• Limit as much as possible communications between bidders during the tender process8. Open tenders enable communication and signalling between bidders. A requirement that bids must be submitted in person provides an opportunity for last minute communication and deal-making among firms. This could be prevented, for example, by using electronic bidding.
• Carefully consider what information is disclosed to bidders at the time of the public bid opening.
• When publishing the results of a tender, carefully consider which information is published and avoid disclosing competitively sensitive information as this can facilitate the formation of bid-rigging schemes, going forward.
• Where there are concerns about collusion due to the characteristics of the market or product, if possible, use a first-price sealed bid auction rather than a reverse auction.
• Consider if procurement methods other than single stage tenders based primarily on price can yield a more efficient outcome. Other types of procurement may include negotiated tenders9 and framework agreements10.
• Use a maximum reserve price only if it is based on thorough market research and officials are convinced it is very competitive. Do not publish the reserve price, but keep it confidential in the file or deposit it with another public authority.
• Beware of using industry consultants to conduct the tendering process, as they may have established working relationships with individual bidders. Instead, use the consultant's expertise to clearly describe the criteria/specification, and conduct the procurement process in-house.
• Whenever possible, request that bids be filed anonymously (e.g. consider identifying bidders with numbers or symbols) and allow bids to be submitted by telephone or mail.
• Do not disclose or unnecessarily limit the number of bidders in the bidding process.
• Require bidders to disclose all communications with competitors. Consider requiring bidders to sign a Certificate of Independent Bid Determination11.
• Require bidders to disclose upfront if they intend to use subcontractors, which can be a way to split the profits among bid riggers.
• Because joint bids can be a way to split profits among bid riggers, be particularly vigilant about joint bids by firms that have been convicted or fined by the competition authorities for collusion. Be cautious even if collusion occurred in other markets and even if the firms involved do not have the capacity to present separate bids.
• Include in the tender offer a warning regarding the sanctions in your country for bid rigging, e.g. suspension from participating in public tenders for a certain period, any sanctions if the conspirators signed a Certificate of Independent Bid Determination, the possibility for the procuring agency to seek damages, and any sanctions under the competition law.
• Indicate to bidders that any claims of increased input costs that cause the budget to be exceeded will be thoroughly investigated12.
• If, during the procurement process, you are assisted by external consultants, ensure that they are properly trained, that they sign confidentiality agreements, and that they are subject to a reporting requirement if they become aware of improper competitor behaviour or any potential conflict of interest.
5. Carefully choose your criteria for evaluating and awarding the tender
6. All selection criteria affect the intensity and effectiveness of competition in the tender process. The decision on what selection criteria to use is not only important for the current project, but also in maintaining a pool of potential credible bidders with a continuing interest in bidding on future projects. It is therefore important to ensure that qualitative selection and awarding criteria are chosen in such a way that credible bidders, including small and medium enterprises, are not deterred unnecessarily.
• When designing the tender offer, think of the impact that your choice of criteria will have on future competition.
• Whenever evaluating bidders on criteria other than price (e.g., product quality, post-sale services, etc.) such criteria need to be described and weighted adequately in advance in order to avoid post-award challenges. When properly used, such criteria can reward innovation and cost-cutting measures, along with promoting competitive pricing. The extent to which the weighting criteria are disclosed in advance of the tender closing can affect the ability of the bidders to co-ordinate their bid.
• Avoid any kind of preferential treatment for a certain class, or type, of suppliers.
• Do not favour incumbents13. Tools that ensure as much anonymity as possible throughout the procurement process may counteract incumbent advantages.
• Do not over-emphasise the importance of performance records. Whenever possible, consider other relevant experience.
• Avoid splitting contracts between suppliers with identical bids. Investigate the reasons for the identical bids and, if necessary, consider re-issuing the invitation to tender or award the contract to one supplier only.
• Make inquiries if prices or bids do not make sense, but never discuss these issues with the bidders collectively.
• Whenever possible under the legal requirements governing the award notices, keep the terms and conditions of each firm's bid confidential. Educate those who are involved in the contract process (e.g., preparation, estimates, etc.) about strict confidentiality.
• Reserve the right not to award the contract if it is suspected that the bidding outcome is not competitive.
6. Raise awareness among your staff about the risks of bid rigging in procurement
7. Professional training is important to strengthen procurement officials' awareness of competition issues in public procurement. Efforts to fight bid rigging more effectively can be supported by collecting historical information on bidding behaviour, by constantly monitoring bidding activities, and by performing analyses on bid data. This helps procurement agencies (and competition authorities) to identify problematic situations. It should be noted that bid rigging may not be evident from the results of a single tender. Often a collusive scheme is only revealed when one examines the results from a number of tenders over a period of time.
• Implement a regular training program on bid rigging and cartel detection for your staff, with the help of the competition agency or external legal consultants.
• Store information about the characteristics of past tenders (e.g., store information such as the product purchased, each participant's bid, and the identity of the winner).
• Periodically review the history of tenders for particular products or services and try to discern suspicious patterns, especially in industries susceptible to collusion14.
• Adopt a policy to review selected tenders periodically.
• Undertake comparison checks between lists of companies that have submitted an expression of interest and companies that have submitted bids to identify possible trends such as bid withdrawals and use of sub-contractors.
• Conduct interviews with vendors who no longer bid on tenders and unsuccessful vendors.
• Establish a complaint mechanism for firms to convey competition concerns. For example, clearly identify the person or the office to which complaints must be submitted (and provide their contact details) and ensure an appropriate level of confidentiality.
• Make use of mechanisms, such as a whistleblower system, to collect information on bid rigging from companies and their employees. Consider launching requests in the media to invite companies to provide the authorities with information on potential collusion.
• Inform yourself about your country's leniency policy15, if applicable, and review your policy on suspension from qualification to bid, where there has been a finding of collusive activity, to determine whether it is harmonious with your country's leniency policy.
• Establish internal procedures that encourage or require officials to report suspicious statements or behaviour to the competition authorities in addition to the procurement agency's internal audit group and comptroller, and consider setting up incentives to encourage officials to do so.
• Establish co-operative relationships with the competition authority (e.g. set up a mechanism for communication, listing information to be provided when procurement officials contact competition agencies, etc.).
1. Bid-rigging agreements can be very difficult to detect as they are typically negotiated in secret. In industries where collusion is common, however, suppliers and purchasers may be aware of long-standing bid-rigging conspiracies. In most industries, it is necessary to look for clues such as unusual bidding or pricing patterns, or something that the vendor says or does. Be on guard throughout the entire procurement process, as well as during your preliminary market research.
1. Look for warning signs and patterns when businesses are submitting bids
2. Certain bidding patterns and practices seem at odds with a competitive market and suggest the possibility of bid rigging. Search for odd patterns in the ways that firms bid and the frequency with which they win or lose tender offers. Subcontracting and undisclosed joint venture practices can also raise suspicions.
• The same supplier is often the lowest bidder.
• There is a geographic allocation of winning tenders. Some firms submit tenders that win in only certain geographic areas.
• Regular suppliers fail to bid on a tender they would normally be expected to bid for, but have continued to bid for other tenders.
• Some suppliers unexpectedly withdraw from bidding.
• Certain companies always submit bids but never win.
• Each company seems to take a turn being the winning bidder.
• Two or more businesses submit a joint bid even though at least one of them could have bid on its own.
• The winning bidder repeatedly subcontracts work to unsuccessful bidders.
• The winning bidder does not accept the contract and is later found to be a subcontractor.
• Competitors regularly socialise or hold meetings shortly before the tender deadline.
2. Look for warning signs in all documents submitted
3. Telltale signs of a bid-rigging conspiracy can be found in the various documents that companies submit. Although companies that are part of the bid-rigging agreement will try to keep it secret, carelessness, or boastfulness or guilt on the part of the conspirators, may result in clues that ultimately lead to its discovery. Carefully compare all documents for evidence that suggests that the bids were prepared by the same person or were prepared jointly.
• Identical mistakes in the bid documents or letters submitted by different companies, such as spelling errors.
• Bids from different companies contain similar handwriting or typeface or use identical forms or stationery.
• Bid documents from one company make express reference to competitors' bids or use another bidder's letterhead or fax number.
• Bids from different companies contain identical miscalculations.
• Bids from different companies contain a significant number of identical estimates of the cost of certain items.
• The packaging from different companies has similar postmarks or post metering machine marks.
• Bid documents from different companies indicate numerous last minute adjustments, such as the use of erasures or other physical alterations.
• Bid documents submitted by different companies contain less detail than would be necessary or expected, or give other indications of not being genuine.
• Competitors submit identical tenders or the prices submitted by bidders increase in regular increments.
3. Look for warning signs and patterns related to pricing
4. Bid prices can be used to help uncover collusion. Look for patterns that suggest that companies may be co-ordinating their efforts such as price increases that cannot be explained by cost increases. When losing bids are much higher than the winner's bid, conspirators may be using a cover bidding scheme. A common practice in cover pricing schemes is for the provider of the cover price to add 10% or more to the lowest bid. Bid prices that are higher than the engineering cost estimates or higher than prior bids for similar tenders may also indicate collusion. The following may be suspicious:
• Sudden and identical increases in price or price ranges by bidders that cannot be explained by cost increases.
• Anticipated discounts or rebates disappear unexpectedly.
• Identical pricing can raise concerns especially when one of the following is true:
- Suppliers' prices were the same for a long period of time,
- Suppliers' prices were previously different from one another,
- Suppliers increased price and it is not justified by increased costs, or
- Suppliers eliminated discounts, especially in a market where discounts were historically given.
• A large difference between the price of a winning bid and other bids.
• A certain supplier's bid is much higher for a particular contract than that supplier's bid for another similar contract.
• There are significant reductions from past price levels after a bid from a new or infrequent supplier, e.g. the new supplier may have disrupted an existing bidding cartel.
• Local suppliers are bidding higher prices for local delivery than for delivery to destinations farther away.
• Similar transportation costs are specified by local and non-local companies.
• Only one bidder contacts wholesalers for pricing information prior to a bid submission.
• Unexpected features of public bids in an auction, electronic or otherwise -- such as offers including unusual numbers where one would expect a rounded number of hundreds or thousands -- may indicate that bidders are using the bids themselves as a vehicle to collude by communicating information or signalling preferences.
4. Look for suspicious statements at all times
5. When working with vendors watch carefully for suspicious statements that suggest that companies may have reached an agreement or co-ordinated their prices or selling practices.
• Spoken or written references to an agreement among bidders.
• Statements that bidders justify their prices by looking at "industry suggested prices", "standard market prices" or "industry price schedules".
• Statements indicating that certain firms do not sell in a particular area or to particular customers.
• Statements indicating that an area or customer "belongs to" another supplier.
• Statements indicating advance non-public knowledge of competitors' pricing or bid details or foreknowledge of a firm's success or failure in a competition for which the results have yet to be published.
• Statements indicating that a supplier submitted a courtesy, complimentary, token, symbolic or cover bid.
• Use of the same terminology by various suppliers when explaining price increases.
• Questions or concerns expressed about Certificates of Independent Bid Determination, or indications that, although signed (or even submitted unsigned), they are not taken seriously.
• Cover letters from bidders refusing to observe certain tender conditions or referring to discussions, perhaps within a trade association.
5. Look for suspicious behaviour at all times
6. Look for references to meetings or events at which suppliers may have an opportunity to discuss prices, or behaviour that suggests a company is taking certain actions that only benefit other firms. Forms of suspicious behaviour could include the following:
• Suppliers meet privately before submitting bids, sometimes in the vicinity of the location where bids are to be submitted.
• Suppliers regularly socialise together or appear to hold regular meetings.
• A company requests a bid package for itself and a competitor.
• A company submits both its own and a competitor's bid and bidding documents.
• A bid is submitted by a company that is incapable of successfully completing the contract.
• A company brings multiple bids to a bid opening and chooses which bid to submit after determining (or trying to determine) who else is bidding.
• Several bidders make similar enquiries to the procurement agency or submit similar requests or materials.
6. A caution about indicators of bid rigging
7. The indicators of possible bid rigging described above identify numerous suspicious bid and pricing patterns as well as suspicious statements and behaviours. They should not however be taken as proof that firms are engaging in bid rigging. For example, a firm may have not bid on a particular tender offer because it was too busy to handle the work. High bids may simply reflect a different assessment of the cost of a project. Nevertheless, when suspicious patterns in bids and pricing are detected or when procurement agents hear odd statements or observe peculiar behaviour, further investigation of bid rigging is required. A regular pattern of suspicious behaviour over a period of time is often a better indicator of possible bid rigging than evidence from a single bid. Carefully record all information so that a pattern of behaviour can be established over time.
7. Steps procurement officials should take if bid rigging is suspected
8. If you suspect that bid rigging is occurring, there are a number of steps you should take in order to help uncover it and stop it.
• Have a working understanding of the law on bid rigging in your jurisdiction.
• Do not discuss your concerns with suspected participants.
• Keep all documents, including bid documents, correspondence, envelopes, etc.
• Keep a detailed record of all suspicious behaviour and statements including dates, who was involved, and who else was present and what precisely occurred or was said. Notes should be made during the event or while they are fresh in the official's memory so as to provide an accurate description of what transpired.
• Contact the relevant competition authority in your jurisdiction.
• After consulting with your internal legal staff, consider whether it is appropriate to proceed with the tender offer.
1 In OECD countries, public procurement accounts for approximately 15% of GDP. In many non-OECD countries that figure is even higher. See OECD, Bribery in Procurement, Methods, Actors and Counter-Measures, 2007.
2 In most instances the compensation payment will be facilitated by the use of a fraudulent invoice for subcontracting works. In fact, no such work takes place and the invoice is false. The use of fraudulent consulting contracts can also be used for this purpose.
3 Industry or trade associations consist of individuals and firms with common commercial interests, joining together to further their commercial or professional goals.
4 See "Industry, product and service characteristics that help support collusion" above.
5 Business-to-Business (B2B) is a term commonly used to describe electronic commerce transactions between businesses.
6 Streamlining the preparation of the bid nevertheless should not prevent procurement officials from seeking continuous improvements of the procurement process (procedure chosen, quantities bought, timing, etc.).
7 Procurement officials should also be aware that, if wrongly implemented (e.g. in an easily predictable manner), the 'splitting contracts' technique could provide an opportunity to conspirators to better allocate contracts.
8 For example, if the bidders need to do a site inspection, avoid gathering the bidders in the same facility at the same time.
9 In negotiated tenders the procurer sets out a broad plan and the tenderer(s) then work out the details with the procurer, thereby arriving at a price.
10 In framework agreements, the procurer asks a large number of firms, say 20, to submit details of their ability in terms of qualitative factors such as experience, safety qualifications, etc., and then chooses a small number, say 5 tenderers, to be in a framework - subsequent jobs are then allocated primarily according to ability or may be the subject of further 'mini' tenders with each of the tenderers submitting a price for the job.
11 A Certificate of Independent Bid Determination requires bidders to disclose all material facts about any communications that they have had with competitors pertaining to the invitation to tender. In order to discourage non-genuine, fraudulent or collusive bids, and thereby eliminate the inefficiency and extra cost to procurement, procurement officials may wish to require a statement or attestation by each bidder that the bid it has submitted is genuine, non-collusive, and made with the intention to accept the contract if awarded. Consideration may be given to requiring the signature of an individual with the authority to represent the firm and adding separate penalties for statements that are fraudulently or inaccurately made.
12 Cost increases during the execution phase of a contract should be carefully monitored as they may be a front for corruption and bribery.
13 The incumbent is the company currently supplying the goods or services to the public administration and whose contract is coming to an end.
14 See "Industry, product and service characteristics that help support collusion" above.
15 Such policies generally provide for immunity from antitrust legal proceedings to the first party to apply under the policy who admits its involvement in particular cartel activities, including bid rigging schemes, and agrees to co-operate with the competition authority's investigation.


text:
Here are some tips to help you save on your electricity and heating bill.
1. Use an Auto-Off Surge Protector for your entertainment system to reduce standby power consumption. Most of them have a master outlet that for example, senses when your TV is off, and automatically cuts off power to peripherals that do not require electricity. They also include stay-on outlets for peripherals that need standby power.
2. Make sure your home is properly insulated so that you don't pay more than you need to for heating and cooling. (You can do an energy audit to figure out where you have heat loss).
3. Use pipe insulation for your hot water pipes, a blanket for your water heater, or look into the option of a solar water heater to save money in the long run.
4. Turn the lights out when you leave the room.
5. Buy more efficient bulbs with a lower wattage, (compact florescent and LED bulbs use between 70% and 95% less than regular incandescent bulbs)
6. Do not leave the stove or oven any longer than you need to.
7. Turn of appliances that you are not using. If your home has electric heat, turn it down a few notches and put on some warm clothing if needed.
8. Do not leave the hot water (or cold water) tap running unattended. It is like pouring money down the drain.


text:
Meijer Fan Zone
Fans can enjoy activities away from the on-track action all weekend long at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear in the Meijer Fan Zone. In 2018, Meijer Fan Zone activities included the Chevrolet display, the Patron Lounge, the Bud Light Food Court and Beer Garden, the Detroit Sports Zone with displays from Detroit sports teams, Knockerball, Fowling, Corn Hole and much more! Specific Meijer Fan Zone activities for 2019 will be announced closer to the event. Follow @DetroitGP on social media and check DetroitGP.com for more information in the coming weeks.
We are excited to host you at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear.
It promises to be an action-packed weekend - get your tickets now!


text:
When the bleary eyed and wistful extol love's endless utility, it is natural to recoil. Cloaked in sensibility, it's easy to sigh deep, hunch awkward, and ignore the flirty beams of light sneaking past leafy guardsmen. It takes a slightly more valiant fellow to drop one's plans, get stoned, and flirt back.
The Memories debut, self-titled LP, is a thesis statement for the young, courageous romantic. A drug fueled philosophy with pretty girls atop a pyramid of friends, weed, skateboarding, pizza and weed.
The Memories sound as if the The Feelies and The Delfonics had children, then left them to grow up alone in southeast Portland on a diet of sandwiches and skipped school days. Recorded in the upstairs bedroom of their shared home, The album bops between lamenting croons and peppy chorusses. The songs are short and stick around just long enough to properly articulate the sentiment, i.e. "Baby (You're Totally Crazy)" & "Took Drugs (Went Insane)."


text:
|Benjamin Moore Northern Cliffs 1536
I already forewarned the hubs that I reserve the right to change my mind, constantly! Well, we painted the main rooms of the house about three years ago, and now I have changed my mind. I alwasy wanted taupe, but now that i have lived with it...I don't really want itt anymore.
|Benjamin Moore Seattle Mist 1535
I am so feelin these colors. This is more my style. I can make this work. Once again I am starting another project without completing the first. I have got to stop this!


text:
QinetiQ Group plc today issues a trading update prior to holding an investor day in Farnborough, UK on 26 September and entering its closed period on 30 September 2012.
The Group's performance during the first half of the financial year has been stronger than originally expected.
During the period Global Products delivered the majority of two key orders for the Q-NetTM vehicle survivability product, earlier than originally planned. This, together with a higher level of spares sales, more than compensated for lower sales in other major products.
UK Services continued to perform well, benefiting from a more competitive cost base and better project execution, coupled with a higher level of utilisation in certain areas to meet short term demand.
This was partially offset by the performance of US Services, which reflected the considerable uncertainties in the federal services market and ongoing delays in contract awards.
A large number of submitted bids remain unresolved, and some of these are unlikely to be decided until the issue of sequestration is addressed.
The degree of political and economic uncertainty in both our major markets means that forward visibility for the next six months is much lower than usual, particularly in the US.
However, the strong performance in the first half gives the Board confidence that the Group should at least meet its expectations for the current year, absent any material change in customer requirements. The Board's view of the outlook beyond the current year remains unchanged.


text:
Everyone spoke about Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Ye the day it's first promo hit the tube but then what one saw was hugely disappointing.
Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Ye was touted to be Life OK's channel driver but looks like the show is just all over the place.
Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Ye is all about Shobha Sachdev (Sonali Bendre), who is in love with her husband, Samarth Sachdev (Harsh Chhaya) and trusts him a lot.
Shobha thinks her husband is doing all the right things, till one day when she discovers that he has been cheating on her. Samarth is caught in a sex scandal and she sees him making out with another woman on television and he lands up in jail.
The self righteous Madam Shobha had earlier taken up a degree only to get married but now takes up a job after a gap of many years, where she develops a connection with a man, her boss in this case.
Shobha's boss, Vikram Ahuja (Apurva Agnihotri), is somebody who she initially can't stand, as he is a rude, mean, doesn't like to talk to women and doesn't even realise that he is lonely.
As the story progress, both Shobha and Vikram find a friend in each other. Well that's what sums up the show Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Ye.
What's irritating is the fact that every time Shobha and Vikram meet all one gets to hear is the song from the film Kal Ho Naa Ho in the background. Well both are matured individuals so can we have something that's not as frivolous as this.
Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Ye is all about marriage, the institution we Indians believe in, but the way the writing team has handled this, it seems they are out there to make a mockery of this one.
Off the star cast, Alka Amin as Shobha's mother-in-law is irritating and over the top. Vikram and Vikram's grandmother are characters that have just been lifted from the film Cheeni Kum as the makes have tried to bring out the same chemistry that Amitabh Bachchan and Zohra Sehgal had shared in the film, but sadly both fall flat. One can see Apurva Agnihotri put in a sincere effort but then his character lacks depth.
The only silver lining of Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Ye is Sonali Bendre as she lights up the screen every time she is on it but then it ends there as the character has been crafted very superficially. Shobha has not depth and that's the main reason the show misses the point completely.
Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Ye actually lives up to it's name as it's really weird.
Everyone spoke about Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Ye the day it's first promo hit the tube but then what one saw was hugely disappointing. Ajeeb Daastaan Hai...0.5


text:
Every time a big Android device hits stores we like to poll all the early adopters that read this site and get their initial impressions of the gadget they just purchased. Two weeks ago the Motorola Atrix 4G landed at AT&T and we know a lot of you ran out to pick up the first mobile device with a dual-core processor.
This marks the first time that AT&T has launched an Android superphone, so now it's time to tell us what you think about the device after using it for several days. If you were one of the first who raced out to buy the Atrix 4G, please sound off and let us know if you are happy with your new toy.
Are you satisfied with the overall performance of the Tegra 2 processor? What do you think of Motoblur? Have you tried out Qik or Tango and made any video calls yet? How do you like the high-resolution qHD display? What kind of 4G speeds are you seeing on AT&T's HSPA+ network? Are you upload speeds capped? How does the 1930 mAh battery perform? Do you find the fingerprint scanner useful?
Please share your feedback so that other customers on the fence about diving in can make up their mind. Would you recommend the Motorola Atrix 4G to a friend?


text:
Team: Black River ADV
Residence: Maple Vally, WA
Experience: I have been riding all kinds of street bikes off and on for 25 years, dirt bikes for half as long, team member of a sponsored desert enduro quad (atv) team, and large adventure bikes for the last 2 years.
Bikes: 2013 BMW R1200GSA, 2005 KTM 450 exc-r
About me: I have always enjoyed riding motorcycles but now adventure motorcycling is my passion. I don't think it gets any better than covering miles of wilderness on a adventure bike with good friends.
Future goals: I would like within the next 10 years, to gain experience riding my GS around the country and world to eventually retire and have my own national/international adventure motorcycle guide business.


text:
Separate names with a comma.
Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by wills, Nov 7, 2003.
I thought Cpanel was able to handle Urchin 5, no? What exactly is the problem?
I'm trying to get answer to that question since Wed, 10 Sep 2003 10:05:21
cPanel.net Support Ticket Number: 23147
lol, so I guess I have some time to wait
Urchin 5 running fine on our bexes.
What is your OS? We're running RH 9.x with Apache .29 with the latest Cpanel and ThePlanet keeps insisting the Urchin 5 does not work with Cpanel. I hear otherwise from you.
I don't know, doesn't dedicatednow run urchin 5?
We are running RH 7.3. Urchin has worked with cpanel since version 4, though it is a bit tricky sometimes to get everything working.
ditto - urchin 5 running fine.
linux 7.3 - apache .29
latest stable cpanel release.
biggest set back for me was I didn't set the apache log files to the right permissions.
otherwise - everything works great. Love the UTM


text:
FAQ's: Gay Vacations at The Dunes Resort
Here are the answers to getting the most from your Saugatuck Douglas vacation at The Dunes Resort and Gay Hotel.
The Dunes Resort and Gay Hotel now has wireless internet throughout the property as well as in the main bar complex.
Looking to Rent a Dunes Resort Poolside Cabana?
Reservations must be done at the front desk:
Daily (M-TH) $20/per
Weekend Daily (F, S, S) $40/per
Holiday Daily* $125/per
Seasonal Package (all summer) $2500 Exclusively yours!
**Holiday's consist of 5/27 & 5/28, 7/1 – 7/5, 9/2 – 9/3
FAQ's About The Dunes Resort & Gay Hotel
If you have questions regarding our gay hotel resort and entertainment complex, we have the answers.
Browse the questions about your next gay friendly vacation below, and click on the link to jump to the answer:
Entertainment and Dining Questions:
Is there a cover or drink minimum at the pool?
What is the cover at the Club?
Are you Adults Only at the pool and bar (Splash)?
Are the different types of bars open to the public?
Do you have a DJ with gay club dancing?
Do you have male dancers?
Do you have Karaoke?
What is a tea dance?
Do you have gay nightclub pics?
What are my dining options?
Driving and Transportation Questions:
How far is the Dunes from Chicago or Detroit?
Do you have a map for traveling to the Dunes?
What is the closest airport to Saugatuck?
The Dunes Resort Saugatuck Accommodations Questions:
Is The Dunes all men, women or both?
Is The Dunes transgender friendly?
Can you be nude at the Dunes pool?
How far is the beach from the Resort?
What lodging opportunities and amenities are available during my Saugatuck Douglas vacation?
Are you a pet friendly gay hotel?
Entertainment and Dining Answers:
Is there a cover or drink minimum at the pool?
No. To help you make the most of your gay friendly Saugatuck Douglas vacation, there is not a cover or drink minimum at the pool (always an exception, right — Porn at the Pool over the July 4th Weekend, might have a small cover)!
What is the cover at the club?
We offer affordable cover charges at the Dunes, one of the best gay bars in Michigan!
Memorial Day through Labor Day
Friday & Saturday nights: $5 (Saturday's 7/8 – 8/26 Cover $10)
Special Event Weekends: ie: Hoedown, GoGirls, Bearracuda cover may vary as these are produced by a 3rd party
Sunday Tea: no cover (except Holiday Tea)
Holiday Weekends: varies (never more than $20 and includes all-day Tea Dance and PM activities)
"Off" season
Friday & Saturday nights: $5 during Special Events (Cabarets, etc.):
Friday nights: no cover
Saturday nights: $5 if we have a DJ or Strippers
Contact us to request specific cover charge information on holiday weekends and during special events.
Are you Adults Only at the pool and bar?
Yes, we are a 21-and-over LGTBQ bar.
Are the pool and different types of gay bars open to the public?
The entire property is open to the public (pool, bar, etc.) so you can enjoy all of the amenities that make The Dunes one of the area's leading gay hotels and lesbian resorts: a main bar (the Main) with large dance floor (the Club), a spacious patio bar (the Deck), a cabaret (the Show Bar) with live entertainment – see schedule), and a Game Room bar (Vinyl Lounge) that overlooks the main bar and deck. With something for everyone, from gay night club dancing and party pics to casual relaxation, The Dunes easily becomes your favorite destination for gay bars in Michigan!
Do you have DJs and gay club dancing?
Check the The Dunes gay men resorts calendar of events on the top right side of this page. Our typical DJ schedule is below:
Memorial Day through Labor Day
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Mondays (Holidays only)
May, September and October
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
November through April
Special Events
You can also learn more about our featured DJ's here.
Enjoy male dancers and gay club dancing every Friday night from Memorial Day – Labor Day, and special Tea Dances in Holidays, July and August. Be sure to check our calendar of events.
Yes, the bar at The Dunes gay hotel and resort has karaoke every Thursday night May – October, every Friday November – April (no cover)!
A tea dance is great excuse to have an afternoon party! Our TEA starts at 4pm and typically runs till 9pm (10pm on the holidays). Make the most of your Saugatuck Douglas vacation and try the Dune's famous Long Islands! Tea Dances always have a DJ!
Do you have gay nightclub pics?
A gallery of gay nightclub pics awaits your viewing pleasure. They go hand in hand with gay nightcub dancing at The Dunes. You can also see more pictures on our Facebook page.
At the Dunes Resort we have The Blue Frog serving great food to take with you. Open Memorial Day – Labor Day from 11a – 5p daily (Burger Hut open during Tea Dances 5-8p and during Poolside Bingo Wednesdays 6/21 – 8/23). For other options, check out the Saugatuck/Douglas area business association, or ask at the front desk for details.
Driving and Transportation Answers:
How far are the Dunes from Chicago or Detroit?
A Saugatuck Douglas vacation at The Dunes is just a little over 2 hours from Chicago and the O'Hare Airport. The Holland Train Station is about 15 minutes from The Dunes if you want to take the train. Driving from Detroit to the Dunes takes about 3 hours. We've posted directions on our Driving page.
What is the closest airport to Saugatuck Michigan?
Grand Rapids Airport (GRR) is about 40 minutes from The Dunes Gay Hotel and Resort.
The Dunes Resort Saugatuck Accommodations Answers:
Is the Dunes all men, women or both?
We are about 90/10 men/women. We do have three women's weekends a year where the property is 80/20 women/men. Whatever your gender, The Dunes is among the country's leading LGBTQ resorts, with the best gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender bars in Michigan!
Is the Dunes transgender friendly?
Absolutely! The Dunes is a great place to be who you are!!
Can you be nude at the Dunes pool?
No. Michigan has strict liquor laws, no nudity in a liquor service area.
How far is the beach from the Resort?
Oval Beach is about a 5 minute car ride away from the Dunes Resort. The Douglas Beach is about 3 minutes away.
What lodging opportunities and amenities are available during my Saugatuck Douglas vacation?
The Dunes Resort gay hotel resort offers the best in gay Saugatuck accommodations with a combination of luxury, comfort and excitement, boasting a total of 81 rooms and individual cottages on 20 acres. There are coffee makers and refrigerators and private bathrooms in all the rooms. All of the cottages also have microwaves. The Duplex(s) and Wiley B have full kitchens. In addition to hotel rooms with 2 double beds or one king, 1 bedroom cottages & suites with king beds, 2 bedroom cottages and Duplex units, the Dunes also provide small inexpensive rooms with a shared bath located in the basement of the standard hotel building. All Dunes accommodations, bars and motel rooms are smoke free per Michigan Law.
Are you a pet friendly gay hotel?
We do accept pets with a $25 per night pet fee.


text:
Search this site:
Who we are
Our work
Where we work
Get Involved
News & Library
News Releases
ED's Speeches
WFP Contributions by year
Immediate Response Account
Media Contacts
Country Programme Guatemala
About this Operation
Operations ID: 200031
Operation Documents
Operation document
Resource Situation
Resource situation
Guatemala ranks 122nd of 182 countries in the 2009 human development index. Its chronic undernutrition/stunting rate of 49 percent among children under 5 is the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean and among the highest in the world; 40 percent of children under 5 suffer from anaemia. Chronic undernutrition rates are 55 percent in rural areas and 69 percent among indigenous populations.
Guatemala faces recurrent natural disasters and has high food prices. Furthermore, the global economic crisis has resulted in reduced remittances, exports and foreign investment. Tourism revenues and access to credit have declined; unemployment and the Government's budget deficit have increased. The combination of these factors is pushing more people into hunger and poverty, in a context of large income disparities and the marginalization of indigenous populations.
The country programme will be implemented in provinces with the highest chronic undernutrition rates which are in the highlands and along the dry corridor: Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Quiché, El Progreso, Chiquimula, Jalapa, Jutiapa and Totonicapán. The country programme is in line with: i) the United Nations Development Assistance Framework for 2010–2014, which focuses on food insecurity and chronic undernutrition; ii) government strategies for reducing chronic undernutrition and disaster preparedness; and iii) national agriculture and gender policies. The outcomes of this country programme will contribute to achieving Millennium Development Goals 1, 3, 4 and 7 and Strategic Objectives 3, 4 and 5 of the WFP Strategic Plan (2008–2011).
The aim of the country programme is to reduce chronic undernutrition and food insecurity among the most vulnerable people in targeted provinces. The objectives are to: i) reduce chronic undernutrition among children under 3; ii) rebuild and improve livelihoods for subsistence farmers affected by recurrent shocks by increasing agricultural production; iii) connect smallholder and low-income farmers with potential surpluses with markets to increase incomes and enhance food security; and iv) enhance government capacities to implement food-based assistance programmes, reduce micronutrient deficiencies, improve the nutrition of people living with HIV and enhance emergency preparedness and response. The programme was designed in consultation with government institutions and United Nations agencies; a workshop for all partners reviewed the functional and geographical priorities. The programme will build on partnerships with government institutions, United Nations agencies and other actors.
WFP aims to enhance capacities in the ministries and institutions involved in managing food-based programmes, with a focus on food security and livelihoods analysis, beneficiary targeting and performance monitoring. This will be critical for handing the country programme over to the Government.
This country programme is proposed for US$19.5 million, based on an estimate of regular contributions and additional resources to be raised by the country office.
Current Operations
Operations database
Projected Needs
Emergency Operations (EMOPs)
Protracted Relief and Recovery (PRROs)
Development Operations (DEVs)
Special Operations (SOs)
Latest News
09 March 2017
School Meals Remain Indispensable in Kenya
08 March 2017
Empowering Women Refugees in Uganda
08 March 2017
Challenging Gender Stereotypes – Driving Change in Myanmar
Follow World Food Programme on social networks
2019 © World Food Programme
Terms of Use
Executive Board
WFP Alumni
Mobile Site


text:
BMW has done a wonderful job at creating a lineup of premium motorcycles that represents some of the finest works of engineering and design. Now, they're aiming at entry-level and small-displacement-loving riders.
The writing has been on the wall for quite some time. In the spring of 2013, BMW and Indian manufacturer TVS Motor Co signed a deal to create a new range of sub-500 cc motorcycles. TVS is the fourth-largest maker of motorcycles and scooters in India, and the deal was a part of BMW's new business plan to "realign" its motorcycle business and expand. (Part of this switch also meant selling Husqvarna.)
Now we have spy shots of what has been code-named the K03. This, which is most likely the first of BMW's new models, appears to be a small naked bike. If forced to guess, my money would be on a 300 cc unit, though I won't pretend that my eyes can discern the size from these (or any) photos.
The prototype certainly has a long way to go before seeing a dealership floor, but the inverted fork, alloy wheels, and nicer rubber should see their way onto the production model. It's hard to believe that tiny little light will put out enough illumination or be generic enough for new riders. However, part of me would love to see BMW really swing for the fences in the looks department — if only to ensure their little naked is never confused with a Honda CB300F.
Assuming the Germans are meeting their deadlines (which they are, because they're Germans), this bike should actually see release sometime before the end of the year. Statements were made last May of a release in the third or fourth quarter of 2015.
Some things to think about:
- Let's assume this K03 makes the same power as the CB300F, but has a nicer fork and that lovely BMW fit and finish (which it will need, in order not to dilute the marque's reputation). Can BMW convince people that this isn't just a starter bike and is worth paying more?
- Given BMW's reputation and disposition towards the dirt, could this lead the way to the first 300 cc or sub-500 cc adventure bike?
- Will American buyers get over the fact that it's made in India?
- Will this even come to the United States, or will BMW let Honda continue to rule the sub-500 cc sandbox a while longer?
- Who's ready to ride a BMW S 300 RR?
For a little icing on the cake, I begged a source of mine to give me a teaser on where BMW is headed. All she would confirm is that they have six or more new bikes coming in various displacements and that they're "all the ones you have hoped they would do."
Can anyone guess what sort of models I'm hoping they are?


text:
Friday, June 1, 2012
Masculine Card
17 comments:
- Julie Tucker-Wolek said...
Beautiful card Kirsty!! LOVING the colors and the alphas you used!! And what awesome happy mail!!!!
- June 1, 2012 at 3:15 PM
- Angi said...
Fabulous card for Dad!
- June 1, 2012 at 6:54 PM
- Barbara said...
Just had to comment on your wonderful Father's Day card. I think it is perfect!
- June 1, 2012 at 10:46 PM
a fantastic card
- June 2, 2012 at 1:23 AM
- Glenda Atkins said...
Love your card in blue, great card for Father's day...have a wonderful week-end!
- June 2, 2012 at 4:24 AM
- Ira Huberts said...
And this is a wonderful masculine card, too, Kirsty, with fine colours! How sweet of Linda to send you those beautiful creations of hers, enjoy!
- June 2, 2012 at 6:26 AM
- sandi said...
Wow! What a fabulous card! Love everything about it! And your happy mail looks fab!
- June 2, 2012 at 10:17 AM
- cnelson said...
Such a FAB card! I just LOVE the argyle! LOVIN' that happy mail!
- June 2, 2012 at 11:03 AM
- Ros said...
What a gorgeous card and I love your gifts ... that journal looks amazing!
- June 2, 2012 at 11:31 AM
- Audrey Pettit said...
Great card, Kirsty! I really like the blues here, too. Wonderful stamping. You really rocked the masculine card design.
And what happy goodies you got from Linda! Enjoy!
- June 2, 2012 at 4:22 PM
- Linda R said...
What a wonderful Fathers day card.. That reminds me I still need to make one more..
Your welcome my friend. I am glad you liked it..
- June 2, 2012 at 6:08 PM
- Lynnda said...
Gorgeous Dad card Kirsty!!!... And what a lovely happy mail you got there... awesome... hugs...xoxo
- June 2, 2012 at 7:16 PM
- Sylvia said...
Love your dad card, Kirsty! I love the colors you used on the white! Hope you are having a good weekend! Happy summer day!
- June 3, 2012 at 1:28 AM
- Nicole Hascoet said...
Hi Kirsty, this is Pat. I had to make a new blog due to personal reasons. I hope you don't mind following this one instead. Your card is fabulous as always.
Hugs xx
- June 3, 2012 at 12:55 PM
- Sue Lelli said...
OOOH! Kirsty, I LOVE the blue argyle and your letters! LOVE the stamped clock, too! GREAT card!
- June 4, 2012 at 1:41 PM
- Pauline said...
This is a cool Fathers Day card, love the argyle!
- June 5, 2012 at 2:18 AM
- Davi said...
That is one fabulous happy mail ;) Great man card so clean and simple I like it !
- June 5, 2012 at 3:28 PM


text: Otologic Medical Clinic (OMC) complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex.OMC does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex.OMC provides free aids and services to people with disabilities to communicate effectively with us, such as:Qualified sign language interpreters; andWritten information in other formats.OMC provides free language services to people whose primary language is not English, such as:Qualified interpreters; andSelect information written in other formats.If you need these services, contact Clarence Voth at 405-946-5563If you believe that OMC has failed to provide these services or discriminated in another way on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex, you can file a grievance with: Clarence Voth, Grievance Coordinator 3400 NW 56th StreetOklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112405-946-5563 phone405-945-7185 firstname.lastname@example.com can file a grievance in person or by mail, fax or email. If you need help filing a grievance, Clarence Voth, Grievance Coordinator, is available to help you. You can also file a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights electronically through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal, available at https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/portal/lobby.jsf, or by mail or phone at: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services200 Independence Avenue SWRoom 509F, HHH BuildingWashington, DC 202011–800–368–1019, 800–537–7697 (TDD)Complaint forms are available at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/office/file/index.html.


text:
C2-2355A HD Up-Down-Cross Converter is based on TV One iclusive CORIO2 technology and provides high quality bi-directional conversion between a variety of analog and digital video formats. Input and Outputs can be SD/HD-SDI, DVI, Composite Video, YC, YUV, YPbPr or RGB. Signal parameters of the incoming video may be adjusted. All settings are stored in non-volatile memory and are retained even when power is switched off. Ten user defined presets are also available to customize settings for various applications. The high resolution RGB/YPbPr output is selectable as virtually any PC or HDTV resolution. Our exclusive AutoSet feature takes the hassle out of setup by automatically sizing and positioning the computer image to fit exactly on the video screen. NTSC, PAL, PAL-M, PAL-N, SECAM standards are supported.NOTE: This product has been discontinued. See the above SIMILAR Tab for equivalent products or, if not there, call us at 800-841-9238 right now to discuss your needs.
All the functions can be controlled via the front panel Push Buttons, Infrared, RS-232 or IP. CORIOtools Suite, Windows Control Panel and most third party control systems interface directly with the entire C2 range of products. A front panel LCD makes setup easy. The unit is housed in a desktop case and an optional rackmount kit is available that holds one or two units.
Variable Zoom to 10X enlarges any part of the computer screen to fill the entire video screen and position controls allow movement to any area desired. Variable Shrink to as little as 10% allows fitting the image onto most displays. The advanced Digital Flicker Elimination circuitry and high sampling rate ensures crisp, clear images, while full bandwidth chroma sampling ensures faithfully reproduced, high resolution colors. Motion compensation, diagonal interpolation and a 3:2 Pulldown feature for NTSC improves the image quality. Temporal interpolation greatly improves frame-rate conversion by analyzing and merging successive frames. Pixel Level Motion Adaptive Diagonal Interpolation ensures high quality de-interlacing of PAL and NTSC signals.
Advanced Features - The Key Mode allows computer graphics to be keyed over an external Composite, YC or SDI (C2-2355A) signal, or vice versa. The keyed image may be faded in and out. Due to the 4:4:4 sampling format, precise keying at the pixel level can be achieved. The Mix Mode permits Seamless Cut, Fade or Wipe transitions between input sources. The PIP Mode allows either of the computer inputs to be inset in a window over either of the video inputs or vice versa. The PIP window may be placed anywhere on the screen. The Edge Blending feature allows feathering any or all of the edges; multiple images can be aligned vertically, horizontally, or both to create unusual displays. Using multiple units, any number of images can be blended. Gamma correction is employed to compensate for many of the problems faced when blending projectors. The Genlock feature ensures precise synchronization of the incoming signals by providing a wide Subcarrier lock range with Subcarrier phase adjust.
Input Expansion is possible by using the optional S2 Series Input Expansion Switchers for SD/HD-SDI, DVI, RGB, YPbPr, YUV, Composite or YC. These units link to C2 unit via an OPTIONS Interconnect Cable and become an integral part of the main unit from a control and operational standpoint. The routing of these additional inputs is controlled directly from the control system of the C2 unit. Multiple different S2 models may be simultaneously connected to a single C2 unit.
Basic Stereo Audio switching is accomplished by an integral 4x1 audio routing switcher. The four impedance-independent, unbalanced inputs follow the video input selection. A rear panel terminal block provides input and output access.
Advanced Stereo Audio is available via the optional S2-106AD Input Expansion Switcher , providing six differential audio inputs, which can be used for low impedance balanced or high impedance unbalanced sources. The user controls audio level, audio sampling frequencies and up to 999ms of adjustable audio delay independently for each input. The unit has numerous choices for audio I/O connectors, including a terminal block. The S2-106AD connects to the C2 unit via the OPTIONS interconnect cable and is then fully integrated into the control system of the host unit.
Same as C2-2350A, plus SD-HD/SDI Input and Output Features:
- Up-Down-Cross Conversion
- Inputs: DVI-D, YUV/YPbPr, RGB/YPbPr , CV, YC, plus SD/HD-SDI on model C2-2355A
- Outputs: DVI-I (RGB/YPbPr/YUV), CV, YC, plus SD/HD-SDI on model C2-2355A
- Analog: PC to 2048x2048, HDTV to 1080p/60
- DVI: PC to 1920x1200, HDTV to 1080p/60
- Supports: NTSC, PAL, PAL-M, PAL-N, SECAM
- Motion Compensation & 3:2 Pulldown
- Temporal Interpolation & Diagonal Interpolation
- Automatic Incoming Resolution Detection
- AutoSet - Automatic picture sizing of PC inputs
- 4:4:4 Full bandwidth Chroma Sampling
- Video signal parameter adjustments
- Integral 4x1 Stereo Audio Routing Switcher
- RS-232 and IP Interface, CORIOtools Suite & WCP
- Variable Image Zoomto 10X and Shrink to 10%
- Genlock With Subcarrier Phase Adjustment
- Mix, PIP, Chroma/Lumakey & Edge Blending
- Optional Single/Dual Rackmount Kit
- Optional Input Expansion with S2 Switchers
Why not buy this Same as C2-2350A, plus SD-HD/SDI Input and Output today?
Same as C2-2350A, plus SD-HD/SDI Input and Output Specifications
- Video Inputs
- Television Standards: NTSC, PAL, PAL-M, PAL-N, SECAM
- Composite Video: 1x via BNC
- YC (S-Video): 1x via 4-Pin Mini-DIN
- YUV /YPbPr: 1x via 3-BNC
- SD/HD-SDI: 1x via BNC (C2-2355A only)
- Computer Inputs
- Signal Type: 1x Analog via HD15 Connector 1x DVI-D via DVI-I Connector
- Format: RGBHV, RGBS, RGsB, YPbPr
- Sync: TTL Level, 10K, Pos or Neg
- Termination: 75
- R-G-B Level Range: 0.5-2.0 Vp-p
- Scan Rate Detection: Automatic
- Analog Signals: PC to 2048x2048,HD to 1080p/60
- DVI Signals: PC to 1920x1200,HD to 1080p/60
- Max Horiz Scan Rate: 150KHz
- Computer Compatibility: PC, Macintosh, Workstations
- Video Outputs
- Television Standards: NTSC, PAL, PAL-M, PAL-N, SECAM
- Impedance: 75
- Composite Video: 1x via BNC
- YC (S-Video): 1x via 4-PIN Mini-DIN
- YUV, YPbPr: 1x via DVI/RGB Conn. (shared)
- SD/HD-SDI: 1x via BNC (C2-2355A only)
- Computer Outputs
- Signal Type: 1x DVI-I via DVI-I Connector 1x Analog RGB (C2-2350A only) via HD-15 Connector
- Format: RGBHV, RGBS, RGsB, YPbPr
- R-G-B Level: 0.7 Vp-p
- Analog Signals: PC to 2048x2048,HD to 1080p/60
- DVI Signals: PC to 1920x1200,HD to 1080p/60
- Vertical Refresh Rate: Any to 250Hz
- Size and Position: Automatic AutoSet or Manual
- Image Size: User-Definable Presets
- Image Freeze: One Video Frame
- Settings Memory: Non-Volatile
- Zoom Range: Variable to 10X Zoom
- Shrink Range: Variable to 10%
- Image Mirroring: Horizontal and/or Vertical
- Horizontal Filtering: Full Digital
- Conversion Technology: Proprietary - CORIO2
- Framerate Conversion: Temporal
- Color Resolution: 24-bit (16.8 Million Colors)
- Sampling Rate: 162MHz
- Digital Sampling: 24-bit, 4:4:4 format
- Firmware Memory: Flash, Upgradeable via RS-232
- Video Encoder: 8-bit Digital
- Video Decoder: 9-bit Digital
- De-Interlacing(NTSC-PAL): Pixel-level Motion Adaptive,Diagonal Interpolation
- Comb Filter Decoding: Adaptive
- Film Mode (NTSC): 3:2 Pulldown
- CV/YC: Contrast, Brightness, Saturation, Hue (NTSC).
- Video Adjustments: Analog RGB/YPbPr levels
- Audio Input/Output: (Note 1)
- Inputs: 4x Unbalanced via Terminals
- Output: Unbalanced via Terminals
- I/O Impedance: Impedance-Independent
- Operational Modes
- Key: Chromakey or Lumakey
- Mix: PC to/from Video
- PIP: Variable Window Size & Position
- Genlock Adjustments
- Subcarrier Lock Range: +/- 200Hz for NTSC Operation (+/- 250Hz for PAL Operation)
- Subcarrier Phase: +/- 180djustment
- SDI Jitter
- SMPTE259M-C(SD-SDI): (270Mbps:525/625Line) Jitter 0.070 +/-0.01 UI
- SMPTE292M(HD-SDI): (1.485/1.4835Gbps:720p, 1035i, 1080i, 1080p) Jitter 0.176 +/- 0.02 UI
- I/O Vertical Rates - SMPTE259M-C (SD-SDI)
- 525i (720x488): 59.94Hz
- 625i (720x576): 50 Hz
- I/O Vertical Rates - SMPTE292M (HD-SDI)
- 720p (1280x720): 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60Hz
- 1035i (1920x1035): 59.94, 60Hz
- 1080i (1920x1080): 50, 59.94, 60Hz
- 1080p (1920x1080): 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30Hz
- Control Methods
- Local: via Front Panel Buttons & OSD
- IP Interface: via RJ45 Connector
- RS-232 Interface: via D9 Female Connector
- Infrared Remote: via optional IRC-5 Remote Unit
- Input Expansion Control via D-15 Options Connector
- Warranty
- Limited Warranty: 5 Years Parts and Labor
- Regulatory Compliance
- Main Units: FCC, CE, RoHS
- Power Supplies: UL, CUL, CE, PSE, GS, RoHS
- Mechanical
- Size (H-W-D): 41.5x218x150mm(1.63,8.6,5.9)
- Weight (Net): 1.30kg (2.86 lbs)
- Environmental
- Operating Temperature: 0o +50 (+32o +122)
- Operating Humidity: 10% to 85%, Non-condensing
- Storage Temperature: -10o +70 (+14o +158)
- Storage Humidity: 10% to 85%, Non-condensing
- Power Requirement
- External Power Supply: firstname.lastname@example.com (Note 2)
- Accessories Included
- 1x Operations Manual
- 1x Power Adapter: US, UK, Euro or AU
- Product Item Numbers
- C2-2355A: Version with SD/HD-SDI In/Out
- Optional Accessories
- RM-220: Single/Dual Rackmount Kit
- IRC-5: IR Remote Control Unit
- S2 Series: Input Expansion Switchers
- Control Software: Downloadable form Website
- Note:
- The C2-2155A uses the Composite Video input provided for Key/Mix/PIP functions as a Genlock input. The C2-2105A has a dedicated Composite Video Genlock input.
- The C2 unit uses less than 1A, however, if an S2 unit is powered via the OPTIONS connector, 1.5A is required.
- Balanced Audio (6-inputs) and Audio Delay is available via the S2-106AD accessory.
Questions & Answers
Ask a question about the tvONE Same as C2-2350A, plus SD-HD/SDI Input and Output or Call 800-841-9238
tvONE Same as C2-2350A, plus SD-HD/SDI Input and Output


text:
Great institutions, governments, corporations and banks have risen and fallen in the course of history. Insecurity, excesses, remoteness and lack of vision assured their demise. Flexibility, adaptability, and innovation assured their survival and success.
At Hinduja Bank, our clients find a service philosophy motivated by Partnership, Security, and Innovation.
We partner with our clients and create ideas and opportunities, be it investments, trading, or corporate strategies.
With an entrepreneur mindset, we understand and respect our fast-paced clients yet we remain grounded in strong foundations of security and risk management.
Rather than promoting product sales, we offer our clients customised approaches targeted to unique needs and investment profiles.


text:
Technical Translation Services
Technical translations require not only a skilled linguist, but a technical translator with an industry-specific background. Product packaging, industrial manuals, and a variety of other specialized documents fall within this category. Many of ALTA's linguists combine a career skill or industry knowledge with native knowledge of the target language.
Technical Translation in the Language You Need:
- Spanish
- Arabic
- French
- Traditional Chinese
- Simplified Chinese
- German
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Portuguese
- More…
The Right Tools
Whether you're translating product packaging, product manuals, user manuals, patents, Material Date Safety Sheets, specifications, or technical drawings, there's often a design component to technical translation. ALTA can provide turnkey service to lay out and return your document in its native format, be that AutoCad, InDesign, PageMaker, FrameMaker, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and more.
Why Trust ALTA With Your Technical Translation?
- ISO Certification. ALTA's Translation Quality Management System is ISO Certified, ensuring we have the correct processes and procedures in place to create a high-quality translation.
- Proven Success providing Technical Translations. For more than 30 years, ALTA has managed thousands of projects involving technical language for highly specialized industries, and our clients for this type of work have returned to us again and again.
- Technical specialists: Unlike some other agencies, ALTA only uses technical translators for technical translation projects. These dedicated professionals have resource materials, educational background and industry experience that no general translator could match.
- We leverage translated text against new projects: ALTA uses the most modern translation resource tools to archive your translations and leverage them against new work, often resulting in a substantial reduction in time and cost.
- A full-service agency: ALTA can place translated source text directly into your English layout, allowing us to provide you with a document that's ready to print.
- Free quotations: A project manager will analyze your project and deliver a free quotation today. Call 800.895.8210 or fill out and send the Free Quote form above.
Technical Documents
Writing technical documents and manuals requires highly-specialized skills. It should come as no surprise, then, that technical document translation also requires a high level of talent and ability.
In commercial applications, technical writing can take the form of installation and owner's manuals, operator manuals, user documentation, material safety data sheets (MSDSs), training materials, online help and more. Marketing materials such as white papers, as well as legal disclaimers and warranties, also fall within the scope of technical writing. This highly-specialized type of writing requires that technical translations not only be accurate, but also that they convey complex concepts with a concise precision.
Take The Next Step…
For more information about the technical translation process, or to obtain a free estimate, give us a call at 800.895.8210 or fill out the Free Quote form above.
Back to Translation Services