[ceejayoz]

The argument is that something the size and complexity of the JWST has never been attempted, which leaves a lot of Rumsfeld's famous "unknown unknowns" it's unfair to saddle the contractor with. There really needs to be a middle-ground on cost-plus contracts; something that allows for unanticipated issues to be dealt with, but punishes shoddy work or insanely silly lowball bids.

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/shodd...

> In a vibration test of the telescope earlier this year in California by prime contractor Northrop Grumman, dozens of loose fasteners — some 70 pieces in all — came off. A few pieces are still missing and could well be inside the observatory. The locknuts were not tightened properly before the test, according to a report by the board.

This sort of thing (IIRC, this individual issue cost $150M) should come directly out of the contractor's profits.

[alistairSH]

I see your point for true research programs. But, we see similar patterns all the way down to building subways stations - massive overruns and delays and the taxpayer stuck with the bill. Building an above-grade rail should be a mostly solved problem. Just now, in DC metro, we have the Silver line expansion to Dulles - crap concrete is causing massive delays, but instead of forcing the contractor to replace it, the solution is just "eh, we'll just inspect it more often and hope it doesn't fall on anybody's head." And that doesn't solve the delay - it's still years overdue.