In a message dated 10/17/2006 2:36:59 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

Well,  some of the people here argue that, if their competitors could read
their  reports, they would get a good idea of how they're undercutting  each
other's prices & winning contracts...
Other than that, in a lot  of cases you have to show some reason for why you
should be allowed to see  the reports; public curiosity is not considered a
valid  excuse



There are two good reasons for tracking down all previous reports. First,  in 
order to assess the progress made on addressing regional research designs.  
Second, to ensure that data recovered in a survey/test/ or major recovery  
program actually contributes to the cumulative body of data on the research  
topic. If the lead agency professionally reviews the work and makes sure  everyone 
is on the same page with regards to acres surveyed, distance between  
surveyors, quantities tested or recovered, and the research design demonstrates  equal 
understanding of what has been investigated up to that point, then there  
should be no room for undercutting (ie. lowballing) in proposals. If they are  
all on the same page, then it should come down to hiring less expensive help or  
taking deeper cuts in the overhead or profit margin of the contract.
 
Ron May
Legacy 106, Inc.