VFA Inc., a provider of integrated software and services for facilities asset management, capital planning and capital spend management, read with interest the article on the U.S. Dept. of Defense's recent decision to standardize on SMS BUILDER. While we support the DOD's efforts to standardize, the article did not address our concerns surrounding the closed procurement process used to select taxpayer-funded software over commercial options, such as VFA, which have long served the federal market, including DOD agencies.

Despite repeated inquires, the DOD has chosen not to explain or justify its decision or provide information that would clarify if there are any conflicts of interest surrounding the decision.

Standardizing data management is a reasonable business practice. However, we ask that there be a fair and open procurement process based on the best available solutions in the market and that federal funds not be used to compete with the private sector, which has been policy since the Eisenhower administration.

Gerald G. Kokos is the president and CEO of VFA Inc.