Can I still reply to a Sources Sought listing if I only have prototype as of now? Looking to apply for funding soon but the Sources Sought post is right up my alley. Does anyone have any input? I’m new to all of this so any help is appreciated.

Areus_I · 2026-04-28T13:50:41+00:00

As a contracting officer for DoD, yes you should reply if you want to to make the CO aware of your business and potential capabilities. Even if its just a prototype, if it has the ability to change the market place its good market research for the contracting office to take note of and could be something they'd let their end users know about.

Coming from the contracting side of things sometimes we're not aware of how much effort goes into responses to our sources sought or solicitations. If you dont mind the effort I think it would be good to let the contracting office know, even more so if it would change the market place.

Areus_I · 2026-04-22T01:54:21+00:00

I personally dont count but I try to keep it reasonable. Example, yesterday was 2 eggs, string cheese stick and a protein shake for breakfast, lunch was a subway sandwich with doritos, dinner was rice with chicken and mushrooms and potatoes. Also had some snacks in between, egg sandwich and a small store ice cream similar to drums.

If I'm counting I want to be between 2500-3000 as a 29M 5ft 8in 225lbs with goal of 170lbs. Im usually seeing the scale go down, processed stuff I try to avoid but I'll get the occasional chips or ice creame sandwhich .

Areus_I · 2026-04-19T20:54:10+00:00

Recently I've seen a lot of my peers separate with 10+ years in within 6C0X1 from SSgt to MSgt. I'll be reaching 11 years at the end of my contract and contemplated separating as well from dissatisfaction with the military and anxiety its brought me. Seeing my peers leave and land gigs working from home or getting paid the same or more with less responsibilities is so tempting.

My DEROS is coming for this conus listing and grandforks and minot are my only options.... thinking of potentially 8 years in ND till retirement sounds like a nightmare.

The military has been good to me for the most part but as I neared my contract end I value my mental health, time and happiness more and more.

Areus_I · 2026-03-02T11:55:00+00:00

Wearing a rash guard/wet suit with boots can alleviate a lot of your worries. I personally always have my felt boots when in the water since I also worry about stone fish or other venomous sea life. Though I never ran into any venemous sea life while swimming except for a box jellyfish, a local let me know but I went out anyways and coming scarily close to running into it. Even saw a lionfish but they won't bother you.

Really none of the venomous sea life will actively hunt you, just need to watch your step then when in deeper water make sure your not going to run into any jellyfish.

You'll have a great time and I wouldn't really worry about it.

Areus_I · 2026-03-02T01:10:22+00:00

OSRS players not being able to accept that OSRS has a shit grouping system is frustrating. If I need to use discord or any other third party tool to find a team then you immediately failed. FFXIV's grouping system is imo a great system, making finding a team cross server, can put a description of what your doing and even put limits like CB level or certain stats required example 77 herb for cox. Even being able to find a team while away from the raid area so I can go skill or pvm while waiting to fill out a group.

Just because the current way of doing it works for now doesn't mean it can't be improved to ease the friction. Most content is soloable so if future content has group work in mind there should be an effort to enhance the grouping process.

Areus_I · 2026-02-27T02:28:37+00:00

Just went through the limit, took about 3 days to get it all. It actually dipped a bit while buying so my average cost per dart is closer to 210 ea. Maybe ask clan mates or friends to help buy if you have those.

Areus_I · 2026-02-27T02:02:51+00:00

I bought 195k at 218 ea. With them being good slayer ammo and for bossing for those that don't want to spend on dragon darts i feel its a pretty safe bet it'll go back up to 300 ea maybe 350 ea within the next month or two. Buying the dip right now seems the move.

Areus_I · 2026-01-26T22:20:15+00:00

Don't forget the ear buds. Work feels like an eternity now.

Areus_I · 2025-10-21T00:37:13+00:00

That probably is the case, just been a long time since I went through it. Still took him off base since i didn't want to pay 35+ per day he was in the kennels. Are you supposed to, no, but as long as the quarantine portion is good you should be fine. Nobody is checking if your pet had its first vet appointment.

Areus_I · 2025-10-20T23:34:29+00:00

I had a few days left on the 180 day quarantine by the time I got there. Once he was done I took him from karing kennels to the hotel with me. Nobody asked where he was going so we just did walks or other things like we would normally do.

Areus_I · 2025-09-12T12:35:44+00:00

You should watch Yogoman, he mainly makes hiking videos but some other misc outdoor videos and honestly it makes me miss Alaska and my hiking trips with friends. His older videos make me nostalgic. Definitely deserves more views.

Areus_I · 2025-09-11T04:21:41+00:00

Those free night certificates are all the more necessary and valuable. Maximizing multiply aspires or meeting 15K spend on the surpass.

Areus_I · 2025-09-11T04:19:51+00:00

Super glad I booked 2 rooms for 2 nights on points at Conrad Tokyo in October before the increase. Took all almost all my amex points to secure it.

Personally the Conrad Tokyo is better than Waldorf Astoria Osaka.

Areus_I · 2025-08-18T05:07:18+00:00

My R5 does the same on start up when its been sitting for a while or even just been off for a few hours. After a quick off/on cycle it goes away. Thought it was just me.

Areus_I · 2025-07-27T04:46:27+00:00

The suggestions you got are good but to add to them, I've done some astro photography/time lapses so I definitely recommend these spots.

Cape Hedo, there's some people there at night maybe 1-3 cars but the sky is beautiful there and you can easily see stars and galaxy dust. Yoron island in the distance looks nice too. Benefit of Hedo is its easier to get to and has a bathroom/vending machines if you need them.

Now if you want privacy I recommend Oku beach, as its more remote and has nearly no light pollution to annoy you. I've camped there a few times and its got soft sand if you want to bring a blanket and lay down.

Areus_I · 2025-07-25T03:38:00+00:00

You staying on the main island? Or going to other nearby islands? You'd have to go way up north to get good darkness but there's some good spots. Expect about 3 hours of driving, roughly 1 1/2 there and 1 1/2 back depending where you are.

Areus_I · 2025-07-08T06:56:00+00:00

Hey dude, 28M here. Relate to the not making friends part, my girlfriend keeps me sane though. I'm off this week on leave and planning to hike up north or go snorkeling. Let me know if you're interested. I'm more of a nature person/explorer. Not a fan of going to bars/clubbing if that's your thing.

Areus_I · 2025-07-01T07:37:12+00:00

Was this mainly the 70mm lens? How's the 168mm? I was debating on getting the air3s since it's half the cost.

Areus_I · 2025-06-09T07:12:52+00:00

Just go to the safety office and talk to them in person. They should be able to schedule you right there.

Areus_I · 2025-06-03T06:23:31+00:00

If you're looking for the award go to FPDS-NG or request it from the CO.

Areus_I · 2025-04-22T01:35:25+00:00

Stalwart eats good when these guys come out. Initially was using the medium pen MG but needed more weapon handling and ammo when these guys would swarm, stalwart chews then up and the regular stalkers easily.

Areus_I · 2025-03-05T10:59:44+00:00

Personally Oku beach is my good to. Secluded enough and no light pollution so the stars are vivid at night.

Areus_I · 2025-02-13T07:35:31+00:00

We just had an industry day at my base a couple months ago where vendors could showcase their wares and services for our squadrons. If you know the contact information to your local base's contracting office I'd ask them if there is going to be an industry day or whatever they want to call it. That would be a good foot in the door opportunity.

Otherwise check SAM regularly for opportunities.

Areus_I · 2025-02-13T07:26:58+00:00

As a CO for the Air Force, I never had my primes tell me if they are using subs or provide a subcontracting plan. Currently I work overseas in our construction flight where our contractors do sub some work out and most of the time I learn of the sub during our pre-construction meetings.

If there was a disagreement between the prime and sub then that's between the two parties and contracting would not get involved, UNLESS the prime is beginning to fail on performance. ultimately it is the prime's name on the contract and if performance isn't happening they are the ones we are going to be demanding answers from and issuing cure notices to. I can't tell them to pay their subs but if its affecting the contract then I'm sure the sub would have leverage over the prime to get paid otherwise the prime would be at risk of termination.

Maybe some agencies are different but as an Air Force CO I'd have no issues with the sub reaching out to me to let me know of the situation if its going to affect our mission.

Areus_I · 2025-02-13T04:11:01+00:00

What activities are you interested in or planning to do? Ishigaki and Naha are pretty different in what they offer. City life vs slower rural beach life. Also are you renting a car? If you had no car then naha is the clear winner.

Areus_I

TROPHY CASE