December 7, 2011
Dear American Citizens:
Recently, the Veterans Administration purchased 100,000 TV amplification systems from China for $16 million dollars, instead of buying the technically superior, American made TV Ears system for $13 million dollars. As an American citizen, I’m certain you are wondering, as I did, why our government would spend our tax dollars buying an inferior and more expensive product from China?
Instead of letting this pass, I took action and filed a protest with the VA in Washington D.C. which began an eye-opening experience. The VA defended their purchase decision by stating the TV Ears system failed their test and therefore they had to buy the Chinese made product. Because TV Ears is the number one selling system in the world, I simply asked for a re-test.
Given our current economic times and the buy America rhetoric coming out of our politicians, I thought our government officials would do everything they could to help an American manufacturer get this lucrative contract – a contract which would lead to more American jobs. Amazingly, it was the opposite reaction!
The VA in Washington D.C. turned down my protest because they said it was formatted incorrectly. After this, the GAO in Washington D.C. turned down my protest because they said it was delivered improperly. This was all followed by the government’s attorney responding to me by challenging every detail of my protest to the point where I was overwhelmed. In the end, my protest was never accepted, TV Ears was never re-tested, the VA hurt our brand by publicly stating our product is technically unacceptable, and every month the VA is buying product from China.
As an American citizen and an American business owner, I can’t explain how disheartening this experience has been for me. To know I make the best product and provide the best service right here in America yet our government officials are being influenced to buy from China is simply disgusting. At one point, I simply emailed them and said, “Help, people need jobs,” and they basically responded to me by saying this was not their problem and that they did not care.
I am concerned about the way our government officials are being influenced by China and although this is a relatively small story, it’s an excellent example of influence and the inability of our government to make common sense decisions for the good of our country and working families.
I am asking the contracting officers at the VA for two things:
- To recant their defamatory written statements about my brand-TV Ears.
- To conduct a head to head test – TV amplification system made in China vs. American made TV Ears – to determine the best product for our veterans.
Please join in my efforts by sharing my story with your friends and family and ask them to write their congressmen, senators, and the contracting officers listed here.
Darlene Smith darlene.smith4@va.gov , Michael Johnson michael.johnson25f8eb@va.gov , Karen Law-Robinson Karen.Law-Robinson@va.gov , Cordell Smith cordell.smith@va.gov , and the head of VA acquisitions Mr. Jan Frye jan.frye@va.gov.
It is my belief that the VA blocked my protest because they know that if my product is re-tested it would pass all tests and be found to be the superior product that The Nevada Sound Research Lab determined it to be in independent tests. When you contact the VA, be prepared for them to defend their position by pointing out that the award was given to a German company that uses an American distributor – this in an attempt to take the focus off of the fact that the product is manufactured in China.
For the complete details of this story, visit tvearsblog.com and click the upper right hand corner “The VA & TV Ears” or email me at george.usa1@tvears.com.
Sincerely,
George J. Dennis
Founder & President
TV Ears, Inc.