In other words, you prefer ignorance - your mind is made up, facts need not intrude into your world.

Um, no, those would be your words. My cynicism comes from seeing both ends of the aerospace and construction contract process over a period of several decades. If I tend to entertain suspicions about government contracts, it is because I've seen how easily abuses of the system happen. While you could be correct about the RFP process for SRBs, I do not get my "facts" from unknown people on Slashdot (although I have no idea why I'm so suspicious), and I would still suspect more was involved than you think in any case.

If you think the procurement process is clean, I suggest you google on "Duke Cunningham". Then ask yourself how a few million in bribes got translated into multi-million dollar federal contracts. When you answer that one, first ask yourself why the people who paid the bribes are not going to jail with Cunningham. Second, ask yourself why the people who awarded the contracts aren't going to jail (there's a good reason why). It doesn't have to be that blatant either; there are plenty of piddling little power and payback games that go on with contract awards.