Except that this was a fixed price contract. If they don't get it right the pork train does come to an end.
Every time the barrel emptied in the past, a new barrel full to the brim with pork was delivered.
Yes there are more fixed price contracts, but if you fuck up like Starliner you are less likely to get another one.
And even if you could get it. Boeing peadership has clearly stated they are basically not really interested in that anymore. The have lost billions on fixed price contracts in space and military.
Boeing has not been able to get much new from NASA. Their moon lander was basically embaracing. They are in the nee private station buissness much.
One SLS gets finally mercy killed they will not be a prime contractor anymore.
I've never heard anyone call the federal government that.
It wasn't. As of right now, Boeing is massively in the hole on the project. The only way they get paid if they successfully complete the development program and then fly the 6 operational flights.