Sample records for profit optimizing subcontractor

  1. Capital Investment Motivational Techniques Used by Prime Contractors on Subcontractors

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1984-12-01

    by block number) Productivity; Profit Policy; Subcontractors; Weighted Guidelines; Profitability; Profit 20. ABSTRACT (Continue on reverse aide If...probably productivity gains that could be made if defense contractors increased their investment [6:39]. A major deterrent to the Weighted Guideline...any profit gained would be offset to some degree by a profit loss from a reduction in profit based on costs . This result is a consequence of the cost

  2. 32 CFR 203.6 - Cost principles.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 32 National Defense 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Cost principles. 203.6 Section 203.6 National... Cost principles. (a) Non-profit contractors must comply with the cost principles in OMB Circular A-122...) For-profit contractors and subcontractors must comply with the cost principles in the FAR (48 CFR part...

  3. 48 CFR 252.215-7000 - Pricing adjustments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... clauses entitled “Price Reduction for Defective Cost or Pricing Data—Modifications,” “Subcontractor Cost... increases and/or decreases in cost plus applicable profits. (End of clause) [56 FR 36479, July 31, 1991, as...

  4. Minimizing Project Cost by Integrating Subcontractor Selection Decisions with Scheduling

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Biruk, Sławomir; Jaśkowski, Piotr; Czarnigowska, Agata

    2017-10-01

    Subcontracting has been a worldwide practice in the construction industry. It enables the construction enterprises to focus on their core competences and, at the same time, it makes complex project possible to be delivered. Since general contractors bear full responsibility for the works carried out by their subcontractors, it is their task and their risk to select a right subcontractor for a particular work. Although subcontractor management has been admitted to significantly affect the construction project’s performance, current practices and past research deal with subcontractor management and scheduling separately. The proposed model aims to support subcontracting decisions by integrating subcontractor selection with scheduling to enable the general contractor to select the optimal combination of subcontractors and own crews for all work packages of the project. The model allows for the interactions between the subcontractors and their impacts on the overall project performance in terms of cost and, indirectly, time and quality. The model is intended to be used at the general contractor’s bid preparation stage. The authors claim that the subcontracting decisions should be taken in a two-stage process. The first stage is a prequalification - provision of a short list of capable and reliable subcontractors; this stage is not the focus of the paper. The resulting pool of available resources is divided into two subsets: subcontractors, and general contractor’s in-house crews. Once it has been defined, the next stage is to assign them to the work packages that, bound by fixed precedence constraints, form the project’s network diagram. Each package is possible to be delivered by the general contractor’s crew or some of the potential subcontractors, at a specific time and cost. Particular crews and subcontractors can be contracted more than one package, but not at the same time. Other constraints include the predefined project completion date (the project is not allowed to take longer) and maximum total value of subcontracted work. The problem is modelled as a mixed binary linear program that minimizes project cost. It can be solved using universal solvers (e.g. LINGO, AIMMS, CPLEX, MATLAB and Optimization Toolbox, etc.). However, developing a dedicated decision-support tool would facilitate practical applications. To illustrate the idea of the model, the authors present a numerical example to find the optimal set of resources allocated to a project.

  5. 48 CFR 52.215-23 - Limitations on Pass-Through Charges.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... indirect costs and associated profit/fee based on such costs). No or negligible value means the Contractor... value means that the Contractor performs subcontract management functions that the Contracting Officer... Contractor or subcontractor that adds no or negligible value to a contract or subcontract, means a charge to...

  6. Predicting subcontractor performance using web-based Evolutionary Fuzzy Neural Networks.

    PubMed

    Ko, Chien-Ho

    2013-01-01

    Subcontractor performance directly affects project success. The use of inappropriate subcontractors may result in individual work delays, cost overruns, and quality defects throughout the project. This study develops web-based Evolutionary Fuzzy Neural Networks (EFNNs) to predict subcontractor performance. EFNNs are a fusion of Genetic Algorithms (GAs), Fuzzy Logic (FL), and Neural Networks (NNs). FL is primarily used to mimic high level of decision-making processes and deal with uncertainty in the construction industry. NNs are used to identify the association between previous performance and future status when predicting subcontractor performance. GAs are optimizing parameters required in FL and NNs. EFNNs encode FL and NNs using floating numbers to shorten the length of a string. A multi-cut-point crossover operator is used to explore the parameter and retain solution legality. Finally, the applicability of the proposed EFNNs is validated using real subcontractors. The EFNNs are evolved using 22 historical patterns and tested using 12 unseen cases. Application results show that the proposed EFNNs surpass FL and NNs in predicting subcontractor performance. The proposed approach improves prediction accuracy and reduces the effort required to predict subcontractor performance, providing field operators with web-based remote access to a reliable, scientific prediction mechanism.

  7. Predicting Subcontractor Performance Using Web-Based Evolutionary Fuzzy Neural Networks

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Subcontractor performance directly affects project success. The use of inappropriate subcontractors may result in individual work delays, cost overruns, and quality defects throughout the project. This study develops web-based Evolutionary Fuzzy Neural Networks (EFNNs) to predict subcontractor performance. EFNNs are a fusion of Genetic Algorithms (GAs), Fuzzy Logic (FL), and Neural Networks (NNs). FL is primarily used to mimic high level of decision-making processes and deal with uncertainty in the construction industry. NNs are used to identify the association between previous performance and future status when predicting subcontractor performance. GAs are optimizing parameters required in FL and NNs. EFNNs encode FL and NNs using floating numbers to shorten the length of a string. A multi-cut-point crossover operator is used to explore the parameter and retain solution legality. Finally, the applicability of the proposed EFNNs is validated using real subcontractors. The EFNNs are evolved using 22 historical patterns and tested using 12 unseen cases. Application results show that the proposed EFNNs surpass FL and NNs in predicting subcontractor performance. The proposed approach improves prediction accuracy and reduces the effort required to predict subcontractor performance, providing field operators with web-based remote access to a reliable, scientific prediction mechanism. PMID:23864830

  8. Solar project cost report

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Hale, H.J.

    1978-01-01

    This report provides detailed cost information for the Reedy Creek Utilities solar space heating, cooling and service water heating project located in Walt Disney World, Florida. The solar energy system cools, heats and supplies service hot water for approximately 5625 ft/sup 2/ of office space in a general office building. The system was designed as an integral part of the building at the time the building was designed. The construction costs of this solar project are presented in this report. Category costs are listed by materials, direct labor, and subcontract costs. The subcontract costs include both materials, labor, overhead andmore » profit for electrical, control and other minor subcontractors.« less

  9. Solar project cost report for Ingham County, Medical Care Facility, Okemos, Michigan

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Not Available

    The solar energy system supplies service hot water for a 204 bed medical and geriatric care facility with laundry and kitchen. The system was designed at the time the building was designed. The 9,374 ft/sup 2/ of collectors were manufactured by Revere Copper and Brass, Inc., and are mounted at grade level behind the building. Solar heated water for use in heating service water is stored in a 5000 gallon hot water storage tank. The heaviest use of hot water occurs during the day so the requirement for thermal storage is modest. The construction costs of this solar project aremore » presented. Category costs are listed by materials, direct labor, ad subcontract costs. The subcontract costs include both materials, labor, overhead and profit for electrical, control and other minor subcontractors. The installed cost of the system was $312,825 not including prime contractor overhead and profit and general and administrative costs. (MHR)« less

  10. Research 0n Incentive Mechanism of General Contractor and Subcontractors Dynamic Alliance in Construction Project Based on Team Cooperation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yin, Honglian; Sun, Aihua; Liu, Quanru; Chen, Zhiyi

    2018-03-01

    It is the key of motivating sub-contractors working hard and mutual cooperation, ensuring implementation overall goal of the project that to design rational incentive mechanism for general contractor. Based on the principal-agency theory, the subcontractor efforts is divided into two parts, one for individual efforts, another helping other subcontractors, team Cooperation incentive models of multiple subcontractors are set up, incentive schemes and intensities are also given. The results show that the general contractor may provide individual and team motivation incentives when subcontractors working independently, not affecting each other in time and space; otherwise, the general contractor may only provide individual incentive to entice teams collaboration between subcontractors and helping each other. The conclusions can provide a reference for the subcontract design of general and sub-contractor dynamic alliances.

  11. Environment, Health, and Safety - Construction Subcontractors Documents |

    Science.gov Websites

    NREL Environment, Health, and Safety - Construction Subcontractors Documents Environment , Health, and Safety - Construction Subcontractors Documents The purpose of this page is to ensure NREL Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) requirements are understood by construction subcontractors and

  12. 48 CFR 49.108-1 - Subcontractor's rights.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Subcontractor's rights. 49.108-1 Section 49.108-1 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION CONTRACT MANAGEMENT TERMINATION OF CONTRACTS General Principles 49.108-1 Subcontractor's rights. A subcontractor has...

  13. 77 FR 63298 - Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-10-16

    ... Business Subcontractors AGENCY: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense (DoD). ACTION..., Providing Prompt Payment to Small Business Subcontractors (July 11, 2012), DoD has taken steps to accelerate... business subcontractors. DATES: Effective through July 10, 2013, unless otherwise rescinded or extended...

  14. 76 FR 23357 - Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination Obligations of Contractors and Subcontractors Regarding...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-04-26

    ... Contractors and Subcontractors Regarding Protected Veterans; Proposed Rule #0;#0;Federal Register / Vol. 76... Nondiscrimination Obligations of Contractors and Subcontractors Regarding Protected Veterans AGENCY: Office of..., which requires covered Federal contractors and subcontractors to take affirmative action in employment...

  15. 25 CFR 900.189 - Does this coverage extend to subcontractors of self-determination contracts?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Does this coverage extend to subcontractors of self-determination contracts? 900.189 Section 900.189 Indians BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR... this coverage extend to subcontractors of self-determination contracts? No. Subcontractors or...

  16. Optimal pricing and replenishment policies for instantaneous deteriorating items with backlogging and trade credit under inflation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sundara Rajan, R.; Uthayakumar, R.

    2017-12-01

    In this paper we develop an economic order quantity model to investigate the optimal replenishment policies for instantaneous deteriorating items under inflation and trade credit. Demand rate is a linear function of selling price and decreases negative exponentially with time over a finite planning horizon. Shortages are allowed and partially backlogged. Under these conditions, we model the retailer's inventory system as a profit maximization problem to determine the optimal selling price, optimal order quantity and optimal replenishment time. An easy-to-use algorithm is developed to determine the optimal replenishment policies for the retailer. We also provide optimal present value of profit when shortages are completely backlogged as a special case. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the algorithm provided to obtain optimal profit. And we also obtain managerial implications from numerical examples to substantiate our model. The results show that there is an improvement in total profit from complete backlogging rather than the items being partially backlogged.

  17. 48 CFR 252.232-7005 - Reimbursement of subcontractor advance payments-DoD pilot mentor-protege program.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... subcontractor advance payments-DoD pilot mentor-protege program. 252.232-7005 Section 252.232-7005 Federal... subcontractor advance payments—DoD pilot mentor-protege program. As prescribed in 232.412-70(c), use the following clause: Reimbursement of Subcontractor Advance Payments—DoD Pilot Mentor-Protege Program (SEP 2001...

  18. 10 CFR 719.37 - Are there any special procedures or requirements regarding subcontractor legal costs?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... requirements regarding subcontractor legal costs? (a) The contractor must have a monitoring system for subcontractor legal matters likely to reach $100,000 over the life of the matter. The purpose of this system is... subcontractor legal costs? 719.37 Section 719.37 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CONTRACTOR LEGAL MANAGEMENT...

  19. 25 CFR 1000.278 - Does this coverage extend to subcontractors of self-governance AFAs?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Does this coverage extend to subcontractors of self-governance AFAs? 1000.278 Section 1000.278 Indians OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY, INDIAN AFFAIRS... subcontractors of self-governance AFAs? No, subcontractors or subgrantees providing services to a Pub. L. 93-638...

  20. Ultimate open pit stochastic optimization

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Marcotte, Denis; Caron, Josiane

    2013-02-01

    Classical open pit optimization (maximum closure problem) is made on block estimates, without directly considering the block grades uncertainty. We propose an alternative approach of stochastic optimization. The stochastic optimization is taken as the optimal pit computed on the block expected profits, rather than expected grades, computed from a series of conditional simulations. The stochastic optimization generates, by construction, larger ore and waste tonnages than the classical optimization. Contrary to the classical approach, the stochastic optimization is conditionally unbiased for the realized profit given the predicted profit. A series of simulated deposits with different variograms are used to compare the stochastic approach, the classical approach and the simulated approach that maximizes expected profit among simulated designs. Profits obtained with the stochastic optimization are generally larger than the classical or simulated pit. The main factor controlling the relative gain of stochastic optimization compared to classical approach and simulated pit is shown to be the information level as measured by the boreholes spacing/range ratio. The relative gains of the stochastic approach over the classical approach increase with the treatment costs but decrease with mining costs. The relative gains of the stochastic approach over the simulated pit approach increase both with the treatment and mining costs. At early stages of an open pit project, when uncertainty is large, the stochastic optimization approach appears preferable to the classical approach or the simulated pit approach for fair comparison of the values of alternative projects and for the initial design and planning of the open pit.

  1. Pricing strategy in a dual-channel and remanufacturing supply chain system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jiang, Chengzhi; Xu, Feng; Sheng, Zhaohan

    2010-07-01

    This article addresses the pricing strategy problems in a supply chain system where the manufacturer sells original products and remanufactured products via indirect retailer channels and direct Internet channels. Due to the complexity of that system, agent technologies that provide a new way for analysing complex systems are used for modelling. Meanwhile, in order to reduce the computational load of searching procedure for optimal prices and profits, a learning search algorithm is designed and implemented within the multi-agent supply chain model. The simulation results show that the proposed model can find out optimal prices of original products and remanufactured products in both channels, which lead to optimal profits of the manufacturer and the retailer. It is also found that the optimal profits are increased by introducing direct channel and remanufacturing. Furthermore, the effect of customer preference, direct channel cost and remanufactured unit cost on optimal prices and profits are examined.

  2. Considering Subcontractors in Distributed Scrum Teams

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rudzki, Jakub; Hammouda, Imed; Mikkola, Tuomas; Mustonen, Karri; Systä, Tarja

    In this chapter we present our experiences with working with subcontractors in distributed Scrum teams. The context of our experiences is a medium size software service provider company. We present the way the subcontractors are selected and how Scrum practices can be used in real-life projects. We discuss team arrangements and tools used in distributed development teams highlighting aspects that are important when working with subcontractors. We also present an illustrative example where different phases of a project working with subcontractors are described. The example also provides practical tips on work in such projects. Finally, we present a summary of our data that was collected from Scrum and non-Scrum projects implemented over a few years. This chapter should provide a practical point of view on working with subcontractors in Scrum teams for those who are considering such cooperation.

  3. Outsourcing and scheduling for a two-machine flow shop with release times

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ahmadizar, Fardin; Amiri, Zeinab

    2018-03-01

    This article addresses a two-machine flow shop scheduling problem where jobs are released intermittently and outsourcing is allowed. The first operations of outsourced jobs are processed by the first subcontractor, they are transported in batches to the second subcontractor for processing their second operations, and finally they are transported back to the manufacturer. The objective is to select a subset of jobs to be outsourced, to schedule both the in-house and the outsourced jobs, and to determine a transportation plan for the outsourced jobs so as to minimize the sum of the makespan and the outsourcing and transportation costs. Two mathematical models of the problem and several necessary optimality conditions are presented. A solution approach is then proposed by incorporating the dominance properties with an ant colony algorithm. Finally, computational experiments are conducted to evaluate the performance of the models and solution approach.

  4. 29 CFR 4.1a - Definitions and use of terms.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ..., child, parent, or other close relative of the contractor or subcontractor; a partner or officer of the contractor or subcontractor; a corporation closely connected with a contractor or subcontractor as a parent...

  5. 29 CFR 4.1a - Definitions and use of terms.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ..., child, parent, or other close relative of the contractor or subcontractor; a partner or officer of the contractor or subcontractor; a corporation closely connected with a contractor or subcontractor as a parent...

  6. 29 CFR 4.1a - Definitions and use of terms.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ..., child, parent, or other close relative of the contractor or subcontractor; a partner or officer of the contractor or subcontractor; a corporation closely connected with a contractor or subcontractor as a parent...

  7. 29 CFR 4.1a - Definitions and use of terms.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ..., child, parent, or other close relative of the contractor or subcontractor; a partner or officer of the contractor or subcontractor; a corporation closely connected with a contractor or subcontractor as a parent...

  8. 48 CFR 32.009 - Providing accelerated payments to small business subcontractors.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Providing accelerated payments to small business subcontractors. 32.009 Section 32.009 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... accelerated payments to small business subcontractors. ...

  9. Beyond reliability to profitability

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bond, T.H.; Mitchell, J.S.

    1996-07-01

    Reliability concerns have controlled much of power generation design and operations. Emerging from a strictly regulated environment, profitability is becoming a much more important concept for today`s power generation executives. This paper discusses the conceptual advance-view power plant maintenance as a profit center, go beyond reliability, and embrace profitability. Profit Centered Maintenance begins with the premise that financial considerations, namely profitability, drive most aspects of modern process and manufacturing operations. Profit Centered Maintenance is a continuous process of reliability and administrative improvement and optimization. For the power generation executives with troublesome maintenance programs, Profit Centered Maintenance can be the blueprintmore » to increased profitability. It requires the culture change to make decisions based on value, to reengineer the administration of maintenance, and to enable the people performing and administering maintenance to make the most of available maintenance information technology. The key steps are to optimize the physical function of maintenance and to resolve recurring maintenance problems so that the need for maintenance can be reduced. Profit Centered Maintenance is more than just an attitude it is a path to profitability, be it resulting in increased profits or increased market share.« less

  10. 48 CFR 3.502-2 - Subcontractor kickbacks.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Subcontractor kickbacks. 3.502-2 Section 3.502-2 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL...., company ethics rules prohibiting kickbacks by employees, agents, or subcontractors; education programs for...

  11. 10 CFR 719.37 - Are there any special procedures or requirements regarding subcontractor legal costs?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... subcontractor legal matters likely to reach $100,000 over the life of the matter. The purpose of this system is to enable the contractor to perform the same type of analysis and review of subcontractor legal...

  12. Strategic wholesale pricing for an incumbent supplier facing with a competitive counterpart.

    PubMed

    Sun, Jianwu

    2014-01-01

    We introduce a wholesale pricing strategy for an incumbent supplier facing with a competitive counterpart. We propose a profit function which considers both the present loss and future loss from a wholesale price and then study the optimal wholesale prices for different objectives about this profit function for the incumbent supplier. First, we achieve an optimal wholesale price for the incumbent supplier to maximize his expected profit. Then, to reduce the risk originating from the fluctuation in the competitive supplier's wholesale price, we integrate the conditional value-at-risk (CVaR) measure in financial risk management into this study and derive an optimal wholesale price to maximize CVaR about profit for the incumbent supplier. Besides, the properties of the two optimal wholesale prices are discussed. Finally, some management insights are suggested for the incumbent supplier in a competitive setting.

  13. Strategic Wholesale Pricing for an Incumbent Supplier Facing with a Competitive Counterpart

    PubMed Central

    Sun, Jianwu

    2014-01-01

    We introduce a wholesale pricing strategy for an incumbent supplier facing with a competitive counterpart. We propose a profit function which considers both the present loss and future loss from a wholesale price and then study the optimal wholesale prices for different objectives about this profit function for the incumbent supplier. First, we achieve an optimal wholesale price for the incumbent supplier to maximize his expected profit. Then, to reduce the risk originating from the fluctuation in the competitive supplier's wholesale price, we integrate the conditional value-at-risk (CVaR) measure in financial risk management into this study and derive an optimal wholesale price to maximize CVaR about profit for the incumbent supplier. Besides, the properties of the two optimal wholesale prices are discussed. Finally, some management insights are suggested for the incumbent supplier in a competitive setting. PMID:25614891

  14. Pricing Resources in LTE Networks through Multiobjective Optimization

    PubMed Central

    Lai, Yung-Liang; Jiang, Jehn-Ruey

    2014-01-01

    The LTE technology offers versatile mobile services that use different numbers of resources. This enables operators to provide subscribers or users with differential quality of service (QoS) to boost their satisfaction. On one hand, LTE operators need to price the resources high for maximizing their profits. On the other hand, pricing also needs to consider user satisfaction with allocated resources and prices to avoid “user churn,” which means subscribers will unsubscribe services due to dissatisfaction with allocated resources or prices. In this paper, we study the pricing resources with profits and satisfaction optimization (PRPSO) problem in the LTE networks, considering the operator profit and subscribers' satisfaction at the same time. The problem is modelled as nonlinear multiobjective optimization with two optimal objectives: (1) maximizing operator profit and (2) maximizing user satisfaction. We propose to solve the problem based on the framework of the NSGA-II. Simulations are conducted for evaluating the proposed solution. PMID:24526889

  15. Pricing resources in LTE networks through multiobjective optimization.

    PubMed

    Lai, Yung-Liang; Jiang, Jehn-Ruey

    2014-01-01

    The LTE technology offers versatile mobile services that use different numbers of resources. This enables operators to provide subscribers or users with differential quality of service (QoS) to boost their satisfaction. On one hand, LTE operators need to price the resources high for maximizing their profits. On the other hand, pricing also needs to consider user satisfaction with allocated resources and prices to avoid "user churn," which means subscribers will unsubscribe services due to dissatisfaction with allocated resources or prices. In this paper, we study the pricing resources with profits and satisfaction optimization (PRPSO) problem in the LTE networks, considering the operator profit and subscribers' satisfaction at the same time. The problem is modelled as nonlinear multiobjective optimization with two optimal objectives: (1) maximizing operator profit and (2) maximizing user satisfaction. We propose to solve the problem based on the framework of the NSGA-II. Simulations are conducted for evaluating the proposed solution.

  16. 48 CFR 15.404-3 - Subcontract pricing considerations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION Contract Pricing 15.404-3 Subcontract..., including subcontractor's certified cost or pricing data. (b) The prime contractor or subcontractor shall... paragraph (c) of this subsection, submit subcontractor certified cost or pricing data to the Government as...

  17. 48 CFR 15.404-3 - Subcontract pricing considerations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION Contract Pricing 15.404-3 Subcontract..., including subcontractor's certified cost or pricing data. (b) The prime contractor or subcontractor shall... paragraph (c) of this subsection, submit subcontractor certified cost or pricing data to the Government as...

  18. 48 CFR 15.404-3 - Subcontract pricing considerations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION Contract Pricing 15.404-3 Subcontract..., including subcontractor's certified cost or pricing data. (b) The prime contractor or subcontractor shall... paragraph (c) of this subsection, submit subcontractor certified cost or pricing data to the Government as...

  19. Selecting a sterilisation subcontractor.

    PubMed

    Donawa, M

    2001-03-01

    Medical device manufacturers who need contract sterilisation services sometimes lack extensive knowledge of the technical aspects of sterilisation processes. For this reason, they may have problems assessing quality requirements for subcontractor sterilisation services. This article discusses important quality issues that should be considered when selecting a sterilisation subcontractor.

  20. 48 CFR 9903.202-8 - Subcontractor Disclosure Statements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... Statements. 9903.202-8 Section 9903.202-8 Federal Acquisition Regulations System COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS... COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS CONTRACT COVERAGE CAS Program Requirements 9903.202-8 Subcontractor.... Instead, the ACO cognizant of the subcontractor shall (i) Notify the auditor that the adequacy review will...

  1. Marine protected areas and the value of spatially optimized fishery management

    PubMed Central

    Rassweiler, Andrew; Costello, Christopher; Siegel, David A.

    2012-01-01

    There is a growing focus around the world on marine spatial planning, including spatial fisheries management. Some spatial management approaches are quite blunt, as when marine protected areas (MPAs) are established to restrict fishing in specific locations. Other management tools, such as zoning or spatial user rights, will affect the distribution of fishing effort in a more nuanced manner. Considerable research has focused on the ability of MPAs to increase fishery returns, but the potential for the broader class of spatial management approaches to outperform MPAs has received far less attention. We use bioeconomic models of seven nearshore fisheries in Southern California to explore the value of optimized spatial management in which the distribution of fishing is chosen to maximize profits. We show that fully optimized spatial management can substantially increase fishery profits relative to optimal nonspatial management but that the magnitude of this increase depends on characteristics of the fishing fleet and target species. Strategically placed MPAs can also increase profits substantially compared with nonspatial management, particularly if fishing costs are low, although profit increases available through optimal MPA-based management are roughly half those from fully optimized spatial management. However, if the same total area is protected by randomly placing MPAs, starkly contrasting results emerge: most random MPA designs reduce expected profits. The high value of spatial management estimated here supports continued interest in spatially explicit fisheries regulations but emphasizes that predicted increases in profits can only be achieved if the fishery is well understood and the regulations are strategically designed. PMID:22753469

  2. Marine protected areas and the value of spatially optimized fishery management.

    PubMed

    Rassweiler, Andrew; Costello, Christopher; Siegel, David A

    2012-07-17

    There is a growing focus around the world on marine spatial planning, including spatial fisheries management. Some spatial management approaches are quite blunt, as when marine protected areas (MPAs) are established to restrict fishing in specific locations. Other management tools, such as zoning or spatial user rights, will affect the distribution of fishing effort in a more nuanced manner. Considerable research has focused on the ability of MPAs to increase fishery returns, but the potential for the broader class of spatial management approaches to outperform MPAs has received far less attention. We use bioeconomic models of seven nearshore fisheries in Southern California to explore the value of optimized spatial management in which the distribution of fishing is chosen to maximize profits. We show that fully optimized spatial management can substantially increase fishery profits relative to optimal nonspatial management but that the magnitude of this increase depends on characteristics of the fishing fleet and target species. Strategically placed MPAs can also increase profits substantially compared with nonspatial management, particularly if fishing costs are low, although profit increases available through optimal MPA-based management are roughly half those from fully optimized spatial management. However, if the same total area is protected by randomly placing MPAs, starkly contrasting results emerge: most random MPA designs reduce expected profits. The high value of spatial management estimated here supports continued interest in spatially explicit fisheries regulations but emphasizes that predicted increases in profits can only be achieved if the fishery is well understood and the regulations are strategically designed.

  3. 78 FR 12745 - Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-02-25

    ... Business Subcontractors AGENCY: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense (DoD). ACTION... Prompt Payment to Small Business Subcontractors (July 11, 2012). DoD has now discontinued the temporary... assist small business prime contractors by paying them as quickly as possible after receipt of an invoice...

  4. 48 CFR 430.202-8 - Subcontractor Disclosure Statements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Subcontractor Disclosure Statements. 430.202-8 Section 430.202-8 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE... authorized to determine that the Disclosure Statement for a subcontractor is impractical to secure and to...

  5. 48 CFR 430.202-8 - Subcontractor Disclosure Statements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Subcontractor Disclosure Statements. 430.202-8 Section 430.202-8 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE... authorized to determine that the Disclosure Statement for a subcontractor is impractical to secure and to...

  6. 48 CFR 430.202-8 - Subcontractor Disclosure Statements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Subcontractor Disclosure Statements. 430.202-8 Section 430.202-8 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE... authorized to determine that the Disclosure Statement for a subcontractor is impractical to secure and to...

  7. 48 CFR 430.202-8 - Subcontractor Disclosure Statements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Subcontractor Disclosure Statements. 430.202-8 Section 430.202-8 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE... authorized to determine that the Disclosure Statement for a subcontractor is impractical to secure and to...

  8. 48 CFR 32.110 - Payment of subcontractors under cost-reimbursement prime contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... under cost-reimbursement prime contracts. 32.110 Section 32.110 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... Purchase Financing 32.110 Payment of subcontractors under cost-reimbursement prime contracts. If the contractor makes financing payments to a subcontractor under a cost-reimbursement prime contract, the...

  9. 75 FR 43162 - Tetrahedron, Inc., with Subcontractors: Syracuse Research Corporation; Tox Path, Inc; and...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-07-23

    ... Subcontractors: Syracuse Research Corporation; Tox Path, Inc; and Pathology Associates; Transfer of Data AGENCY... information that may have been claimed as confidential business information (CBI) by the submitter, will be transferred to Tetrahedron, Inc., and its subcontractors: Syracuse Research Corporation, Tox Path, Inc., and...

  10. 48 CFR 52.215-13 - Subcontractor Certified Cost or Pricing Data-Modifications.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... Cost or Pricing Data-Modifications. 52.215-13 Section 52.215-13 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... Text of Provisions and Clauses 52.215-13 Subcontractor Certified Cost or Pricing Data—Modifications. As prescribed in 15.408(e), insert the following clause: Subcontractor Certified Cost or Pricing Data...

  11. 48 CFR 227.7103-15 - Subcontractor rights in technical data.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... clauses at 252.227-7013, Rights in Technical Data—Noncommercial Items, and 252.227-7037, Validation of... subcontractor to transact directly with the Government matters relating to the validation of its asserted... contractor's agreement that the direct transaction of validation or challenge matters with subcontractors at...

  12. 48 CFR 52.244-4 - Subcontractors and outside associates and consultants (Architect-engineer services).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... associates and consultants (Architect-engineer services). 52.244-4 Section 52.244-4 Federal Acquisition... consultants (Architect-engineer services). As prescribed in 44.204(b), insert the following clause: Subcontractors and Outside Associates and Consultants (Architect-Engineer Services) (AUG 1998) Any subcontractors...

  13. 48 CFR 52.244-4 - Subcontractors and outside associates and consultants (Architect-engineer services).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... associates and consultants (Architect-engineer services). 52.244-4 Section 52.244-4 Federal Acquisition... consultants (Architect-engineer services). As prescribed in 44.204(b), insert the following clause: Subcontractors and Outside Associates and Consultants (Architect-Engineer Services) (AUG 1998) Any subcontractors...

  14. 48 CFR 52.244-4 - Subcontractors and outside associates and consultants (Architect-engineer services).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... associates and consultants (Architect-engineer services). 52.244-4 Section 52.244-4 Federal Acquisition... consultants (Architect-engineer services). As prescribed in 44.204(b), insert the following clause: Subcontractors and Outside Associates and Consultants (Architect-Engineer Services) (AUG 1998) Any subcontractors...

  15. 48 CFR 52.244-4 - Subcontractors and outside associates and consultants (Architect-engineer services).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... associates and consultants (Architect-engineer services). 52.244-4 Section 52.244-4 Federal Acquisition... consultants (Architect-engineer services). As prescribed in 44.204(b), insert the following clause: Subcontractors and Outside Associates and Consultants (Architect-Engineer Services) (AUG 1998) Any subcontractors...

  16. 76 FR 36482 - Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination Obligations of Contractors and Subcontractors Regarding...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-06-22

    ... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs 41 CFR Parts 60-250 and 60-300 RIN 1250-AA00 Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination Obligations of Contractors and Subcontractors... Nondiscrimination Obligations of Contractors and Subcontractors Regarding Protected Veterans'' (76 FR 23358). OFCCP...

  17. 48 CFR 227.7103-15 - Subcontractor rights in technical data.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... clauses at 252.227-7013, Rights in Technical Data—Noncommercial Items, and 252.227-7037, Validation of... subcontractor to transact directly with the Government matters relating to the validation of its asserted... contractor's agreement that the direct transaction of validation or challenge matters with subcontractors at...

  18. 48 CFR 227.7103-15 - Subcontractor rights in technical data.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... clauses at 252.227-7013, Rights in Technical Data—Noncommercial Items, and 252.227-7037, Validation of... subcontractor to transact directly with the Government matters relating to the validation of its asserted... contractor's agreement that the direct transaction of validation or challenge matters with subcontractors at...

  19. 48 CFR 227.7103-15 - Subcontractor rights in technical data.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... clauses at 252.227-7013, Rights in Technical Data—Noncommercial Items, and 252.227-7037, Validation of... subcontractor to transact directly with the Government matters relating to the validation of its asserted... contractor's agreement that the direct transaction of validation or challenge matters with subcontractors at...

  20. 48 CFR 227.7103-15 - Subcontractor rights in technical data.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... clauses at 252.227-7013, Rights in Technical Data—Noncommercial Items, and 252.227-7037, Validation of... subcontractor to transact directly with the Government matters relating to the validation of its asserted... contractor's agreement that the direct transaction of validation or challenge matters with subcontractors at...

  1. 48 CFR 52.232-40 - Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... Payments to Small Business Subcontractors. 52.232-40 Section 52.232-40 Federal Acquisition Regulations... CLAUSES Text of Provisions and Clauses 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business... Contractor shall make accelerated payments to its small business subcontractors under this contract, to the...

  2. 48 CFR 52.215-12 - Subcontractor Certified Cost or Pricing Data.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... Cost or Pricing Data. 52.215-12 Section 52.215-12 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL... Provisions and Clauses 52.215-12 Subcontractor Certified Cost or Pricing Data. As prescribed in 15.408(d), insert the following clause: Subcontractor Certified Cost or Pricing Data (OCT 2010) (a) Before awarding...

  3. Small is profitable: No support for the optimal foraging theory in sea stars Asterias rubens foraging on the blue edible mussel Mytilus edulis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hummel, Christiaan; Honkoop, Pieter; van der Meer, Jaap

    2011-07-01

    Doubt has been shed recently on the most popular optimal foraging theory stating that predators should maximize prey profitability, i.e., select that prey item that contains the highest energy content per handling time. We hypothesized that sea stars do not forage on blue mussels according to the classical optimal foraging theory but are actively avoiding damage that may be caused by e.g. capture of foraging on too-strong mussel shells, hence the sea stars will have a stronger preference for mussels that are smaller than the most profitable ones. Here we present experimental evidence of the sea star Asterias rubens as a predator that indeed chooses much smaller blue mussels Mytilus edulis to forage on than the most profitable ones. Hence this study does not support the optimal foraging theory. There may be other constraints involved in foraging than just optimizing energy intake, for example predators may also be concerned with preventing potential loss or damage of their foraging instruments.

  4. Optimal policy for profit maximising in an EOQ model under non-linear holding cost and stock-dependent demand rate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pando, V.; García-Laguna, J.; San-José, L. A.

    2012-11-01

    In this article, we integrate a non-linear holding cost with a stock-dependent demand rate in a maximising profit per unit time model, extending several inventory models studied by other authors. After giving the mathematical formulation of the inventory system, we prove the existence and uniqueness of the optimal policy. Relying on this result, we can obtain the optimal solution using different numerical algorithms. Moreover, we provide a necessary and sufficient condition to determine whether a system is profitable, and we establish a rule to check when a given order quantity is the optimal lot size of the inventory model. The results are illustrated through numerical examples and the sensitivity of the optimal solution with respect to changes in some values of the parameters is assessed.

  5. Fractal profit landscape of the stock market.

    PubMed

    Grönlund, Andreas; Yi, Il Gu; Kim, Beom Jun

    2012-01-01

    We investigate the structure of the profit landscape obtained from the most basic, fluctuation based, trading strategy applied for the daily stock price data. The strategy is parameterized by only two variables, p and q Stocks are sold and bought if the log return is bigger than p and less than -q, respectively. Repetition of this simple strategy for a long time gives the profit defined in the underlying two-dimensional parameter space of p and q. It is revealed that the local maxima in the profit landscape are spread in the form of a fractal structure. The fractal structure implies that successful strategies are not localized to any region of the profit landscape and are neither spaced evenly throughout the profit landscape, which makes the optimization notoriously hard and hypersensitive for partial or limited information. The concrete implication of this property is demonstrated by showing that optimization of one stock for future values or other stocks renders worse profit than a strategy that ignores fluctuations, i.e., a long-term buy-and-hold strategy.

  6. 78 FR 16500 - Rolling Bay, LLC and Indus; Transfer of Data

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-03-15

    ... contract to perform work for OPP, and access to this information will enable Rolling Bay, LLC and its subcontractor, Indus, to fulfill the obligations of the contract. DATES: Rolling Bay, LLC and its subcontractor... Under Contract No. GS-35F-0072Y, Rolling Bay, LLC and its subcontractor, Indus, will: Capture data that...

  7. The Impact of Globalisation on SME-Subcontractors' Supply Chain Strategies: A Danish Case Study

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gammelgaard, Britta; Mathiasen, John Bang

    2007-01-01

    Globalisation and competition have impacted on not only large firms but also Small and Medium sizes Enterprises (SME) and these enterprises often act as subcontractors to larger firms operating in international markets. The impact of globalisation is severe on the SME-subcontractors due to supply chain linkages between large and SMEs through…

  8. For Profit Organizations Showing Signs of Turnaround: Twenty-Fourth Annual Status Report on for Profit Child Care

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Neugebauer, Roger; Hartzell, Debra

    2011-01-01

    The year 2010 will not be remembered as a banner year for large for profit child care organizations. But it appears that heading into 2011, optimism has returned. This article presents the twenty-fourth annual status report on for profit child care organizations. In 2010, the total capacity of the three largest for profit chains in North America,…

  9. Market penetration of energy supply technologies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Condap, R. J.

    1980-03-01

    Techniques to incorporate the concepts of profit-induced growth and risk aversion into policy-oriented optimization models of the domestic energy sector are examined. After reviewing the pertinent market penetration literature, simple mathematical programs in which the introduction of new energy technologies is constrained primarily by the reinvestment of profits are formulated. The main results involve the convergence behavior of technology production levels under various assumptions about the form of the energy demand function. Next, profitability growth constraints are embedded in a full-scale model of U.S. energy-economy interactions. A rapidly convergent algorithm is developed to utilize optimal shadow prices in the computation of profitability for individual technologies. Allowance is made for additional policy variables such as government funding and taxation. The result is an optimal deployment schedule for current and future energy technologies which is consistent with the sector's ability to finance capacity expansion.

  10. Open pit mining profit maximization considering selling stage and waste rehabilitation cost

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Muttaqin, B. I. A.; Rosyidi, C. N.

    2017-11-01

    In open pit mining activities, determination of the cut-off grade becomes crucial for the company since the cut-off grade affects how much profit will be earned for the mining company. In this study, we developed a cut-off grade determination mode for the open pit mining industry considering the cost of mining, waste removal (rehabilitation) cost, processing cost, fixed cost, and selling stage cost. The main goal of this study is to develop a model of cut-off grade determination to get the maximum total profit. Secondly, this study is also developed to observe the model of sensitivity based on changes in the cost components. The optimization results show that the models can help mining company managers to determine the optimal cut-off grade and also estimate how much profit that can be earned by the mining company. To illustrate the application of the models, a numerical example and a set of sensitivity analysis are presented. From the results of sensitivity analysis, we conclude that the changes in the sales price greatly affects the optimal cut-off value and the total profit.

  11. Group search optimiser-based optimal bidding strategies with no Karush-Kuhn-Tucker optimality conditions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yadav, Naresh Kumar; Kumar, Mukesh; Gupta, S. K.

    2017-03-01

    General strategic bidding procedure has been formulated in the literature as a bi-level searching problem, in which the offer curve tends to minimise the market clearing function and to maximise the profit. Computationally, this is complex and hence, the researchers have adopted Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) optimality conditions to transform the model into a single-level maximisation problem. However, the profit maximisation problem with KKT optimality conditions poses great challenge to the classical optimisation algorithms. The problem has become more complex after the inclusion of transmission constraints. This paper simplifies the profit maximisation problem as a minimisation function, in which the transmission constraints, the operating limits and the ISO market clearing functions are considered with no KKT optimality conditions. The derived function is solved using group search optimiser (GSO), a robust population-based optimisation algorithm. Experimental investigation is carried out on IEEE 14 as well as IEEE 30 bus systems and the performance is compared against differential evolution-based strategic bidding, genetic algorithm-based strategic bidding and particle swarm optimisation-based strategic bidding methods. The simulation results demonstrate that the obtained profit maximisation through GSO-based bidding strategies is higher than the other three methods.

  12. Decision and coordination of low-carbon supply chain considering technological spillover and environmental awareness.

    PubMed

    Xu, Lang; Wang, Chuanxu; Li, Hui

    2017-06-08

    We focus on the impacts of technological spillovers and environmental awareness in a two-echelon supply chain with one-single supplier and one-single manufacturer to reduce carbon emission. In this supply chain, carbon abatement investment becomes one of key factors of cutting costs and improving profits, which is reducing production costs in the components and products-the investment from players in supply chain. On the basis of optimality theory, the centralized and decentralized models are respectively established to investigate the optimal decisions and profits. Further, setting the players' profits of the decentralized scenario as the disagreement points, we propose a bargaining-coordination contract through revenue-cost sharing to enhance the performance. Finally, by theoretical comparison and numerical analysis, the results show that: (i) The optimal profits of players and supply chain improve as technological spillovers and environmental awareness increase, and the profits of them in the bargaining-coordination contract are higher than that in the decentralized scenario; (ii) Technological spillovers between the players amplify the impact of "free-ride" behavior, in which the supplier always incentives the manufacturer to improve carbon emission intensity, but the cooperation will achieves and the profits will improve only when technological spillovers and environmental awareness are great; (iii) The contract can effectively achieve coordinated supply chain, and improve carbon abatement investment.

  13. Fractal Profit Landscape of the Stock Market

    PubMed Central

    Grönlund, Andreas; Yi, Il Gu; Kim, Beom Jun

    2012-01-01

    We investigate the structure of the profit landscape obtained from the most basic, fluctuation based, trading strategy applied for the daily stock price data. The strategy is parameterized by only two variables, p and q Stocks are sold and bought if the log return is bigger than p and less than –q, respectively. Repetition of this simple strategy for a long time gives the profit defined in the underlying two-dimensional parameter space of p and q. It is revealed that the local maxima in the profit landscape are spread in the form of a fractal structure. The fractal structure implies that successful strategies are not localized to any region of the profit landscape and are neither spaced evenly throughout the profit landscape, which makes the optimization notoriously hard and hypersensitive for partial or limited information. The concrete implication of this property is demonstrated by showing that optimization of one stock for future values or other stocks renders worse profit than a strategy that ignores fluctuations, i.e., a long-term buy-and-hold strategy. PMID:22558079

  14. Final Technical Report for subcontract number B612144

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Mayali, X.; Marcu, O.

    The original statement of work stipulated that the Subcontractor shall perform bacterial and algal cultivation and manipulation, microbe isolation, preparation of samples for sequencing and isotopic analysis, data analysis, and manuscript preparation. The Subcontractor shall work closely with Dr. Mayali and other LLNL scientists, and shall participate in monthly SFA meetings (either in person or by telephone). The Subcontractor shall deliver a final report at the conclusion of the work.

  15. Subcontractors and increased risk for work-related diseases and absenteeism.

    PubMed

    Min, Kyoung B; Park, Shin G; Song, Jae S; Yi, Kwan H; Jang, Tae W; Min, Jin Y

    2013-11-01

    Despite increasing reliance on subcontracting in many economic sectors, there is little information available on occupational health and safety issues among subcontractor employees. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of subcontracting on self-reported health problems and absences due to occupational accidents and sickness using a nationally representative sample from South Korea. The data used were sampled from the second wave of the Korean Working Conditions Survey [2010]. Information on 3,282 parent firm employees and 728 subcontractor employees was obtained. For the logistic regression model, the outcomes were work-related health problems and absenteeism. The independent variables were personal and occupational characteristics, job aspects, and working hazards. Subcontractor employees were significantly more likely to experience health problems than the employee at parent firms. In particular, subcontractors' risk of injuries and anxiety/depression increased twofold (odd ratios, OR=2.01, 95% confidence interval, CIs, 1.24-3.26) and threefold (OR=2.95, 95% CIs 1.52-5.73), respectively, after controlling for potential variables. In addition, subcontractor employees were three times more likely than employees at parent firms to miss work due to illness (OR=3.56; 95% CIs 2.02-6.26). Working conditions, especially those related to job aspects and workplace exposures, attenuated these risks. Subcontracting workers were found to have a higher risk of work-related diseases and a higher absenteeism rate than parent firm workers. Our study highlights the need to protect and improve the occupational health and safety of subcontractor employees. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  16. A comparison of alternative medicare reimbursement policies under optimal hospital pricing.

    PubMed Central

    Dittman, D A; Morey, R C

    1983-01-01

    This paper applies and extends the use of a nonlinear hospital pricing model, recently posited in the literature by Dittman and Morey [1]. That model applied a hospital profit-maximizing behavior and studied the effects of optimal pricing of hospital ancillary services on the incidence of payment by private insurance companies and the Medicare trust fund. Here, we examine variations of the above model where both hospital profit-maximizing and profit-satisficing postures are of interest. We apply the model to three types of Medicare reimbursement policies currently in use or under legislative mandate to implement. The policies differ according to hospital size and whether cross-subsidies are allowed. We are interested in determining the effects of profit-maximizing and -satisficing behaviors of these three reimbursement policies on the levels of profits received, and on the respective implications for private payors and the Medicare trust fund. PMID:6347973

  17. The selection of construction sub-contractors using the fuzzy sets theory

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Krzemiński, Michał

    The paper presents the algorithm for the selection of sub-contractors. Main area of author’s interest is scheduling flow models. The ranking task aims at execution time as short as possible Brigades downtime should also be as small as possible. These targets are exposed to significant obsolescence. The criteria for selection of subcontractors will not be therefore time and cost, it is assumed that all those criteria be meet by sub-contractors. The decision should be made in regard to factors difficult to measure, to assess which is the perfect application of fuzzy sets theory. The paper will present a set ofmore » evaluation criteria, the part of the knowledge base and a description of the output variable.« less

  18. 48 CFR 3.502-2 - Subcontractor kickbacks.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... the consequences of detection; procurement procedures to minimize the opportunity for kickbacks; audit... gifts or gratuities received from subcontractors; annual employee declarations that they have violated...

  19. A Bayesian approach for incorporating economic factors in sample size design for clinical trials of individual drugs and portfolios of drugs.

    PubMed

    Patel, Nitin R; Ankolekar, Suresh

    2007-11-30

    Classical approaches to clinical trial design ignore economic factors that determine economic viability of a new drug. We address the choice of sample size in Phase III trials as a decision theory problem using a hybrid approach that takes a Bayesian view from the perspective of a drug company and a classical Neyman-Pearson view from the perspective of regulatory authorities. We incorporate relevant economic factors in the analysis to determine the optimal sample size to maximize the expected profit for the company. We extend the analysis to account for risk by using a 'satisficing' objective function that maximizes the chance of meeting a management-specified target level of profit. We extend the models for single drugs to a portfolio of clinical trials and optimize the sample sizes to maximize the expected profit subject to budget constraints. Further, we address the portfolio risk and optimize the sample sizes to maximize the probability of achieving a given target of expected profit.

  20. Current Practices to Decrease Subcontractor Bid Shopping in the Public Sector

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1993-01-01

    rarely done because most contractors refuse to accept such a condition (6s15). Those public agencies adhering to the doctrine of promissory estoppel ...also encourage bid shopping. The doctrine of promissory estoppel dictates that a subcontractor must stand by his bid quote if it is used by the prime...Holman was not awarded the subcontract. (3) It is unfair to bind the subcontractor under promissory estoppel without binding the general contractor. (4

  1. Design for life-cycle profit with simultaneous consideration of initial manufacturing and end-of-life remanufacturing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kwak, Minjung; Kim, Harrison

    2015-01-01

    Remanufacturing is emerging as a promising solution for achieving green, profitable businesses. This article considers a manufacturer that produces new products and also remanufactured versions of the new products that become available at the end of their life cycle. For such a manufacturer, design decisions at the initial design stage determine both the current profit from manufacturing and future profit from remanufacturing. To maximize the total profit, design decisions must carefully consider both ends of product life cycle, i.e. manufacturing and end-of-life stages. This article proposes a decision-support model for the life-cycle design using mixed-integer nonlinear programming. With an aim to maximize the total life-cycle profit, the proposed model searches for an (at least locally) optimal product design (i.e. design specifications and the selling price) for the new and remanufactured products. It optimizes both the initial design and design upgrades at the end-of-life stage and also provides corresponding production strategies, including production quantities and take-back rate. The model is extended to a multi-objective model that maximizes both economic profit and environmental-impact saving. To illustrate, the developed model is demonstrated with an example of a desktop computer.

  2. Technology Modernization for DoD Subcontractors: A Study of Market, Business, Financial, and Capital Investment Factors.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1983-09-01

    contractors requiring the product( s ) offered by the respondent first-tier subcontractor. 3. Knowledge of competition (ordinal)--the amount of market ...Question Interview Schedule Number Factor Question Number( s ) market environment 1, 2, - 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 perceived market environment 6 DOD business 16, 17...ADA T432 ECHNOLO MODERNIZATION FOR DOD SUBCONTRACTORS: A I STUDY 0F MARKET BUSINE..U AIR FORCE INS OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERS AFB OH SCHOOLOD SS UNC ASS

  3. 29 CFR 3.2 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... spouse, child, parent, or other close relative of the contractor or subcontractor; a partner or officer... subcontractor as parent, subsidiary, or otherwise, and an officer or agent of such corporation. (g) The term...

  4. 29 CFR 3.2 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... spouse, child, parent, or other close relative of the contractor or subcontractor; a partner or officer... subcontractor as parent, subsidiary, or otherwise, and an officer or agent of such corporation. (g) The term...

  5. 29 CFR 3.2 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... spouse, child, parent, or other close relative of the contractor or subcontractor; a partner or officer... subcontractor as parent, subsidiary, or otherwise, and an officer or agent of such corporation. (g) The term...

  6. 29 CFR 3.2 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... spouse, child, parent, or other close relative of the contractor or subcontractor; a partner or officer... subcontractor as parent, subsidiary, or otherwise, and an officer or agent of such corporation. (g) The term...

  7. 29 CFR 3.2 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... spouse, child, parent, or other close relative of the contractor or subcontractor; a partner or officer... subcontractor as parent, subsidiary, or otherwise, and an officer or agent of such corporation. (g) The term...

  8. 25 CFR 273.36 - Eligible subcontractors.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... ACT PROGRAM EDUCATION CONTRACTS UNDER JOHNSON-O'MALLEY ACT Funding Provisions § 273.36 Eligible subcontractors. No contract funds under the Johnson-O'Malley Act shall be made available by the Bureau directly...

  9. 25 CFR 273.36 - Eligible subcontractors.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... ACT PROGRAM EDUCATION CONTRACTS UNDER JOHNSON-O'MALLEY ACT Funding Provisions § 273.36 Eligible subcontractors. No contract funds under the Johnson-O'Malley Act shall be made available by the Bureau directly...

  10. 25 CFR 273.36 - Eligible subcontractors.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... ACT PROGRAM EDUCATION CONTRACTS UNDER JOHNSON-O'MALLEY ACT Funding Provisions § 273.36 Eligible subcontractors. No contract funds under the Johnson-O'Malley Act shall be made available by the Bureau directly...

  11. Capacity Adequacy and Revenue Sufficiency in Electricity Markets With Wind Power

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Levin, Todd; Botterud, Audun

    2015-05-01

    We present a computationally efficient mixed-integer program (MIP) that determines optimal generator expansion decisions, as well as periodic unit commitment and dispatch. The model is applied to analyze the impact of increasing wind power capacity on the optimal generation mix and the profitability of thermal generators. In a case study, we find that increasing wind penetration reduces energy prices while the prices for operating reserves increase. Moreover, scarcity pricing for operating reserves through reserve shortfall penalties significantly impacts the prices and profitability of thermal generators. Without scarcity pricing, no thermal units are profitable, however scarcity pricing can ensure profitability formore » peaking units at high wind penetration levels. Capacity payments can also ensure profitability, but the payments required for baseload units to break even increase with the amount of wind power. The results indicate that baseload units are most likely to experience revenue sufficiency problems when wind penetration increases and new baseload units are only developed when natural gas prices are high and wind penetration is low.« less

  12. 48 CFR 3003.502 - Subcontractor kickbacks.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    .... 3003.502 Section 3003.502 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, HOMELAND SECURITY ACQUISITION REGULATION (HSAR) GENERAL IMPROPER BUSINESS PRACTICES AND PERSONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Other Improper Business Practices 3003.502 Subcontractor kickbacks. ...

  13. Protecting Contract Workers: Case Study of the US Department of Energy’s Nuclear and Chemical Waste Management

    PubMed Central

    Gochfeld, Michael; Mohr, Sandra

    2007-01-01

    Increased reliance on subcontractors in all economic sectors is a serious occupational health and safety challenge. Short-term cost savings are offset by long-term liability. Hiring subcontractors brings specialized knowledge but also young, inexperienced, inadequately trained workers onto industrial and hazardous waste sites, which leads to increased rates of accidents and injuries. Reliable data on subcontractor occupational health and safety programs and performance are sparse. The US Department of Energy has an excellent safety culture on paper, but procurement practices and contract language deliver a mixed message—including some safety disincentives. Its biphasic safety outcome data are consistent with underreporting by some subcontractors and underachievement by others. These observations are relevant to the private and public sectors. Occupational health and safety should be viewed as an asset, not merely a cost. PMID:17666686

  14. Protecting contract workers: case study of the US Department of Energy's nuclear and chemical waste management.

    PubMed

    Gochfeld, Michael; Mohr, Sandra

    2007-09-01

    Increased reliance on subcontractors in all economic sectors is a serious occupational health and safety challenge. Short-term cost savings are offset by long-term liability. Hiring subcontractors brings specialized knowledge but also young, inexperienced, inadequately trained workers onto industrial and hazardous waste sites, which leads to increased rates of accidents and injuries. Reliable data on subcontractor occupational health and safety programs and performance are sparse. The US Department of Energy has an excellent safety culture on paper, but procurement practices and contract language deliver a mixed message--including some safety disincentives. Its biphasic safety outcome data are consistent with underreporting by some subcontractors and underachievement by others. These observations are relevant to the private and public sectors. Occupational health and safety should be viewed as an asset, not merely a cost.

  15. Multi-Objective Bidding Strategy for Genco Using Non-Dominated Sorting Particle Swarm Optimization

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saksinchai, Apinat; Boonchuay, Chanwit; Ongsakul, Weerakorn

    2010-06-01

    This paper proposes a multi-objective bidding strategy for a generation company (GenCo) in uniform price spot market using non-dominated sorting particle swarm optimization (NSPSO). Instead of using a tradeoff technique, NSPSO is introduced to solve the multi-objective strategic bidding problem considering expected profit maximization and risk (profit variation) minimization. Monte Carlo simulation is employed to simulate rivals' bidding behavior. Test results indicate that the proposed approach can provide the efficient non-dominated solution front effectively. In addition, it can be used as a decision making tool for a GenCo compromising between expected profit and price risk in spot market.

  16. Optimality of profit-including prices under ideal planning.

    PubMed

    Samuelson, P A

    1973-07-01

    Although prices calculated by a constant percentage markup on all costs (nonlabor as well as direct-labor) are usually admitted to be more realistic for a competitive capitalistic model, the view is often expressed that, for optimal planning purposes, the "values" model of Marx's Capital, Volume I, is to be preferred. It is shown here that an optimal-control model that maximizes discounted social utility of consumption per capita and that ultimately approaches a steady state must ultimately have optimal pricing that involves equal rates of steady-state profit in all industries; and such optimal pricing will necessarily deviate from Marx's model of equal rates of surplus value (markups on direct-labor only) in all industries.

  17. Optimality of Profit-Including Prices Under Ideal Planning

    PubMed Central

    Samuelson, Paul A.

    1973-01-01

    Although prices calculated by a constant percentage markup on all costs (nonlabor as well as direct-labor) are usually admitted to be more realistic for a competitive capitalistic model, the view is often expressed that, for optimal planning purposes, the “values” model of Marx's Capital, Volume I, is to be preferred. It is shown here that an optimal-control model that maximizes discounted social utility of consumption per capita and that ultimately approaches a steady state must ultimately have optimal pricing that involves equal rates of steady-state profit in all industries; and such optimal pricing will necessarily deviate from Marx's model of equal rates of surplus value (markups on direct-labor only) in all industries. PMID:16592102

  18. Pricing policy for declining demand using item preservation technology.

    PubMed

    Khedlekar, Uttam Kumar; Shukla, Diwakar; Namdeo, Anubhav

    2016-01-01

    We have designed an inventory model for seasonal products in which deterioration can be controlled by item preservation technology investment. Demand for the product is considered price sensitive and decreases linearly. This study has shown that the profit is a concave function of optimal selling price, replenishment time and preservation cost parameter. We simultaneously determined the optimal selling price of the product, the replenishment cycle and the cost of item preservation technology. Additionally, this study has shown that there exists an optimal selling price and optimal preservation investment to maximize the profit for every business set-up. Finally, the model is illustrated by numerical examples and sensitive analysis of the optimal solution with respect to major parameters.

  19. 48 CFR 1516.303-76 - Fee on cost-sharing contracts by subcontractors.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... alert to a potential vulnerability for the Government under cost-sharing contracts when evaluating... subcontractor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the prime. The vulnerability consists of the subsidiary earning a...

  20. A strategy for enhancing financial performance: a study of general acute care hospitals in South Korea.

    PubMed

    Choi, Mankyu; Lee, Keon-Hyung

    2008-01-01

    In this study, the determinants of hospital profitability were evaluated using a sample of 142 hospitals that had undergone hospital standardization inspections by the South Korea Hospital Association over the 4-year period from 1998 to 2001. The measures of profitability used as dependent variables in this study were pretax return on assets, after-tax return on assets, basic earning power, pretax operating margin, and after-tax operating margin. Among those determinants, it was found that ownership type, teaching status, inventory turnover, and the average charge per adjusted inpatient day positively and statistically significantly affected all 5 of these profitability measures. However, the labor expenses per adjusted inpatient day and administrative expenses per adjusted inpatient day negatively and statistically significantly affected all 5 profitability measures. The debt ratio negatively and statistically significantly affected all 5 profitability measures, with the exception of basic earning power. None of the market factors assessed were shown to significantly affect profitability. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that the profitability of hospitals can be improved despite deteriorating external environmental conditions by facilitating the formation of sound financial structures with optimal capital supplies, optimizing the management of total assets with special emphasis placed on inventory management, and introducing efficient control of fixed costs including labor and administrative expenses.

  1. A new approach to optimal selection of services in health care organizations.

    PubMed

    Adolphson, D L; Baird, M L; Lawrence, K D

    1991-01-01

    A new reimbursement policy adopted by Medicare in 1983 caused financial difficulties for many hospitals and health care organizations. Several organizations responded to these difficulties by developing systems to carefully measure their costs of providing services. The purpose of such systems was to provide relevant information about the profitability of hospital services. This paper presents a new method of making hospital service selection decisions: it is based on an optimization model that avoids arbitrary cost allocations as a basis for computing the costs of offering a given service. The new method provides more reliable information about which services are profitable or unprofitable, and it provides an accurate measure of the degree to which a service is profitable or unprofitable. The new method also provides useful information about the sensitivity of the optimal decision to changes in costs and revenues. Specialized algorithms for the optimization model lead to very efficient implementation of the method, even for the largest health care organizations.

  2. Inspection Report on "Employment Verification at Savannah River Site"

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    None

    2009-11-01

    We conducted a review at the Savannah River Site to determine if Site subcontractors verified the employment status of all employees in accordance with Federal requirements and, if unauthorized individuals accessed the site. During our field work, we reviewed 600 I-9 Forms from 21 subcontractors to verify whether Site subcontractors were using the I-9 Forms; and if the forms were accurate and complete. We also conducted a judgmental sample of individuals who accessed the Site during a six-month period to determine if there were any documentation anomalies.

  3. Determining the amount of rumen-protected methionine supplement that corresponds to the optimal levels of methionine in metabolizable protein for maximizing milk protein production and profit on dairy farms.

    PubMed

    Cho, J; Overton, T R; Schwab, C G; Tauer, L W

    2007-10-01

    The profitability of feeding rumen-protected Met (RPMet) sources to produce milk protein was estimated using a 2-step procedure: First, the effect of Met in metabolizable protein (MP) on milk protein production was estimated by using a quadratic Box-Cox functional form. Then, using these estimation results, the amounts of RPMet supplement that corresponded to the optimal levels of Met in MP for maximizing milk protein production and profit on dairy farms were determined. The data used in this study were modified from data used to determine the optimal level of Met in MP for lactating cows in the Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle (NRC, 2001). The data used in this study differ from that in the NRC (2001) data in 2 ways. First, because dairy feed generally contains 1.80 to 1.90% Met in MP, this study adjusts the reference production value (RPV) from 2.06 to 1.80 or 1.90%. Consequently, the milk protein production response is also modified to an RPV of 1.80 or 1.90% Met in MP. Second, because this study is especially interested in how much additional Met, beyond the 1.80 or 1.90% already contained in the basal diet, is required to maximize farm profits, the data used are limited to concentrations of Met in MP above 1.80 or 1.90%. This allowed us to calculate any additional cost to farmers based solely on the price of an RPMet supplement and eliminated the need to estimate the dollar value of each gram of Met already contained in the basal diet. Results indicated that the optimal level of Met in MP for maximizing milk protein production was 2.40 and 2.42%, where the RPV was 1.80 and 1.90%, respectively. These optimal levels were almost identical to the recommended level of Met in MP of 2.40% in the NRC (2001). The amounts of RPMet required to increase the percentage of Met in MP from each RPV to 2.40 and 2.42% were 21.6 and 18.5 g/d, respectively. On the other hand, the optimal levels of Met in MP for maximizing profit were 2.32 and 2.34%, respectively. The amounts of RPMet required to increase the percentage of Met in MP from each RPV to 2.32 and 2.34% were 18.7 and 15.6 g/d, respectively. In each case, the additional daily profit per cow was estimated to be $0.38 and $0.29. These additional profit estimates were $0.02 higher than the additional profit estimates for maximizing milk protein production.

  4. IDS conversions to for-profit status: structuring the deal.

    PubMed

    Jaques, D A

    1998-10-01

    Not-for-profit integrated delivery systems (IDSs) may convert assets to for-profit status in a variety of ways, but typically choose from three basic conversion structures: sale of assets, joint ventures, and lease or management agreements. To select the optimal conversion structure, not-for-profit IDS executives should understand the forces driving their organization's desire or need to effect such a conversion and examine the legal, business, and political implications of each option in light of the organization's particular circumstances.

  5. Optimal design of reverse osmosis module networks

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Maskan, F.; Wiley, D.E.; Johnston, L.P.M.

    2000-05-01

    The structure of individual reverse osmosis modules, the configuration of the module network, and the operating conditions were optimized for seawater and brackish water desalination. The system model included simple mathematical equations to predict the performance of the reverse osmosis modules. The optimization problem was formulated as a constrained multivariable nonlinear optimization. The objective function was the annual profit for the system, consisting of the profit obtained from the permeate, capital cost for the process units, and operating costs associated with energy consumption and maintenance. Optimization of several dual-stage reverse osmosis systems were investigated and compared. It was found thatmore » optimal network designs are the ones that produce the most permeate. It may be possible to achieve economic improvements by refining current membrane module designs and their operating pressures.« less

  6. 49 CFR 26.11 - What records do recipients keep and report?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... universe of DBE and non-DBE contractors and subcontractors who seek to work on your Federally-assisted... estimate of the universe of DBE and non-DBE contractors and subcontractors who seek to work on your...

  7. 38 CFR 62.22 - Scoring criteria for supportive services grant applicants.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... for Veteran Families Program. (3) Organizational qualifications and past performance. (i) Applicant... background, qualifications, experience, and past performance, of the applicant, and any subcontractors...: (1) Background and organizational history. (i) Applicant's, and any identified subcontractors...

  8. 25 CFR 1000.462 - When must a Tribe/Consortium regulate its employees or subcontractors to avoid a personal...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... SELF-GOVERNMENT ACT AMENDMENTS TO THE INDIAN SELF-DETERMINATION AND EDUCATION ACT Conflicts of Interest..., employees, and agents (including subcontractors) engaged in functions related to the management of trust...

  9. 48 CFR 42.505 - Postaward subcontractor conferences.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Postaward subcontractor conferences. 42.505 Section 42.505 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION CONTRACT MANAGEMENT CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION AND AUDIT SERVICES Postaward Orientation 42.505 Postaward...

  10. The variance of length of stay and the optimal DRG outlier payments.

    PubMed

    Felder, Stefan

    2009-09-01

    Prospective payment schemes in health care often include supply-side insurance for cost outliers. In hospital reimbursement, prospective payments for patient discharges, based on their classification into diagnosis related group (DRGs), are complemented by outlier payments for long stay patients. The outlier scheme fixes the length of stay (LOS) threshold, constraining the profit risk of the hospitals. In most DRG systems, this threshold increases with the standard deviation of the LOS distribution. The present paper addresses the adequacy of this DRG outlier threshold rule for risk-averse hospitals with preferences depending on the expected value and the variance of profits. It first shows that the optimal threshold solves the hospital's tradeoff between higher profit risk and lower premium loading payments. It then demonstrates for normally distributed truncated LOS that the optimal outlier threshold indeed decreases with an increase in the standard deviation.

  11. 48 CFR 5108.070 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... capacity for a negotiated length of time, to conduct subcontractor planning, and to produce specified... capacity for a negotiated length of time, to conduct subcontractor planning, and to produce specified... Section 5108.070 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY ACQUISITION REGULATIONS...

  12. 48 CFR 3.502-1 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Definitions. 3.502-1 Section 3.502-1 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL IMPROPER..., prime contractor employee, subcontractor, or subcontractor employee for the purpose of improperly...

  13. 48 CFR 3.502-1 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Definitions. 3.502-1 Section 3.502-1 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL IMPROPER..., prime contractor employee, subcontractor, or subcontractor employee for the purpose of improperly...

  14. 48 CFR 3.502-1 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ..., subcontractor, or subcontractor employee for the purpose of improperly obtaining or rewarding favorable... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Definitions. 3.502-1 Section 3.502-1 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL IMPROPER...

  15. 48 CFR 3.502-1 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Definitions. 3.502-1 Section 3.502-1 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL IMPROPER..., prime contractor employee, subcontractor, or subcontractor employee for the purpose of improperly...

  16. 48 CFR 52.232-12 - Advance Payments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... subcontractors for experimental, developmental, or research work. (3) If interest is required under the contract... each request for advance payments is true and correct. (8) These representations shall be continuing... nonprofit educational or research subcontractors for experimental, developmental, or research work...

  17. 48 CFR 52.232-12 - Advance Payments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... subcontractors for experimental, developmental, or research work. (3) If interest is required under the contract... each request for advance payments is true and correct. (8) These representations shall be continuing... nonprofit educational or research subcontractors for experimental, developmental, or research work...

  18. 48 CFR 52.232-12 - Advance Payments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... subcontractors for experimental, developmental, or research work. (3) If interest is required under the contract... each request for advance payments is true and correct. (8) These representations shall be continuing... nonprofit educational or research subcontractors for experimental, developmental, or research work...

  19. 48 CFR 52.232-12 - Advance Payments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... subcontractors for experimental, developmental, or research work. (3) If interest is required under the contract... each request for advance payments is true and correct. (8) These representations shall be continuing... nonprofit educational or research subcontractors for experimental, developmental, or research work...

  20. 48 CFR 52.232-12 - Advance Payments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... subcontractors for experimental, developmental, or research work. (3) If interest is required under the contract... each request for advance payments is true and correct. (8) These representations shall be continuing... nonprofit educational or research subcontractors for experimental, developmental, or research work...

  1. 48 CFR 3003.502-2 - Subcontractor kickbacks.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    .... 3003.502-2 Section 3003.502-2 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, HOMELAND SECURITY ACQUISITION REGULATION (HSAR) GENERAL IMPROPER BUSINESS PRACTICES AND PERSONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Other Improper Business Practices 3003.502-2 Subcontractor kickbacks. (g) The DHS OIG...

  2. Advanced quality systems : probabilistic optimization for profit (Prob.O.Prof) software

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2009-04-01

    Contractors constantly have to make decisions regarding how to maximize profit and minimize risk on paving projects. With more and more States adopting incentive/disincentive pay adjustment provisions for quality, as measured by various acceptance qu...

  3. 48 CFR 1602.170-15 - Subcontractor.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Subcontractor. 1602.170-15 Section 1602.170-15 Federal Acquisition Regulations System OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL DEFINITIONS OF WORDS AND TERMS Definitions of FEHBP...

  4. 48 CFR 1602.170-15 - Subcontractor.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Subcontractor. 1602.170-15 Section 1602.170-15 Federal Acquisition Regulations System OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL DEFINITIONS OF WORDS AND TERMS Definitions of FEHBP...

  5. 48 CFR 1602.170-15 - Subcontractor.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Subcontractor. 1602.170-15 Section 1602.170-15 Federal Acquisition Regulations System OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL DEFINITIONS OF WORDS AND TERMS Definitions of FEHBP...

  6. 48 CFR 1602.170-14 - Subcontractor.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 true Subcontractor. 1602.170-14 Section 1602.170-14 Federal Acquisition Regulations System OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL DEFINITIONS OF WORDS AND TERMS Definitions of FEHBP...

  7. 48 CFR 52.203-7 - Anti-Kickback Procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 2 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Anti-Kickback Procedures. 52.203-7 Section 52.203-7 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION... indirectly, to any prime Contractor, prime Contractor employee, subcontractor, or subcontractor employee for...

  8. 48 CFR 52.203-7 - Anti-Kickback Procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 2 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Anti-Kickback Procedures. 52.203-7 Section 52.203-7 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION... Contractor, prime Contractor employee, subcontractor, or subcontractor employee for the purpose of improperly...

  9. 48 CFR 52.203-7 - Anti-Kickback Procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 2 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Anti-Kickback Procedures. 52.203-7 Section 52.203-7 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION... indirectly, to any prime Contractor, prime Contractor employee, subcontractor, or subcontractor employee for...

  10. 48 CFR 52.203-7 - Anti-Kickback Procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 2 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Anti-Kickback Procedures. 52.203-7 Section 52.203-7 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION... indirectly, to any prime Contractor, prime Contractor employee, subcontractor, or subcontractor employee for...

  11. 48 CFR 931.205-47 - Costs related to legal and other proceedings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... ENERGY GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT COST PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES Contracts With Commercial... those contractors and subcontractors with contracts exceeding $5,000,000. Employee whistleblower action... against a covered contractor or subcontractor, the contracting officer— (i) May authorize reimbursement of...

  12. Respirators: Air Purifying, Self-Study, Course 40723

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Chochoms, Michael

    Respirators: Air Purifying Self-Study (COURSE 40723) is designed for Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) workers, support services subcontractors, and other LANL subcontractors who work under the LANL Respiratory Protection Program (RPP). This course also meets the air-purifying respirators (APRs) retraining requirement.

  13. 48 CFR 430.202-8 - Subcontractor Disclosure Statements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Subcontractor Disclosure Statements. 430.202-8 Section 430.202-8 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ADMINISTRATION CAS Program Requirements 430.202...

  14. 48 CFR 30.202-8 - Subcontractor disclosure statements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Subcontractor disclosure statements. 30.202-8 Section 30.202-8 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ADMINISTRATION CAS Program Requirements 30.202...

  15. 48 CFR 1852.234-2 - Earned Value Management System.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... compliance/validation. The Contractor shall follow and implement the approved compliance/validation plan in a... process. (f) The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that its subcontractors, identified below... compliance/validation. (Contracting Officer to insert names of subcontractors or subcontracted effort.) (g...

  16. 48 CFR 1852.234-2 - Earned Value Management System.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... compliance/validation. The Contractor shall follow and implement the approved compliance/validation plan in a... process. (f) The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that its subcontractors, identified below... compliance/validation. (Contracting Officer to insert names of subcontractors or subcontracted effort.) (g...

  17. 48 CFR 1852.234-2 - Earned Value Management System.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... compliance/validation. The Contractor shall follow and implement the approved compliance/validation plan in a... process. (f) The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that its subcontractors, identified below... compliance/validation. (Contracting Officer to insert names of subcontractors or subcontracted effort.) (g...

  18. Sustainability is possible despite greed - Exploring the nexus between profitability and sustainability in common pool resource systems.

    PubMed

    Osten, Friedrich Burkhard von der; Kirley, Michael; Miller, Tim

    2017-05-23

    The sustainable use of common pool resources has become a significant global challenge. It is now widely accepted that specific mechanisms such as community-based management strategies, institutional responses such as resource privatization, information availability and emergent social norms can be used to constrain individual 'harvesting' to socially optimal levels. However, there is a paucity of research focused specifically on aligning profitability and sustainability goals. In this paper, an integrated mathematical model of a common pool resource game is developed to explore the nexus between the underlying costs and benefits of harvesting decisions and the sustainable level of a shared, dynamic resource. We derive optimal harvesting efforts analytically and then use numerical simulations to show that individuals in a group can learn to make harvesting decisions that lead to the globally optimal levels. Individual agents make their decision based on signals received and a trade-off between economic and ecological sustainability. When the balance is weighted towards profitability, acceptable economic and social outcomes emerge. However, if individual agents are solely driven by profit, the shared resource is depleted in the long run - sustainability is possible despite some greed, but too much will lead to over-exploitation.

  19. 77 FR 76028 - Access to Confidential Business Information by Science Applications International Corporation and...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-12-26

    ... Business Information by Science Applications International Corporation and Its Identified Subcontractor...: EPA has authorized its contractor, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) of McLean, VA and its identified subcontractor, Impact Innovations Systems, Inc. (IIS), to access information which...

  20. 48 CFR 3.502-2 - Subcontractor kickbacks.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Subcontractor kickbacks. 3.502-2 Section 3.502-2 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL... rewarding favorable treatment in connection with a prime contract or a subcontract relating to a prime...

  1. 48 CFR 3.502-2 - Subcontractor kickbacks.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Subcontractor kickbacks. 3.502-2 Section 3.502-2 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL... rewarding favorable treatment in connection with a prime contract or a subcontract relating to a prime...

  2. 77 FR 54864 - Federal Acquisition Regulation; Documenting Contractor Performance

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-09-06

    ....g., late or nonpayment to subcontractors, trafficking violations, tax delinquency, failure to report... applicable) (e.g.; late or nonpayment to subcontractors, trafficking violations, tax delinquency, failure to... that allowing contractors to ``report to the CPARS system'' would have a negative impact on future...

  3. 77 FR 7108 - Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination Obligations of Contractors and Subcontractors Regarding...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-02-10

    ...-AA02 Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination Obligations of Contractors and Subcontractors Regarding... affirmative action regulations of section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. This document..., OFCCP published a proposed rule entitled, ``Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination Obligations of...

  4. 48 CFR 209.104-4 - Subcontractor responsibility.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ...'s (CCC) proposal of a firm as its subcontractor is sufficient basis for an affirmative determination of responsibility. However, when the CCC determination of responsibility is not consistent with other information available to the contracting officer, the contracting officer shall request from CCC and any other...

  5. 48 CFR 209.104-4 - Subcontractor responsibility.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ...'s (CCC) proposal of a firm as its subcontractor is sufficient basis for an affirmative determination of responsibility. However, when the CCC determination of responsibility is not consistent with other information available to the contracting officer, the contracting officer shall request from CCC and any other...

  6. Two-echelon logistics service supply chain decision game considering quality supervision

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shi, Jiaying

    2017-10-01

    Due to the increasing importance of supply chain logistics service, we established the Stackelberg game model between single integrator and single subcontractors under decentralized and centralized circumstances, and found that logistics services integrators as a leader prefer centralized decision-making but logistics service subcontractors tend to the decentralized decision-making. Then, we further analyzed why subcontractor chose to deceive and rebuilt a principal-agent game model to monitor the logistics services quality of them. Mixed Strategy Nash equilibrium and related parameters were discussed. The results show that strengthening the supervision and coordination can improve the quality level of logistics service supply chain.

  7. 48 CFR 9.405-2 - Restrictions on subcontracting.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... debarred, suspended, or proposed for debarment as evidenced by the parties' listing in SAM Exclusions (see... contractor's knowledge of the reasons for the subcontractor being listed in SAM Exclusions; (3) The compelling reason(s) for doing business with the subcontractor notwithstanding its listing in SAM Exclusions...

  8. 48 CFR 9.405-2 - Restrictions on subcontracting.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... debarred, suspended, or proposed for debarment as evidenced by the parties' listing in SAM Exclusions (see... contractor's knowledge of the reasons for the subcontractor being listed in SAM Exclusions; (3) The compelling reason(s) for doing business with the subcontractor notwithstanding its listing in SAM Exclusions...

  9. 75 FR 8390 - Eligibility of a Nonprofit Corporation/Housing Consultant Certification

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-02-24

    ... the project and has no conflict of interest. The general contractor, subcontractors, equipment lessees... relationship they have with the sponsor or the mortgagor. HUD uses this information to assure compliance with... and has no conflict of interest. The general contractor, subcontractors, equipment lessees, material...

  10. 48 CFR 227.7203-15 - Subcontractor rights in computer software or computer software documentation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... computer software or computer software documentation. 227.7203-15 Section 227.7203-15 Federal Acquisition... REQUIREMENTS PATENTS, DATA, AND COPYRIGHTS Rights in Computer Software and Computer Software Documentation 227.7203-15 Subcontractor rights in computer software or computer software documentation. (a...

  11. 48 CFR 227.7203-15 - Subcontractor rights in computer software or computer software documentation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... computer software or computer software documentation. 227.7203-15 Section 227.7203-15 Federal Acquisition... REQUIREMENTS PATENTS, DATA, AND COPYRIGHTS Rights in Computer Software and Computer Software Documentation 227.7203-15 Subcontractor rights in computer software or computer software documentation. (a...

  12. 48 CFR 227.7203-15 - Subcontractor rights in computer software or computer software documentation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... computer software or computer software documentation. 227.7203-15 Section 227.7203-15 Federal Acquisition... REQUIREMENTS PATENTS, DATA, AND COPYRIGHTS Rights in Computer Software and Computer Software Documentation 227.7203-15 Subcontractor rights in computer software or computer software documentation. (a...

  13. 48 CFR 227.7203-15 - Subcontractor rights in computer software or computer software documentation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... computer software or computer software documentation. 227.7203-15 Section 227.7203-15 Federal Acquisition... REQUIREMENTS PATENTS, DATA, AND COPYRIGHTS Rights in Computer Software and Computer Software Documentation 227.7203-15 Subcontractor rights in computer software or computer software documentation. (a...

  14. 48 CFR 227.7203-15 - Subcontractor rights in computer software or computer software documentation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... computer software or computer software documentation. 227.7203-15 Section 227.7203-15 Federal Acquisition... REQUIREMENTS PATENTS, DATA, AND COPYRIGHTS Rights in Computer Software and Computer Software Documentation 227.7203-15 Subcontractor rights in computer software or computer software documentation. (a...

  15. 48 CFR 536.271 - Project labor agreements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... facilities to be owned by a Federal department or agency. You may use a PLA in leasehold arrangement... than $5 million. Project Labor Agreement (PLA) means an agreement between the contractor, subcontractors, and the union(s) representing workers. Under a PLA, the contractor and subcontractors on a...

  16. 75 FR 22407 - Versar, Inc. and Syracuse Research Corporation; Transfer of Data

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-04-28

    ... subcontractor, Syracuse Research Corporation, have been awarded a contract to perform work for OPP, and access... Versar, Inc. and its subcontractor, Syracuse Research Corporation, have completed their work. List of... Research Corporation; Transfer of Data AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice...

  17. 29 CFR 471.1 - What definitions apply to this part?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... NOTIFICATION OF EMPLOYEE RIGHTS UNDER FEDERAL LABOR LAWS OBLIGATIONS OF FEDERAL CONTRACTORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS; NOTIFICATION OF EMPLOYEE RIGHTS UNDER FEDERAL LABOR LAWS Definitions, Requirements for Employee Notice, and... location or facility at which a contractor or subcontractor meets a demand or performs a function relating...

  18. 75 FR 55577 - Clean Water Act; Contractor Access to Confidential Business Information

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-09-13

    ... ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-9200-8] Clean Water Act; Contractor Access to Confidential... Recovery Act (RCRA). Transfer of the information will allow the contractor and subcontractors to access... contractors and subcontractors over the history of the effluent guidelines program. EPA determined that this...

  19. 75 FR 60452 - Clean Water Act; Contractor Access to Confidential Business Information

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-09-30

    ... ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-9208-9] Clean Water Act; Contractor Access to Confidential... electric industry to a new subcontractor of a contractor, Eastern Research Group (ERG). EPA previously... contractors and subcontractors to access information necessary to support EPA in the planning, development...

  20. Economics of adopting solar photovoltaic energy systems in irrigation

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Matlin, R.W.; Katzman, M.T.

    An economic analysis concerning the adoption of solar photovoltaic energy systems in irrigation has been made compared to conventional fossil fuel energy sources. The basis for this analysis is presented along with a discussion as to the time of initial profitability, the time of optimal investment, the effects of the tax system, the cost per acre that would make irrigation unviable, and possible governmental incentives that would promote the deployment of photovoltaic irrigation systems between the time of initial profitability and the time of optimal investment.

  1. Getting the most out of all your customers.

    PubMed

    Thomas, Jacquelyn S; Reinartz, Werner; Kumar, V

    2004-01-01

    Companies spend billions of dollars on direct marketing, targeting individual customers with ever more accuracy. Yet despite the power of the myriad data-collecting and analytical tools at their disposal, they're still having trouble optimizing their direct-marketing investments. Many marketers try to minimize costs by pursuing only those customers who are cheap to find and cheap to keep. Others try to get the most customers they possibly can and keep all of them for as long as they can. But a customer need not be loyal to be highly profitable, and many loyal customers turn out to be highly unprofitable. Companies can get more out of direct marketing if they see it as a single system for generating profits than if they try to maximize performance measures at each stage of the process. This article describes a tool for doing just that. Called ARPRO (Allocating Resources for Profits), the tool is essentially a complex regression analysis that can estimate the impact of a company's direct-marketing investments on the profitability of its customer pool. With data that companies already gather, the tool can show managers how much to spend on acquisition versus retention and even what percentage of their funds they should allocate to the different direct-marketing channels. Using the model, companies can easily see that even small deviations from the optimal levels of customer profitability are expensive. Applying it to one catalog retailer showed, for instance, that a 10% reduction in marketing costs would lead to a 1.8 million dollar drop in long-term customer profits. Conversely, spending 69% less on marketing would actually increase average customer profitability at one B2B service provider by 42%. What's more, the tool can show that finding the optimal balance between investments in acquisition and retention can be more important than finding the optimum amount to invest overall.

  2. Government - Prime Contractor - Subcontractor Relationships: An Analysis.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1979-12-01

    contract, prime contractor frustration and animosity due to over zealous 122 JAM ,- Government managers, and subcontractor problems of "over- reach" and...Journal, Vol. 12, No. 2,Second Quarter, 1978. 41. Singer, N.P., "The Unheard of Standard Set of Sub- contract Terms and Conditions - As Easy as Pumpkin Pie

  3. 48 CFR 215.408 - Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING BY....215-11, Price Reduction for Defective Cost or Pricing Data—Modifications; (ii) FAR 52.215-12, Subcontractor Cost or Pricing Data; or (iii) FAR 52.215-13, Subcontractor Cost or Pricing Data—Modifications. (2...

  4. 78 FR 66697 - Access to Confidential Business Information by Science Applications International Corporation and...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-11-06

    ... Business Information by Science Applications International Corporation and Its Identified Subcontractors..., Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) of McLean, VA, and its subcontractors to access information which has been submitted to EPA under all sections of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA...

  5. 77 FR 75089 - Federal Acquisition Regulation; Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-12-19

    ... link ``Submit a Comment'' that corresponds with FAR Case 2012-031. Follow the instructions provided at... proper documentation from small business subcontractors. The clause will be inserted into all new... of commercial items. * * * * * (d) * * * (4) Insert the clause at 52.232-XX, Providing Accelerated...

  6. 48 CFR 852.236-80 - Subcontracts and work coordination.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... trades, subcontractors, and material suppliers. The contractor shall, in advance of the work, prepare... contractor shall also be responsible for coordination of the work of the trades, subcontractors, and material.... Drawings may be composite (with distinctive colors for the various trades) or may be separate but fully...

  7. 48 CFR 852.236-80 - Subcontracts and work coordination.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... trades, subcontractors, and material suppliers. The contractor shall, in advance of the work, prepare... contractor shall also be responsible for coordination of the work of the trades, subcontractors, and material.... Drawings may be composite (with distinctive colors for the various trades) or may be separate but fully...

  8. 48 CFR 852.236-80 - Subcontracts and work coordination.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... trades, subcontractors, and material suppliers. The contractor shall, in advance of the work, prepare... contractor shall also be responsible for coordination of the work of the trades, subcontractors, and material.... Drawings may be composite (with distinctive colors for the various trades) or may be separate but fully...

  9. 48 CFR 852.236-80 - Subcontracts and work coordination.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... trades, subcontractors, and material suppliers. The contractor shall, in advance of the work, prepare... contractor shall also be responsible for coordination of the work of the trades, subcontractors, and material.... Drawings may be composite (with distinctive colors for the various trades) or may be separate but fully...

  10. 48 CFR 52.222-41 - Service Contract Act of 1965.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... subcontractor which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to the health or safety of the service employees. The Contractor or subcontractor shall comply with the safety and health standards applied under 29 CFR... avoid serious impairment of the conduct of Government business. (1) Apprentices, student-learners, and...

  11. 42 CFR 438.414 - Information about the grievance system to providers and subcontractors.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 42 Public Health 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Information about the grievance system to providers and subcontractors. 438.414 Section 438.414 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS MANAGED CARE Grievance System...

  12. 23 CFR Appendix B to Subpart B of... - Required Contract Provisions, Appalachian Development Highway System and Local Access Roads...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... Opportunity: Employment Practices. IV. Equal Opportunity: Selection of Subcontractors, Procurement of... pay or other forms of compensation; and selection of training, including apprenticeship. The... selection of subcontractors, procurement of materials, and leasing of equipment. During the performance of...

  13. 48 CFR 49.108-6 - Delay in settling subcontractor settlement proposals.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Delay in settling subcontractor settlement proposals. 49.108-6 Section 49.108-6 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION CONTRACT MANAGEMENT TERMINATION OF CONTRACTS General Principles 49.108-6 Delay in...

  14. 78 FR 42804 - Whirlpool Corporation, Including On-Site Leased Workers From Aerotek/Tek Systems (Subcontractor...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-07-17

    ... LaSalle for Smith, Arkansas; Amended Certification Regarding Eligibility To Apply for Worker Adjustment... Systems (subcontractor of IBM Corporation), Fort Smith, Arkansas. The Department's notice of determination... employed on-site at the Fort Smith, Arkansas location of Whirlpool Corporation. The Department has...

  15. 48 CFR 30.202-8 - Subcontractor disclosure statements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Subcontractor disclosure statements. 30.202-8 Section 30.202-8 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION... change the determination of the lower-tier CFAO. (b) Any determination that it is impractical to secure a...

  16. 48 CFR 30.202-8 - Subcontractor disclosure statements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Subcontractor disclosure statements. 30.202-8 Section 30.202-8 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION... change the determination of the lower-tier CFAO. (b) Any determination that it is impractical to secure a...

  17. 48 CFR 30.202-8 - Subcontractor disclosure statements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Subcontractor disclosure statements. 30.202-8 Section 30.202-8 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION... change the determination of the lower-tier CFAO. (b) Any determination that it is impractical to secure a...

  18. 48 CFR 30.202-8 - Subcontractor disclosure statements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Subcontractor disclosure statements. 30.202-8 Section 30.202-8 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION... change the determination of the lower-tier CFAO. (b) Any determination that it is impractical to secure a...

  19. Comparison of particle swarm optimization and differential evolution for aggregators' profit maximization in the demand response system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wisittipanit, Nuttachat; Wisittipanich, Warisa

    2018-07-01

    Demand response (DR) refers to changes in the electricity use patterns of end-users in response to incentive payment designed to prompt lower electricity use during peak periods. Typically, there are three players in the DR system: an electric utility operator, a set of aggregators and a set of end-users. The DR model used in this study aims to minimize the operator's operational cost and offer rewards to aggregators, while profit-maximizing aggregators compete to sell DR services to the operator and provide compensation to end-users for altering their consumption profiles. This article presents the first application of two metaheuristics in the DR system: particle swarm optimization (PSO) and differential evolution (DE). The objective is to optimize the incentive payments during various periods to satisfy all stakeholders. The results show that DE significantly outperforms PSO, since it can attain better compensation rates, lower operational costs and higher aggregator profits.

  20. Two retailer-supplier supply chain models with default risk under trade credit policy.

    PubMed

    Wu, Chengfeng; Zhao, Qiuhong

    2016-01-01

    The purpose of the paper is to formulate two uncooperative replenishment models with demand and default risk which are the functions of the trade credit period, i.e., a Nash equilibrium model and a supplier-Stackelberg model. Firstly, we present the optimal results of decentralized decision and centralized decision without trade credit. Secondly, we derive the existence and uniqueness conditions of the optimal solutions under the two games, respectively. Moreover, we present a set of theorems and corollary to determine the optimal solutions. Finally, we provide an example and sensitivity analysis to illustrate the proposed strategy and optimal solutions. Sensitivity analysis reveals that the total profits of supply chain under the two games both are better than the results under the centralized decision only if the optimal trade credit period isn't too short. It also reveals that the size of trade credit period, demand, retailer's profit and supplier's profit have strong relationship with the increasing demand coefficient, wholesale price, default risk coefficient and production cost. The major contribution of the paper is that we comprehensively compare between the results of decentralized decision and centralized decision without trade credit, Nash equilibrium and supplier-Stackelberg models with trade credit, and obtain some interesting managerial insights and practical implications.

  1. Using a fuzzy DEMATEL method for analyzing the factors influencing subcontractors selection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kozik, Renata

    2016-06-01

    Subcontracting is a long-standing practice in the construction industry. This form of project organization, if manage properly, could provide the better quality, reduction in project time and costs. Subcontractors selection is a multi-criterion problem and can be determined by many factors. Identifying the importance of each of them as well as the direction of cause-effect relations between various types of factors can improve the management process. Their values could be evaluated on the basis of the available expert opinions with the application of a fuzzy multi-stage grading scale. In this paper it is recommended to use fuzzy DEMATEL method to analyze the relationship between factors affecting subcontractors selection.

  2. 76 FR 38050 - Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Management of Manufacturing Risk in Major...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-06-29

    ...-readiness processes of potential contractors and subcontractors as a part of the source selection process... Supplement (DFARS) subpart 215.3, Source Selection. It amends DFARS 215.304(c) by adding paragraph (iv) to... and subcontractors shall be considered as a part of the source selection process for major defense...

  3. 48 CFR 52.214-28 - Subcontractor Certified Cost or Pricing Data-Modifications-Sealed Bidding.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... Cost or Pricing Data-Modifications-Sealed Bidding. 52.214-28 Section 52.214-28 Federal Acquisition... CONTRACT CLAUSES Text of Provisions and Clauses 52.214-28 Subcontractor Certified Cost or Pricing Data... Cost or Pricing Data—Modifications—Sealed Bidding (OCT 2010) (a) The requirements of paragraphs (b) and...

  4. 25 CFR 900.38 - Do these standards apply to the subcontractors of an Indian tribe or tribal organization carrying...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... Indian tribe or tribal organization carrying out a self-determination contract? 900.38 Section 900.38... the subcontractors of an Indian tribe or tribal organization carrying out a self-determination... HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CONTRACTS UNDER THE INDIAN SELF-DETERMINATION AND EDUCATION ASSISTANCE ACT...

  5. 25 CFR 900.38 - Do these standards apply to the subcontractors of an Indian tribe or tribal organization carrying...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... Indian tribe or tribal organization carrying out a self-determination contract? 900.38 Section 900.38... the subcontractors of an Indian tribe or tribal organization carrying out a self-determination... HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CONTRACTS UNDER THE INDIAN SELF-DETERMINATION AND EDUCATION ASSISTANCE ACT...

  6. 25 CFR 900.38 - Do these standards apply to the subcontractors of an Indian tribe or tribal organization carrying...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... Indian tribe or tribal organization carrying out a self-determination contract? 900.38 Section 900.38... the subcontractors of an Indian tribe or tribal organization carrying out a self-determination... HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CONTRACTS UNDER THE INDIAN SELF-DETERMINATION AND EDUCATION ASSISTANCE ACT...

  7. 25 CFR 900.38 - Do these standards apply to the subcontractors of an Indian tribe or tribal organization carrying...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... Indian tribe or tribal organization carrying out a self-determination contract? 900.38 Section 900.38... the subcontractors of an Indian tribe or tribal organization carrying out a self-determination... HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CONTRACTS UNDER THE INDIAN SELF-DETERMINATION AND EDUCATION ASSISTANCE ACT...

  8. 25 CFR 900.38 - Do these standards apply to the subcontractors of an Indian tribe or tribal organization carrying...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... Indian tribe or tribal organization carrying out a self-determination contract? 900.38 Section 900.38... the subcontractors of an Indian tribe or tribal organization carrying out a self-determination... HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CONTRACTS UNDER THE INDIAN SELF-DETERMINATION AND EDUCATION ASSISTANCE ACT...

  9. 42 CFR 438.810 - Expenditures for enrollment broker services.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ...) Freedom from conflict of interest. The broker and its subcontractor are free from conflict of interest. A broker or subcontractor is not considered free from conflict of interest if any person who is the owner... been, or is now, subject to civil money penalties under the Act. (3) Approval. The initial contract or...

  10. 42 CFR 438.810 - Expenditures for enrollment broker services.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ...) Freedom from conflict of interest. The broker and its subcontractor are free from conflict of interest. A broker or subcontractor is not considered free from conflict of interest if any person who is the owner... been, or is now, subject to civil money penalties under the Act. (3) Approval. The initial contract or...

  11. 42 CFR 438.810 - Expenditures for enrollment broker services.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ...) Freedom from conflict of interest. The broker and its subcontractor are free from conflict of interest. A broker or subcontractor is not considered free from conflict of interest if any person who is the owner... been, or is now, subject to civil money penalties under the Act. (3) Approval. The initial contract or...

  12. 42 CFR 438.810 - Expenditures for enrollment broker services.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ...) Freedom from conflict of interest. The broker and its subcontractor are free from conflict of interest. A broker or subcontractor is not considered free from conflict of interest if any person who is the owner... been, or is now, subject to civil money penalties under the Act. (3) Approval. The initial contract or...

  13. 42 CFR 438.810 - Expenditures for enrollment broker services.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ...) Freedom from conflict of interest. The broker and its subcontractor are free from conflict of interest. A broker or subcontractor is not considered free from conflict of interest if any person who is the owner... been, or is now, subject to civil money penalties under the Act. (3) Approval. The initial contract or...

  14. 48 CFR 552.236-83 - Requirement for a Project Labor Agreement.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    .... “Project Labor Agreement” (PLA) means an agreement between the contractor, subcontractors, and the union(s) representing workers. Under a PLA, the contractor and subcontractors on a project and the union(s) agree on... Contractor shall, after contract award, enter into a PLA for performance of [Insert project or contract name...

  15. 48 CFR 52.232-27 - Prompt payment for construction contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... met, if applicable. However, when the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the... include such clauses in their subcontracts with each lower-tier subcontractor or supplier. (d) Subcontract... impair the right of the Contractor or a subcontractor at any tier to negotiate, and to include in their...

  16. 78 FR 32250 - CDM Smith and Dynamac Corp; Transfer of Data

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-05-29

    ... ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0036; FRL-9387-5] CDM Smith and Dynamac Corp... the submitter, will be transferred to CDM Smith and its subcontractor, Dynamac Corp, in accordance with 40 CFR 2.307(h)(3) and 2.308(i)(2). CDM Smith and its subcontractor, Dynamac Corp, have been...

  17. Ohio-Based NREL Subcontractor Wins Major Small Business Award

    Science.gov Websites

    Ohio-Based NREL Subcontractor Wins Major Small Business Award For more information contact: e:mail alternative fuel vehicles has won a major award from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Automotive Testing Laboratories, Inc. (ATL) of East Liberty, Ohio was named the SBA's Midwest Regional Small Business

  18. 42 CFR 420.303 - HHS criteria for requesting books, documents, and records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 42 Public Health 3 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false HHS criteria for requesting books, documents, and... Books, Documents, and Records of Subcontractors § 420.303 HHS criteria for requesting books, documents, and records. HHS will generally request books, documents, and records from a subcontractor only if one...

  19. 42 CFR 420.303 - HHS criteria for requesting books, documents, and records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 42 Public Health 3 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false HHS criteria for requesting books, documents, and... Books, Documents, and Records of Subcontractors § 420.303 HHS criteria for requesting books, documents, and records. HHS will generally request books, documents, and records from a subcontractor only if one...

  20. 42 CFR 420.303 - HHS criteria for requesting books, documents, and records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 42 Public Health 3 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false HHS criteria for requesting books, documents, and... Books, Documents, and Records of Subcontractors § 420.303 HHS criteria for requesting books, documents, and records. HHS will generally request books, documents, and records from a subcontractor only if one...

  1. Product Mix Selection Using AN Evolutionary Technique

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tsoulos, Ioannis G.; Vasant, Pandian

    2009-08-01

    This paper proposes an evolutionary technique for the solution of a real—life industrial problem and particular for the product mix selection problem. The evolutionary technique is a combination of a genetic algorithm that preserves the feasibility of the trial solutions with penalties and some local optimization method. The goal of this paper has been achieved in finding the best near optimal solution for the profit fitness function respect to vagueness factor and level of satisfaction. The findings of the profit values will be very useful for the decision makers in the industrial engineering sector for the implementation purpose. It's possible to improve the solutions obtained in this study by employing other meta-heuristic methods such as simulated annealing, tabu Search, ant colony optimization, particle swarm optimization and artificial immune systems.

  2. Understanding medical group financial and operational performance: the synergistic effect of linking statistical process control and profit and loss.

    PubMed

    Smolko, J R; Greisler, D S

    2001-01-01

    There is ongoing pressure for medical groups owned by not-for-profit health care systems or for-profit entrepreneurs to generate profit. The fading promise of superior strategy through health care integration has boards of directors clamoring for bottom-line performance. While prudent, sole focus on the bottom line through the lens of the profit-and-loss (P&L) statement provides incomplete information upon which to base executive decisions. The purpose of this paper is to suggest that placing statistical process control (SPC) charts in tandem with the P&L statement provides a more complete picture of medical group performance thereby optimizing decision making as executives deal with the whitewater issues surrounding physician practice ownership.

  3. Pricing, Carbon Emission Reduction, Low-Carbon Promotion and Returning Decision in a Closed-Loop Supply Chain under Vertical and Horizontal Cooperation

    PubMed Central

    Li, Hui; Wang, Chuanxu; Shang, Meng; Ou, Wei

    2017-01-01

    In this paper, we examine the influences of vertical and horizontal cooperation models on the optimal decisions and performance of a low-carbon closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) with a manufacturer and two retailers, and study optimal operation in the competitive pricing, competitive the low-carbon promotion, the carbon emission reduction, the used-products collection and the profits. We consider the completely decentralized model, M-R vertical cooperation model, R-R horizontal cooperation model, M-R-R vertical and horizontal cooperation model and completely centralized model, and also identify the optimal decision results and profits. It can be observed from a systematic comparison and numerical analysis that the completely centralized model is best in all optimal decision results among all models. In semi-cooperation, the M-R vertical cooperation model is positive, the R-R horizontal cooperation model is passive, and the positivity of the M-R-R vertical and horizontal cooperation model decreases with competitive intensity increasing in the used-products returning, carbon emissions reduction level, low-carbon promotion effort and the profits of the manufacturer and the entire supply chain. PMID:29104268

  4. Pricing, Carbon Emission Reduction, Low-Carbon Promotion and Returning Decision in a Closed-Loop Supply Chain under Vertical and Horizontal Cooperation.

    PubMed

    Li, Hui; Wang, Chuanxu; Shang, Meng; Ou, Wei

    2017-11-01

    In this paper, we examine the influences of vertical and horizontal cooperation models on the optimal decisions and performance of a low-carbon closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) with a manufacturer and two retailers, and study optimal operation in the competitive pricing, competitive the low-carbon promotion, the carbon emission reduction, the used-products collection and the profits. We consider the completely decentralized model, M-R vertical cooperation model, R-R horizontal cooperation model, M-R-R vertical and horizontal cooperation model and completely centralized model, and also identify the optimal decision results and profits. It can be observed from a systematic comparison and numerical analysis that the completely centralized model is best in all optimal decision results among all models. In semi-cooperation, the M-R vertical cooperation model is positive, the R-R horizontal cooperation model is passive, and the positivity of the M-R-R vertical and horizontal cooperation model decreases with competitive intensity increasing in the used-products returning, carbon emissions reduction level, low-carbon promotion effort and the profits of the manufacturer and the entire supply chain.

  5. Profitability and risk analysis of soybean planting date by maturity group

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Limited knowledge exists on estimated soybean yield response to planting date to determine the profit-maximizing planting date for soybean production by maturity group (MG) in the southern United States. Furthermore, determining the optimal MG and crop insurance coverage level that is preferred by r...

  6. Formulation and demonstration of a robust mean variance optimization approach for concurrent airline network and aircraft design

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Davendralingam, Navindran

    Conceptual design of aircraft and the airline network (routes) on which aircraft fly on are inextricably linked to passenger driven demand. Many factors influence passenger demand for various Origin-Destination (O-D) city pairs including demographics, geographic location, seasonality, socio-economic factors and naturally, the operations of directly competing airlines. The expansion of airline operations involves the identificaion of appropriate aircraft to meet projected future demand. The decisions made in incorporating and subsequently allocating these new aircraft to serve air travel demand affects the inherent risk and profit potential as predicted through the airline revenue management systems. Competition between airlines then translates to latent passenger observations of the routes served between OD pairs and ticket pricing---this in effect reflexively drives future states of demand. This thesis addresses the integrated nature of aircraft design, airline operations and passenger demand, in order to maximize future expected profits as new aircraft are brought into service. The goal of this research is to develop an approach that utilizes aircraft design, airline network design and passenger demand as a unified framework to provide better integrated design solutions in order to maximize expexted profits of an airline. This is investigated through two approaches. The first is a static model that poses the concurrent engineering paradigm above as an investment portfolio problem. Modern financial portfolio optimization techniques are used to leverage risk of serving future projected demand using a 'yet to be introduced' aircraft against potentially generated future profits. Robust optimization methodologies are incorporated to mitigate model sensitivity and address estimation risks associated with such optimization techniques. The second extends the portfolio approach to include dynamic effects of an airline's operations. A dynamic programming approach is employed to simulate the reflexive nature of airline supply-demand interactions by modeling the aggregate changes in demand that would result from tactical allocations of aircraft to maximize profit. The best yet-to-be-introduced aircraft maximizes profit by minimizing the long term fleetwide direct operating costs.

  7. 25 CFR 900.233 - When must an Indian tribe or tribal organization regulate its employees or subcontractors to...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... its employees or subcontractors to avoid a personal conflict of interest? 900.233 Section 900.233... HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CONTRACTS UNDER THE INDIAN SELF-DETERMINATION AND EDUCATION ASSISTANCE ACT Conflicts of Interest § 900.233 When must an Indian tribe or tribal organization regulate its employees or...

  8. 25 CFR 1000.278 - Does this coverage extend to subcontractors of self-governance AFAs?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Does this coverage extend to subcontractors of self-governance AFAs? 1000.278 Section 1000.278 Indians OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY, INDIAN AFFAIRS... INDIAN SELF-DETERMINATION AND EDUCATION ACT Federal Tort Claims § 1000.278 Does this coverage extend to...

  9. 23 CFR Appendix B to Subpart B of... - Required Contract Provisions, Appalachian Development Highway System and Local Access Roads...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... result of a lawful collective bargaining contract, provided that the number of nonresident persons... contractor becomes involved in, or is threatened with litigation with a subcontractor or vendor as a result... threatened with, litigation with a subcontractor or supplier, as a result of such direction, the contractor...

  10. 23 CFR Appendix B to Subpart B of... - Required Contract Provisions, Appalachian Development Highway System and Local Access Roads...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... result of a lawful collective bargaining contract, provided that the number of nonresident persons... contractor becomes involved in, or is threatened with litigation with a subcontractor or vendor as a result... threatened with, litigation with a subcontractor or supplier, as a result of such direction, the contractor...

  11. 23 CFR Appendix B to Subpart B of... - Required Contract Provisions, Appalachian Development Highway System and Local Access Roads...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... result of a lawful collective bargaining contract, provided that the number of nonresident persons... contractor becomes involved in, or is threatened with litigation with a subcontractor or vendor as a result... threatened with, litigation with a subcontractor or supplier, as a result of such direction, the contractor...

  12. 23 CFR Appendix B to Subpart B of... - Required Contract Provisions, Appalachian Development Highway System and Local Access Roads...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... result of a lawful collective bargaining contract, provided that the number of nonresident persons... contractor becomes involved in, or is threatened with litigation with a subcontractor or vendor as a result... threatened with, litigation with a subcontractor or supplier, as a result of such direction, the contractor...

  13. 75 FR 38684 - Federal Acquisition Regulation; FAR Case 2010-008, Recovery Act Subcontract Reporting Procedures

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-07-02

    ... workforce. At a minimum, the subcontractor shall provide-- (A) A brief description of the types of jobs... description may rely on job titles, broader labor categories, or the subcontractor's existing practice for... funded awards of $25,000 or more, to report jobs information to the prime contractor for reporting into...

  14. A Prelude to Strategic Management of an Online Enterprise

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Pan, Cheng-Chang; Sivo, Stephen A.; Goldsmith, Clair

    2016-01-01

    Strategic management is expected to allow an organization to maximize given constraints and optimize limited resources in an effort to create a competitive advantage that leads to better results. For both for-profit and non-profit organizations, such strategic thinking helps the management make informed decisions and sustain long-term planning. To…

  15. 48 CFR 519.7008 - Selection of protégé firms.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS GSA Mentor-Protégé Program 519.7008 Selection of protégé firms. (a) Mentor firms will be solely responsible for selecting protégé firms. Mentors are encouraged to... subcontractor or a newly selected subcontractor for the prime contractor's GSA contract. (b) Mentor firms may...

  16. After $74-Million and Counting, Frank Gehry's Library Opens at Princeton

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Carlson, Scott

    2008-01-01

    In putting up its new, Frank Gehry-designed Lewis Library, Princeton University endured its share of challenges. It constructed models of the building to give the subcontractors a chance to practice. It fired a contractor halfway through the job when the building was past due. It learned that some subcontractors were trying to bribe their way onto…

  17. Insights from Existing Data on the DoD Industrial Base: Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing Example

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-05-01

    ELECTRIC BOAT CORP 798 SDB Air Force RAYTHEON CO 790 DDG 51 Navy HUNTINGTON INGALLS INC 694 DDG 51 Navy HUNTINGTON INGALLS INC 598 V22 Navy...Business Subcontractors SB subcontractors SB contracts SB dollars # % # % Amount % SDB , self identified 6 5 10 5 6,658,000 2 Woman Owned 17 15 37 17

  18. 48 CFR 952.226-70 - Subcontracting goals under section 3021(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... groups. Individual goals shall be expressed in terms of a percentage of the Offeror's proposed contract... performed by each of the three groups, and, if possible, the identity of the contemplated subcontractor(s... target groups, as used in this provision means— (1) An institution of higher education that meets the...

  19. 48 CFR 952.226-70 - Subcontracting goals under section 3021(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... groups. Individual goals shall be expressed in terms of a percentage of the Offeror's proposed contract... performed by each of the three groups, and, if possible, the identity of the contemplated subcontractor(s... target groups, as used in this provision means— (1) An institution of higher education that meets the...

  20. 48 CFR 952.226-70 - Subcontracting goals under section 3021(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... groups. Individual goals shall be expressed in terms of a percentage of the Offeror's proposed contract... performed by each of the three groups, and, if possible, the identity of the contemplated subcontractor(s... target groups, as used in this provision means— (1) An institution of higher education that meets the...

  1. 48 CFR 952.226-70 - Subcontracting goals under section 3021(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... groups. Individual goals shall be expressed in terms of a percentage of the Offeror's proposed contract... performed by each of the three groups, and, if possible, the identity of the contemplated subcontractor(s... target groups, as used in this provision means— (1) An institution of higher education that meets the...

  2. Searching for Contracting Patterns over Time: Do Prime Contractor and Subcontractor Relations Follow Similar Patterns for Professional Services Provision?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ponomariov, Branco; Kingsley, Gordon; Boardman, Craig

    2011-01-01

    This paper compares over a 12-year period (1) patterns of contracting between a state transportation agency and its prime contractors providing engineering design services with (2) patterns between these prime contractors and their subcontractors. We find evidence of different contracting patterns at each level that emerge over time and coexist in…

  3. Alcohol drinking behaviors and alcohol management policies under outsourcing work conditions: A qualitative study of construction workers in Taiwan.

    PubMed

    Cheng, Wan-Ju; Cheng, Yawen

    2016-02-01

    Workplace alcohol policies are crucial for workers' health and safety. The practice of outsourcing is gaining popularity around the world and was found to be associated with poorer health in the working population. This study aimed to examine how outsourcing complicates the implementation of workplace alcohol policies and affects workers' drinking behaviors. In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 outsource workers, 3 subcontractors and 3 worksite supervisors. Information regarding workers' drinking behaviors, their knowledge, and attitudes toward workplace alcohol policy were analyzed using a qualitative thematic analysis. Factors associated with poor workplace alcohol management included smaller size and private ownership of outsourcers, subcontractors' own drinking behavior and positive attitude to alcohol, and precarious employment conditions of outsourcing workers. The multilateral relationship between outsourcers, subcontractors, and workers complicated and impaired the implementation of workplace alcohol policies. The implementation of workplace alcohol management policies was hampered in outsourcing work conditions due to poor coordination of supervisors in the subcontract chain. The enforcement of alcohol policies in the workplace should be strengthened by consolidating management responsibilities of outsourcers and subcontractors. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. Quality assurance and control in the production and static tests of the solid rocket boosters for the Space Shuttle

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cerny, O. F.

    1979-01-01

    The paper surveys the various aspects of design and overhaul of the solid rocket boosters. It is noted that quality control is an integral part of the design specifications. Attention is given to the production process which is optimized towards highest quality. Also discussed is the role of the DCA (Defense Contract Administration) in inspecting the products of subcontractors, noting that the USAF performs this role for prime contractors. Fabrication and construction of the booster is detailed with attention given to the lining of the booster cylinder and the mixing of the propellant and the subsequent X-ray inspection.

  5. Evaluation of a binary optimization approach to find the optimum locations of energy storage devices in a power grid with stochastically varying loads and wind generation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dar, Zamiyad

    The prices in the electricity market change every five minutes. The prices in peak demand hours can be four or five times more than the prices in normal off peak hours. Renewable energy such as wind power has zero marginal cost and a large percentage of wind energy in a power grid can reduce the price significantly. The variability of wind power prevents it from being constantly available in peak hours. The price differentials between off-peak and on-peak hours due to wind power variations provide an opportunity for a storage device owner to buy energy at a low price and sell it in high price hours. In a large and complex power grid, there are many locations for installation of a storage device. Storage device owners prefer to install their device at locations that allow them to maximize profit. Market participants do not possess much information about the system operator's dispatch, power grid, competing generators and transmission system. The publicly available data from the system operator usually consists of Locational Marginal Prices (LMP), load, reserve prices and regulation prices. In this thesis, we develop a method to find the optimum location of a storage device without using the grid, transmission or generator data. We formulate and solve an optimization problem to find the most profitable location for a storage device using only the publicly available market pricing data such as LMPs, and reserve prices. We consider constraints arising due to storage device operation limitations in our objective function. We use binary optimization and branch and bound method to optimize the operation of a storage device at a given location to earn maximum profit. We use two different versions of our method and optimize the profitability of a storage unit at each location in a 36 bus model of north eastern United States and south eastern Canada for four representative days representing four seasons in a year. Finally, we compare our results from the two versions of our method with a multi period stochastically optimized economic dispatch of the same power system with storage device at locations proposed by our method. We observe a small gap in profit values arising due to the effect of storage device on market prices. However, we observe that the ranking of different locations in terms of profitability remains almost unchanged. This leads us to conclude that our method can successfully predict the optimum locations for installation of storage units in a complex grid using only the publicly available electricity market data.

  6. DISPAQ: Distributed Profitable-Area Query from Big Taxi Trip Data.

    PubMed

    Putri, Fadhilah Kurnia; Song, Giltae; Kwon, Joonho; Rao, Praveen

    2017-09-25

    One of the crucial problems for taxi drivers is to efficiently locate passengers in order to increase profits. The rapid advancement and ubiquitous penetration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology into transportation industries enables us to provide taxi drivers with locations that have more potential passengers (more profitable areas) by analyzing and querying taxi trip data. In this paper, we propose a query processing system, called Distributed Profitable-Area Query ( DISPAQ ) which efficiently identifies profitable areas by exploiting the Apache Software Foundation's Spark framework and a MongoDB database. DISPAQ first maintains a profitable-area query index (PQ-index) by extracting area summaries and route summaries from raw taxi trip data. It then identifies candidate profitable areas by searching the PQ-index during query processing. Then, it exploits a Z-Skyline algorithm, which is an extension of skyline processing with a Z-order space filling curve, to quickly refine the candidate profitable areas. To improve the performance of distributed query processing, we also propose local Z-Skyline optimization, which reduces the number of dominant tests by distributing killer profitable areas to each cluster node. Through extensive evaluation with real datasets, we demonstrate that our DISPAQ system provides a scalable and efficient solution for processing profitable-area queries from huge amounts of big taxi trip data.

  7. DISPAQ: Distributed Profitable-Area Query from Big Taxi Trip Data †

    PubMed Central

    Putri, Fadhilah Kurnia; Song, Giltae; Rao, Praveen

    2017-01-01

    One of the crucial problems for taxi drivers is to efficiently locate passengers in order to increase profits. The rapid advancement and ubiquitous penetration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology into transportation industries enables us to provide taxi drivers with locations that have more potential passengers (more profitable areas) by analyzing and querying taxi trip data. In this paper, we propose a query processing system, called Distributed Profitable-Area Query (DISPAQ) which efficiently identifies profitable areas by exploiting the Apache Software Foundation’s Spark framework and a MongoDB database. DISPAQ first maintains a profitable-area query index (PQ-index) by extracting area summaries and route summaries from raw taxi trip data. It then identifies candidate profitable areas by searching the PQ-index during query processing. Then, it exploits a Z-Skyline algorithm, which is an extension of skyline processing with a Z-order space filling curve, to quickly refine the candidate profitable areas. To improve the performance of distributed query processing, we also propose local Z-Skyline optimization, which reduces the number of dominant tests by distributing killer profitable areas to each cluster node. Through extensive evaluation with real datasets, we demonstrate that our DISPAQ system provides a scalable and efficient solution for processing profitable-area queries from huge amounts of big taxi trip data. PMID:28946679

  8. Course Presentation of the Joint-Products Problem with Costs Associated with Dumping

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Borland, Melvin V.; Howsen, Roy M.

    2009-01-01

    The typical profit-maximization solution for the joint-production problem found in intermediate texts, managerial texts, and other texts concerned with optimal pricing is oversimplified and inconsistent with profit maximization, unless there is either no excess of any of the joint products or no costs associated with dumping. However, it is an…

  9. Derivative Trade Optimizing Model Utilizing GP Based on Behavioral Finance Theory

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Matsumura, Koki; Kawamoto, Masaru

    This paper proposed a new technique which makes the strategy trees for the derivative (option) trading investment decision based on the behavioral finance theory and optimizes it using evolutionary computation, in order to achieve high profitability. The strategy tree uses a technical analysis based on a statistical, experienced technique for the investment decision. The trading model is represented by various technical indexes, and the strategy tree is optimized by the genetic programming(GP) which is one of the evolutionary computations. Moreover, this paper proposed a method using the prospect theory based on the behavioral finance theory to set psychological bias for profit and deficit and attempted to select the appropriate strike price of option for the higher investment efficiency. As a result, this technique produced a good result and found the effectiveness of this trading model by the optimized dealings strategy.

  10. New algorithms for optimal reduction of technical risks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Todinov, M. T.

    2013-06-01

    The article features exact algorithms for reduction of technical risk by (1) optimal allocation of resources in the case where the total potential loss from several sources of risk is a sum of the potential losses from the individual sources; (2) optimal allocation of resources to achieve a maximum reduction of system failure; and (3) making an optimal choice among competing risky prospects. The article demonstrates that the number of activities in a risky prospect is a key consideration in selecting the risky prospect. As a result, the maximum expected profit criterion, widely used for making risk decisions, is fundamentally flawed, because it does not consider the impact of the number of risk-reward activities in the risky prospects. A popular view, that if a single risk-reward bet with positive expected profit is unacceptable then a sequence of such identical risk-reward bets is also unacceptable, has been analysed and proved incorrect.

  11. Integration of Occupational Safety to Contractors` or Subcontractors` Performance Evaluation in Construction Projects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kozlovská, Mária; Struková, Zuzana

    2013-06-01

    Several factors should be considered by the owner and general contractor in the process of contractors` and subcontractors` selection and evaluation. The paper reviews the recent models addressed to guide general contractors in subcontractors' selection process and in evaluation of different contractors during the execution of the project. Moreover the paper suggests the impact of different contractors' performance to the overall level of occupational health and safety culture at the sites. It deals with the factors influencing the safety performance of contractors during construction and analyses the methods for assessing the safety performance of construction contractors. The results of contractors' safety performance evaluation could be a useful tool in motivating contractors to achieve better safety outcomes or could have effect on owners` or general contractors' decision making about contractors suitability for future contracting works.

  12. Determination of optimum values for maximizing the profit in bread production: Daily bakery Sdn Bhd

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Muda, Nora; Sim, Raymond

    2015-02-01

    An integer programming problem is a mathematical optimization or feasibility program in which some or all of the variables are restricted to be integers. In many settings the term refers to integer linear programming (ILP), in which the objective function and the constraints (other than the integer constraints) are linear. An ILP has many applications in industrial production, including job-shop modelling. A possible objective is to maximize the total production, without exceeding the available resources. In some cases, this can be expressed in terms of a linear program, but variables must be constrained to be integer. It concerned with the optimization of a linear function while satisfying a set of linear equality and inequality constraints and restrictions. It has been used to solve optimization problem in many industries area such as banking, nutrition, agriculture, and bakery and so on. The main purpose of this study is to formulate the best combination of all ingredients in producing different type of bread in Daily Bakery in order to gain maximum profit. This study also focuses on the sensitivity analysis due to changing of the profit and the cost of each ingredient. The optimum result obtained from QM software is RM 65,377.29 per day. This study will be benefited for Daily Bakery and also other similar industries. By formulating a combination of all ingredients make up, they can easily know their total profit in producing bread everyday.

  13. A simple technique to increase profits in wood products marketing

    Treesearch

    George B. Harpole

    1971-01-01

    Mathematical models can be used to solve quickly some simple day-to-day marketing problems. This note explains how a sawmill production manager, who has an essentially fixed-capacity mill, can solve several optimization problems by using pencil and paper, a forecast of market prices, and a simple algorithm. One such problem is to maximize profits in an operating period...

  14. Research on Coordination of Fresh Produce Supply Chain in Big Market Sales Environment

    PubMed Central

    Su, Juning; Liu, Chenguang

    2014-01-01

    In this paper, we propose two decision models for decentralized and centralized fresh produce supply chains with stochastic supply and demand and controllable transportation time. The optimal order quantity and the optimal transportation time in these two supply chain systems are derived. To improve profits in a decentralized supply chain, based on analyzing the risk taken by each participant in the supply chain, we design a set of contracts which can coordinate this type of fresh produce supply chain with stochastic supply and stochastic demand, and controllable transportation time as well. We also obtain a value range of contract parameters that can increase profits of all participants in the decentralized supply chain. The expected profits of the decentralized setting and the centralized setting are compared with respect to given numerical examples. Furthermore, the sensitivity analyses of the deterioration rate factor and the freshness factor are performed. The results of numerical examples show that the transportation time is shorter, the order quantity is smaller, the total profit of whole supply chain is less, and the possibility of cooperation between supplier and retailer is higher for the fresh produce which is more perishable and its quality decays more quickly. PMID:24764770

  15. Research on coordination of fresh produce supply chain in big market sales environment.

    PubMed

    Su, Juning; Wu, Jiebing; Liu, Chenguang

    2014-01-01

    In this paper, we propose two decision models for decentralized and centralized fresh produce supply chains with stochastic supply and demand and controllable transportation time. The optimal order quantity and the optimal transportation time in these two supply chain systems are derived. To improve profits in a decentralized supply chain, based on analyzing the risk taken by each participant in the supply chain, we design a set of contracts which can coordinate this type of fresh produce supply chain with stochastic supply and stochastic demand, and controllable transportation time as well. We also obtain a value range of contract parameters that can increase profits of all participants in the decentralized supply chain. The expected profits of the decentralized setting and the centralized setting are compared with respect to given numerical examples. Furthermore, the sensitivity analyses of the deterioration rate factor and the freshness factor are performed. The results of numerical examples show that the transportation time is shorter, the order quantity is smaller, the total profit of whole supply chain is less, and the possibility of cooperation between supplier and retailer is higher for the fresh produce which is more perishable and its quality decays more quickly.

  16. Optimal production lot size and reorder point of a two-stage supply chain while random demand is sensitive with sales teams' initiatives

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sankar Sana, Shib

    2016-01-01

    The paper develops a production-inventory model of a two-stage supply chain consisting of one manufacturer and one retailer to study production lot size/order quantity, reorder point sales teams' initiatives where demand of the end customers is dependent on random variable and sales teams' initiatives simultaneously. The manufacturer produces the order quantity of the retailer at one lot in which the procurement cost per unit quantity follows a realistic convex function of production lot size. In the chain, the cost of sales team's initiatives/promotion efforts and wholesale price of the manufacturer are negotiated at the points such that their optimum profits reached nearer to their target profits. This study suggests to the management of firms to determine the optimal order quantity/production quantity, reorder point and sales teams' initiatives/promotional effort in order to achieve their maximum profits. An analytical method is applied to determine the optimal values of the decision variables. Finally, numerical examples with its graphical presentation and sensitivity analysis of the key parameters are presented to illustrate more insights of the model.

  17. The Retrofit Puzzle Extended: Optimal Fleet Owner Behavior over Multiple Time Periods

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2009-08-04

    In "The Retrofit Puzzle: Optimal Fleet Owner Behavior in the Context of Diesel Retrofit Incentive Programs" (1) an integer program was developed to model profit-maximizing diesel fleet owner behavior when selecting pollution reduction retrofits. Flee...

  18. The Army Needs to Recoup Funds Expended on Property Damaged in an Accident at a Development Subcontractor’s Facility (Redacted)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-05-24

    liability for the JLENS prope1iy damaged in an accident at a subcontractor’s facility. The accident occmTed when high winds caused an Airship ...modernization proponent for space, high - altitude and global missile defense, is the Almy operational integrator for global missile defense, and conducts...Alexandria, VA 22350-1500 Acronyms and Abbreviations AMS Airship Management Services DCMA Defense Contract

  19. Optimization benefits analysis in production process of fabrication components

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Prasetyani, R.; Rafsanjani, A. Y.; Rimantho, D.

    2017-12-01

    The determination of an optimal number of product combinations is important. The main problem at part and service department in PT. United Tractors Pandu Engineering (shortened to PT.UTPE) Is the optimization of the combination of fabrication component products (known as Liner Plate) which influence to the profit that will be obtained by the company. Liner Plate is a fabrication component that serves as a protector of core structure for heavy duty attachment, such as HD Vessel, HD Bucket, HD Shovel, and HD Blade. The graph of liner plate sales from January to December 2016 has fluctuated and there is no direct conclusion about the optimization of production of such fabrication components. The optimal product combination can be achieved by calculating and plotting the amount of production output and input appropriately. The method that used in this study is linear programming methods with primal, dual, and sensitivity analysis using QM software for Windows to obtain optimal fabrication components. In the optimal combination of components, PT. UTPE provide the profit increase of Rp. 105,285,000.00 for a total of Rp. 3,046,525,000.00 per month and the production of a total combination of 71 units per unit variance per month.

  20. Using Cotton Model Simulations to Estimate Optimally Profitable Irrigation Strategies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mauget, S. A.; Leiker, G.; Sapkota, P.; Johnson, J.; Maas, S.

    2011-12-01

    In recent decades irrigation pumping from the Ogallala Aquifer has led to declines in saturated thickness that have not been compensated for by natural recharge, which has led to questions about the long-term viability of agriculture in the cotton producing areas of west Texas. Adopting irrigation management strategies that optimize profitability while reducing irrigation waste is one way of conserving the aquifer's water resource. Here, a database of modeled cotton yields generated under drip and center pivot irrigated and dryland production scenarios is used in a stochastic dominance analysis that identifies such strategies under varying commodity price and pumping cost conditions. This database and analysis approach will serve as the foundation for a web-based decision support tool that will help producers identify optimal irrigation treatments under specified cotton price, electricity cost, and depth to water table conditions.

  1. Optimization of EB plant by constraint control

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Hummel, H.K.; de Wit, G.B.C.; Maarleveld, A.

    1991-03-01

    Optimum plant operation can often be achieved by means of constraint control instead of model- based on-line optimization. This is because optimum operation is seldom at the top of the hill but usually at the intersection of constraints. This article describes the development of a constraint control system for a plant producing ethylbenzene (EB) by the Mobil/Badger Ethylbenzene Process. Plant optimization can be defined as the maximization of a profit function describing the economics of the plant. This function contains terms with product values, feedstock prices and operational costs. Maximization of the profit function can be obtained by varying relevantmore » degrees of freedom in the plant, such as a column operating pressure or a reactor temperature. These degrees of freedom can be varied within the available operating margins of the plant.« less

  2. Optimal dynamic pricing and replenishment policy for perishable items with inventory-level-dependent demand

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lu, Lihao; Zhang, Jianxiong; Tang, Wansheng

    2016-04-01

    An inventory system for perishable items with limited replenishment capacity is introduced in this paper. The demand rate depends on the stock quantity displayed in the store as well as the sales price. With the goal to realise profit maximisation, an optimisation problem is addressed to seek for the optimal joint dynamic pricing and replenishment policy which is obtained by solving the optimisation problem with Pontryagin's maximum principle. A joint mixed policy, in which the sales price is a static decision variable and the replenishment rate remains to be a dynamic decision variable, is presented to compare with the joint dynamic policy. Numerical results demonstrate the advantages of the joint dynamic one, and further show the effects of different system parameters on the optimal joint dynamic policy and the maximal total profit.

  3. Economic benefits from food recovery at the retail stage: an application to Italian food chains.

    PubMed

    Giuseppe, Aiello; Mario, Enea; Cinzia, Muriana

    2014-07-01

    The food supply chain is affected by losses of products near to their expiry date or damaged by improper transportation or production defects. Such products are usually poorly attractive for the consumer in the target market even if they maintain their nutritional properties. On the other hand undernourished people face every day the problem of fulfilling their nutritional needs usually relying on non-profit organizations. In this field the food recovery enabling economic benefits for donors is nowadays seen as a coherent way to manage food products unsalable in the target market for various causes and thus destined to be discarded and disposed to landfill thus representing only a cost. Despite its obvious affordability the food recovery is today not always practiced because the economic benefits that could be achieved are barely known. The paper aims at presenting a deterministic mathematical model for the optimization of the supply chain composed by retailers and potential recipients that practice the food recovery, taking into account the benefits recognized to donors and the management costs of the food recovery. The model determines the optimal time to withdraw the products from the shelves as well as the quantities to be donated to the non-profit organizations and those to be sent to the livestock market maximizing the retailer profit. The results show that the optimal conditions ensuring the affordability of the food recovery strategy including the tax reliefs and cost saving for the retailers outperforms the profit achievable in absence of such a system. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Findings From Existing Data on the Department of Defense Industrial Base: Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing Example

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-04-30

    FY 2012) FSRS and FPDS data can offer information on supplier dependency. Leading purchasing textbooks (e.g., Burt, Petcavage, & Pinkerton, 2010...FSRS, may show a different level of supplier dependency. Industry Subcontractor Dependence for Large (>$100 Million) Firms (FPDS-NG, FY 2010–FY...particular goods and services these subcontractors provide could better identify what level of risk supplier failure could pose by linking them to

  5. Operation and Maintenance Manual, Melvern Lake, Marais des Cygnes River, Kansas. Appendix V. Embankment Criteria and Performance Report.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1982-08-01

    of Dam Profile and Embankment Section 0-5-1343 Right Abutment 4 Embankment Sections Conduit and Transitions 0-5-1344 5 Embankment Sections Valley and...Cook Construction Company of Jackson, Mississippi. The drilling and grouting for the grout curtain was accomplished by subcontractor, Golden Drilling... Company of Golden, Colorado. The concrete structures for outlet works and stilling basin were done by subcontractor, Bushman Construction Company of

  6. Integration of Large-Scale Optimization and Game Theory for Sustainable Water Quality Management

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tsao, J.; Li, J.; Chou, C.; Tung, C.

    2009-12-01

    Sustainable water quality management requires total mass control in pollutant discharge based on both the principles of not exceeding assimilative capacity in a river and equity among generations. The stream assimilative capacity is the carrying capacity of a river for the maximum waste load without violating the water quality standard and the spirit of total mass control is to optimize the waste load allocation in subregions. For the goal of sustainable watershed development, this study will use large-scale optimization theory to optimize the profit, and find the marginal values of loadings as reference of the fair price and then the best way to get the equilibrium by water quality trading for the whole of watershed will be found. On the other hand, game theory plays an important role to maximize both individual and entire profits. This study proves the water quality trading market is available in some situation, and also makes the whole participants get a better outcome.

  7. Long-Term Planning for Open Pits for Mining Sulphide-Oxide Ores in Order to Achieve Maximum Profit

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kržanović, Daniel; Conić, Vesna; Stevanović, Dejan; Kolonja, Božo; Vaduvesković, Jovan

    2017-12-01

    Profitable exploitation of mineralised material from the earth's crust is a complex and difficult task that depends on a comprehensive planning process. Answering the question of how to plan production depends on the geometry of the deposit, as well as the concentration, distribution, and type of minerals in it. The complex nature of mineral deposits largely determines the method of exploitation and profitability of mining operations. In addition to unit operating costs and metal prices, the optimal recovery of and achievement of maximum profit from deposits of sulphide-oxide ores also depend, to a significant extent, on the level of technological recovery achieved in the ore processing procedure. Therefore, in defining a long-term development strategy for open pits, special attention must be paid to the selection of an optimal procedure for ore processing in order to achieve the main objective: maximising the Net Present Value (NPV). The effect of using two different processes, flotation processing and hydrometallurgical methods (bioleaching acid leaching), on determining the ultimate pit is shown in the case of the Kraku Bugaresku-Cementacija sulphide-oxide ore deposit in eastern Serbia. Analysis shows that the application of hydrometallurgical methods of processing sulphide-oxide ore achieved an increase in NPV of 20.42%.

  8. A bio-economic analysis of harvest control rules for the Northeast Arctic cod fishery.

    PubMed

    Eikeset, Anne Maria; Richter, Andries P; Dankel, Dorothy J; Dunlop, Erin S; Heino, Mikko; Dieckmann, Ulf; Stenseth, Nils Chr

    2013-05-01

    Harvest control rules (HCRs) have been implemented for many fisheries worldwide. However, in most instances, those HCRs are not based on the explicit feedbacks between stock properties and economic considerations. This paper develops a bio-economic model that evaluates the HCR adopted in 2004 by the Joint Norwegian-Russian Fishery Commission to manage the world's largest cod stock, Northeast Arctic cod (NEA). The model considered here is biologically and economically detailed, and is the first to compare the performance of the stock's current HCR with that of alternative HCRs derived with optimality criteria. In particular, HCRs are optimized for economic objectives including fleet profits, economic welfare, and total yield and the emerging properties are analyzed. The performance of these optimal HCRs was compared with the currently used HCR. This paper show that the current HCR does in fact comes very close to maximizing profits. Furthermore, the results reveal that the HCR that maximizes profits is the most precautionary one among the considered HCRs. Finally, the HCR that maximizes yield leads to un-precautionary low levels of biomass. In these ways, the implementation of the HCR for NEA cod can be viewed as a success story that may provide valuable lessons for other fisheries.

  9. A bio-economic analysis of harvest control rules for the Northeast Arctic cod fishery

    PubMed Central

    Eikeset, Anne Maria; Richter, Andries P.; Dankel, Dorothy J.; Dunlop, Erin S.; Heino, Mikko; Dieckmann, Ulf; Stenseth, Nils Chr.

    2013-01-01

    Harvest control rules (HCRs) have been implemented for many fisheries worldwide. However, in most instances, those HCRs are not based on the explicit feedbacks between stock properties and economic considerations. This paper develops a bio-economic model that evaluates the HCR adopted in 2004 by the Joint Norwegian–Russian Fishery Commission to manage the world's largest cod stock, Northeast Arctic cod (NEA). The model considered here is biologically and economically detailed, and is the first to compare the performance of the stock's current HCR with that of alternative HCRs derived with optimality criteria. In particular, HCRs are optimized for economic objectives including fleet profits, economic welfare, and total yield and the emerging properties are analyzed. The performance of these optimal HCRs was compared with the currently used HCR. This paper show that the current HCR does in fact comes very close to maximizing profits. Furthermore, the results reveal that the HCR that maximizes profits is the most precautionary one among the considered HCRs. Finally, the HCR that maximizes yield leads to un-precautionary low levels of biomass. In these ways, the implementation of the HCR for NEA cod can be viewed as a success story that may provide valuable lessons for other fisheries. PMID:26525860

  10. The National Shipbuilding Research Program. Application of Industrial Engineering Techniques to Reduce Worker’s Compensation and Environmental Costs - Deliverable A

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1999-10-01

    N8-96-3 Application of Industrial Engineering Techniques to Reduce Workers ’ Compensation and Environmental Costs - Deliverable A U.S. DEPARTMENT OF...disclosed in the report. As used in the above, “Persons acting on behalf of the United States Navy” includes any employee , contractor, or subcontractor to...the contractor of the United States Navy to the extent that such employee , contractor, or subcontractor to the contractor prepares, handles, or

  11. Effectiveness of the food recovery at the retailing stage under shelf life uncertainty: An application to Italian food chains

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Muriana, Cinzia, E-mail: cinzia.muriana@unipa.it

    Highlights: • The food recovery is seen as suitable way to manage food near to its expiry date. • The variability of the products shelf life must be taken into account. • The paper addresses the mathematic modeling of the profit related to food recovery. • The optimal time to withdraw the products is determinant for food recovery. - Abstract: Food losses represent a significant issue affecting food supply chains. The possibility of recovering such products can be seen as an effective way to reduce such a phenomenon, improve supply chain performances and ameliorate the conditions of undernourished people. Themore » topic has been already investigated by a previous paper enforcing the hypothesis of deterministic and constant Shelf Life (SL) of products. However, such a model cannot be properly extended to products affected by uncertainties of the SL as it does not take into account the deterioration costs and loss of profits due to the overcoming of the SL within the cycle time. Thus the present paper presents an extension of the previous one under stochastic conditions of the food quality. Differently from the previous publication, this work represents a general model applicable to all supply chains, especially to those managing fresh products characterized by uncertain SL such as fruits and vegetables. The deterioration costs and loss of profits are included in the model and the optimal time at which to withdraw the products from the shelves as well as the quantities to be shipped at each alternative destination have been determined. A comparison of the proposed model with that reported in the previous publication has been carried out in order to underline the impact of the SL variability on the optimality conditions. The results show that the food recovery strategy in the presence of uncertainty of the food quality is rewarding, even if the optimal profit is lower than that of the deterministic case.« less

  12. Optimization Techniques for College Financial Aid Managers

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bosshardt, Donald I.; Lichtenstein, Larry; Palumbo, George; Zaporowski, Mark P.

    2010-01-01

    In the context of a theoretical model of expected profit maximization, this paper shows how historic institutional data can be used to assist enrollment managers in determining the level of financial aid for students with varying demographic and quality characteristics. Optimal tuition pricing in conjunction with empirical estimation of…

  13. Assessing drivers of export orientation in the subsea oil and gas industry.

    PubMed

    Aarstad, Jarle; Pettersen, Inger Beate; Jakobsen, Stig-Erik

    2015-01-01

    The purpose of this short study was to identify the drivers of export orientation of firms in the subsea oil and gas industry in Western Norway. As the oil fields in the North Sea are approaching a stage of maturity, gaining knowledge of these drivers is crucial. An online survey was conducted of firms operating in the subsea oil and gas industry in the region. Consistent with previous research, the data reveal that product innovation and a majority share of international ownership increase firms' export rates. The use of instrumental variables indicates that both product innovation and international ownership are causes of subsea petroleum exports. The study moreover finds that subcontractors have a lower rate of direct exports than system providers, but international ownership in particular boosts subcontractors' export rates, probably by decreasing their market dependency on regional system providers. A clear recommendation for managers and stakeholders is that they should encourage foreign investments throughout the value chain. The results of such a strategy appear to be especially positive for subcontractors.

  14. Advanced Launch System propulsion focused technology liquid methane turbopump technical implementation plan

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Csomor, A.; Nielson, C. E.

    1989-01-01

    This program will focus on the integration of all functional disciplines of the design, manufacturing, materials, fabrication and producibility to define and demonstrate a highly reliable, easily maintained, low cost liquid methane turbopump as a component for the STBE (Space Transportation Booster Engine) using the STME (main engine) oxygen turbopump. A cost model is to be developed to predict the recurring cost of production hardware and operations. A prime objective of the program is to design the liquid methane turbopump to be used in common with a LH2 turbopump optimized for the STME. Time phasing of the effort is presented and interrelationship of the tasks is defined. Major subcontractors are identified and their roles in the program are described.

  15. Maximizing the potential of cropping systems for nematode management.

    PubMed

    Noe, J P; Sasser, J N; Imbriani, J L

    1991-07-01

    Quantitative techniques were used to analyze and determine optimal potential profitability of 3-year rotations of cotton, Gossypium hirsutum cv. Coker 315, and soybean, Glycine max cv. Centennial, with increasing population densities of Hoplolaimus columbus. Data collected from naturally infested on-farm research plots were combined with economic information to construct a microcomputer spreadsheet analysis of the cropping system. Nonlinear mathematical functions were fitted to field data to represent damage functions and population dynamic curves. Maximum yield losses due to H. columbus were estimated to be 20% on cotton and 42% on soybean. Maximum at-harvest population densities were calculated to be 182/100 cm(3) soil for cotton and 149/100 cm(3) soil for soybean. Projected net incomes ranged from a $17.74/ha net loss for the soybean-cotton-soybean sequence to a net profit of $46.80/ha for the cotton-soybean-cotton sequence. The relative profitability of various rotations changed as nematode densities increased, indicating economic thresholds for recommending alternative crop sequences. The utility and power of quantitative optimization was demonstrated for comparisons of rotations under different economic assumptions and with other management alternatives.

  16. Distribution strategy of energy supply chain based on corporate social responsibility

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Song, Qiaona

    2018-02-01

    From corporate social responsibilities influence on the consumer`s preferences, applying the basic Idea of game theory, the study on tactics of profit distribution of the one-period game between manufacturer and vendor in energy supply chain,then the repetitive game results of the two partners are discussed. The results show that alliance pricing is the unique nash equilibrium of the one-period game between manufacturer and vendor,and the expect profit of both manufacturer and vendor will increase after cooperation in the range of agreed value of the profit distribution factor. It`s optimal for manufacturer and vendor to insist on alliance pricing for their long-term benefits in energy supply chain.

  17. Framework to evaluate the worth of hydraulic conductivity data for optimal groundwater resources management in ecologically sensitive areas

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Feyen, Luc; Gorelick, Steven M.

    2005-03-01

    We propose a framework that combines simulation optimization with Bayesian decision analysis to evaluate the worth of hydraulic conductivity data for optimal groundwater resources management in ecologically sensitive areas. A stochastic simulation optimization management model is employed to plan regionally distributed groundwater pumping while preserving the hydroecological balance in wetland areas. Because predictions made by an aquifer model are uncertain, groundwater supply systems operate below maximum yield. Collecting data from the groundwater system can potentially reduce predictive uncertainty and increase safe water production. The price paid for improvement in water management is the cost of collecting the additional data. Efficient data collection using Bayesian decision analysis proceeds in three stages: (1) The prior analysis determines the optimal pumping scheme and profit from water sales on the basis of known information. (2) The preposterior analysis estimates the optimal measurement locations and evaluates whether each sequential measurement will be cost-effective before it is taken. (3) The posterior analysis then revises the prior optimal pumping scheme and consequent profit, given the new information. Stochastic simulation optimization employing a multiple-realization approach is used to determine the optimal pumping scheme in each of the three stages. The cost of new data must not exceed the expected increase in benefit obtained in optimal groundwater exploitation. An example based on groundwater management practices in Florida aimed at wetland protection showed that the cost of data collection more than paid for itself by enabling a safe and reliable increase in production.

  18. Optimization of the bank's operating portfolio

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Borodachev, S. M.; Medvedev, M. A.

    2016-06-01

    The theory of efficient portfolios developed by Markowitz is used to optimize the structure of the types of financial operations of a bank (bank portfolio) in order to increase the profit and reduce the risk. The focus of this paper is to check the stability of the model to errors in the original data.

  19. Integration of fuzzy analytic hierarchy process and probabilistic dynamic programming in formulating an optimal fleet management model

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Teoh, Lay Eng; Khoo, Hooi Ling

    2013-09-01

    This study deals with two major aspects of airlines, i.e. supply and demand management. The aspect of supply focuses on the mathematical formulation of an optimal fleet management model to maximize operational profit of the airlines while the aspect of demand focuses on the incorporation of mode choice modeling as parts of the developed model. The proposed methodology is outlined in two-stage, i.e. Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process is first adopted to capture mode choice modeling in order to quantify the probability of probable phenomena (for aircraft acquisition/leasing decision). Then, an optimization model is developed as a probabilistic dynamic programming model to determine the optimal number and types of aircraft to be acquired and/or leased in order to meet stochastic demand during the planning horizon. The findings of an illustrative case study show that the proposed methodology is viable. The results demonstrate that the incorporation of mode choice modeling could affect the operational profit and fleet management decision of the airlines at varying degrees.

  20. Genetic and economic evaluation of Japanese Black (Wagyu) cattle breeding schemes.

    PubMed

    Kahi, A K; Hirooka, H

    2005-09-01

    Deterministic simulation was used to evaluate 10 breeding schemes for genetic gain and profitability and in the context of maximizing returns from investment in Japanese Black cattle breeding. A breeding objective that integrated the cow-calf and feedlot segments was considered. Ten breeding schemes that differed in the records available for use as selection criteria were defined. The schemes ranged from one that used carcass traits currently available to Japanese Black cattle breeders (Scheme 1) to one that also included linear measurements and male and female reproduction traits (Scheme 10). The latter scheme represented the highest level of performance recording. In all breeding schemes, sires were chosen from the proportion selected during the first selection stage (performance testing), modeling a two-stage selection process. The effect on genetic gain and profitability of varying test capacity and number of progeny per sire and of ultrasound scanning of live animals was examined for all breeding schemes. Breeding schemes that selected young bulls during performance testing based on additional individual traits and information on carcass traits from their relatives generated additional genetic gain and profitability. Increasing test capacity resulted in an increase in genetic gain in all schemes. Profitability was optimal in Scheme 2 (a scheme similar to Scheme 1, but selection of young bulls also was based on information on carcass traits from their relatives) to 10 when 900 to 1,000 places were available for performance testing. Similarly, as the number of progeny used in the selection of sires increased, genetic gain first increased sharply and then gradually in all schemes. Profit was optimal across all breeding schemes when sires were selected based on information from 150 to 200 progeny. Additional genetic gain and profitability were generated in each breeding scheme with ultrasound scanning of live animals for carcass traits. Ultrasound scanning of live animals was more important than the addition of any other traits in the selection criteria. These results may be used to provide guidance to Japanese Black cattle breeders.

  1. Leadership Strategies for Maintaining Profitability in a Volatile Crude Oil Market

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Braimoh, Lucky Anderson

    Volatile crude oil prices significantly affect the profitability of crude oil firms. The purpose of this single case study was to explore strategies some crude oil and gas business leaders used to remain profitable during periods of crude oil price volatility. The target population comprised 8 crude oil and gas business leaders located in Calgary, Canada, whose company remained profitable despite crude oil price volatility. The transformational leadership theory formed the conceptual framework for the study. Data were collected through the use of semistructured face-to-face interviews, company reports, and field notes. Data analysis involved a modified Van Kamm method, which included descriptive coding, a sequential review of the interview transcripts, and member checking. Based on methodological triangulation and thematic analysis, 5 themes emerged from the study, including communication and engagement; motivation and empowerment; measurement, monitoring, and control; self-awareness and humility; and efficiency and optimization. The implications for social change include the potential for crude oil and gas companies in Calgary, Canada to manage production costs, ensure earnings and profitability, and thus improve the socioeconomic well-being of Calgary indigenes through improved employment opportunities.

  2. Assessing Social – Ecological Trade-Offs to Advance Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management

    PubMed Central

    Voss, Rudi; Quaas, Martin F.; Schmidt, Jörn O.; Tahvonen, Olli; Lindegren, Martin; Möllmann, Christian

    2014-01-01

    Modern resource management faces trade-offs in the provision of various ecosystem goods and services to humanity. For fisheries management to develop into an ecosystem-based approach, the goal is not only to maximize economic profits, but to consider equally important conservation and social equity goals. We introduce such a triple-bottom line approach to the management of multi-species fisheries using the Baltic Sea as a case study. We apply a coupled ecological-economic optimization model to address the actual fisheries management challenge of trading-off the recovery of collapsed cod stocks versus the health of ecologically important forage fish populations. Management strategies based on profit maximization would rebuild the cod stock to high levels but may cause the risk of stock collapse for forage species with low market value, such as Baltic sprat (Fig. 1A). Economically efficient conservation efforts to protect sprat would be borne almost exclusively by the forage fishery as sprat fishing effort and profits would strongly be reduced. Unless compensation is paid, this would challenge equity between fishing sectors (Fig. 1B). Optimizing equity while respecting sprat biomass precautionary levels would reduce potential profits of the overall Baltic fishery, but may offer an acceptable balance between overall profits, species conservation and social equity (Fig. 1C). Our case study shows a practical example of how an ecosystem-based fisheries management will be able to offer society options to solve common conflicts between different resource uses. Adding equity considerations to the traditional trade-off between economy and ecology will greatly enhance credibility and hence compliance to management decisions, a further footstep towards healthy fish stocks and sustainable fisheries in the world ocean. PMID:25268117

  3. Industrial waste recycling strategies optimization problem: mixed integer programming model and heuristics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tang, Jiafu; Liu, Yang; Fung, Richard; Luo, Xinggang

    2008-12-01

    Manufacturers have a legal accountability to deal with industrial waste generated from their production processes in order to avoid pollution. Along with advances in waste recovery techniques, manufacturers may adopt various recycling strategies in dealing with industrial waste. With reuse strategies and technologies, byproducts or wastes will be returned to production processes in the iron and steel industry, and some waste can be recycled back to base material for reuse in other industries. This article focuses on a recovery strategies optimization problem for a typical class of industrial waste recycling process in order to maximize profit. There are multiple strategies for waste recycling available to generate multiple byproducts; these byproducts are then further transformed into several types of chemical products via different production patterns. A mixed integer programming model is developed to determine which recycling strategy and which production pattern should be selected with what quantity of chemical products corresponding to this strategy and pattern in order to yield maximum marginal profits. The sales profits of chemical products and the set-up costs of these strategies, patterns and operation costs of production are considered. A simulated annealing (SA) based heuristic algorithm is developed to solve the problem. Finally, an experiment is designed to verify the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method. By comparing a single strategy to multiple strategies in an example, it is shown that the total sales profit of chemical products can be increased by around 25% through the simultaneous use of multiple strategies. This illustrates the superiority of combinatorial multiple strategies. Furthermore, the effects of the model parameters on profit are discussed to help manufacturers organize their waste recycling network.

  4. Competitive game theoretic optimal routing in optical networks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yassine, Abdulsalam; Kabranov, Ognian; Makrakis, Dimitrios

    2002-09-01

    Optical transport service providers need control and optimization strategies for wavelength management, network provisioning, restoration and protection, allowing them to define and deploy new services and maintain competitiveness. In this paper, we investigate a game theory based model for wavelength and flow assignment in multi wavelength optical networks, consisting of several backbone long-haul optical network transport service providers (TSPs) who are offering their services -in terms of bandwidth- to Internet service providers (ISPs). The ISPs act as brokers or agents between the TSP and end user. The agent (ISP) buys services (bandwidth) from the TSP. The TSPs compete among themselves to sell their services and maintain profitability. We present a case study, demonstrating the impact of different bandwidth broker demands on the supplier's profit and the price paid by the network broker.

  5. Neoliberal Optimism: Applying Market Techniques to Global Health.

    PubMed

    Mei, Yuyang

    2017-01-01

    Global health and neoliberalism are becoming increasingly intertwined as organizations utilize markets and profit motives to solve the traditional problems of poverty and population health. I use field work conducted over 14 months in a global health technology company to explore how the promise of neoliberalism re-envisions humanitarian efforts. In this company's vaccine refrigerator project, staff members expect their investors and their market to allow them to achieve scale and develop accountability to their users in developing countries. However, the translation of neoliberal techniques to the global health sphere falls short of the ideal, as profits are meager and purchasing power remains with donor organizations. The continued optimism in market principles amidst such a non-ideal market reveals the tenacious ideological commitment to neoliberalism in these global health projects.

  6. Profit maximization, industry structure, and competition: A critique of neoclassical theory

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Keen, Steve; Standish, Russell

    2006-10-01

    Neoclassical economics has two theories of competition between profit-maximizing firms-Marshallian and Cournot-Nash-that start from different premises about the degree of strategic interaction between firms, yet reach the same result, that market price falls as the number of firms in an industry increases. The Marshallian argument is strictly false. We integrate the different premises, and establish that the optimal level of strategic interaction between competing firms is zero. Simulations support our analysis and reveal intriguing emergent behaviors.

  7. The optimal design of service level agreement in IAAS based on BDIM

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Xiaochen; Zhan, Zhiqiang

    2013-03-01

    Cloud Computing has become more and more prevalent over the past few years, and we have seen the importance of Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS). This kind of service enables scaling of bandwidth, memory, computing power and storage. But the SLA in IaaS also faces complexity and variety. Users also consider the business of the service. To meet the most users requirements, a methodology for designing optimal SLA in IaaS from the business perspectives is proposed. This method is different from the conventional SLA design method, It not only focuses on service provider perspective, also from the customer to carry on the design. This methodology better captures the linkage between service provider and service client by considering minimizing the business loss originated from performance degradation and IT infrastructure failures and maximizing profits for service provider and clients. An optimal design in an IaaS model is provided and an example are analyzed to show this approach obtain higher profit.

  8. Optimization in fractional aircraft ownership

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Septiani, R. D.; Pasaribu, H. M.; Soewono, E.; Fayalita, R. A.

    2012-05-01

    Fractional Aircraft Ownership is a new concept in flight ownership management system where each individual or corporation may own a fraction of an aircraft. In this system, the owners have privilege to schedule their flight according to their needs. Fractional management companies (FMC) manages all aspects of aircraft operations, including utilization of FMC's aircraft in combination of outsourced aircrafts. This gives the owners the right to enjoy the benefits of private aviations. However, FMC may have complicated business requirements that neither commercial airlines nor charter airlines faces. Here, optimization models are constructed to minimize the number of aircrafts in order to maximize the profit and to minimize the daily operating cost. In this paper, three kinds of demand scenarios are made to represent different flight operations from different types of fractional owners. The problems are formulated as an optimization of profit and a daily operational cost to find the optimum flight assignments satisfying the weekly and daily demand respectively from the owners. Numerical results are obtained by Genetic Algorithm method.

  9. Optimal Harvesting in an Age-Structured Predator-Prey Model

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Fister, K. Renee; Lenhart, Suzanne

    2006-06-15

    We investigate optimal harvesting control in a predator-prey model in which the prey population is represented by a first-order partial differential equation with age-structure and the predator population is represented by an ordinary differential equation in time. The controls are the proportions of the populations to be harvested, and the objective functional represents the profit from harvesting. The existence and uniqueness of the optimal control pair are established.

  10. Ideology, Economics and Reader Demand in Soviet Publishing

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Walker, G. P. M.

    1978-01-01

    Examines some of the important assumptions and disputes about publishing as an industry: demand and pricing; profit and subsidy; quality, effectiveness and "optimality"; and the power of the reader. (Author)

  11. Operation of Power Grids with High Penetration of Wind Power

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Al-Awami, Ali Taleb

    The integration of wind power into the power grid poses many challenges due to its highly uncertain nature. This dissertation involves two main components related to the operation of power grids with high penetration of wind energy: wind-thermal stochastic dispatch and wind-thermal coordinated bidding in short-term electricity markets. In the first part, a stochastic dispatch (SD) algorithm is proposed that takes into account the stochastic nature of the wind power output. The uncertainty associated with wind power output given the forecast is characterized using conditional probability density functions (CPDF). Several functions are examined to characterize wind uncertainty including Beta, Weibull, Extreme Value, Generalized Extreme Value, and Mixed Gaussian distributions. The unique characteristics of the Mixed Gaussian distribution are then utilized to facilitate the speed of convergence of the SD algorithm. A case study is carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. Then, the SD algorithm is extended to simultaneously optimize the system operating costs and emissions. A modified multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm is suggested to identify the Pareto-optimal solutions defined by the two conflicting objectives. A sensitivity analysis is carried out to study the effect of changing load level and imbalance cost factors on the Pareto front. In the second part of this dissertation, coordinated trading of wind and thermal energy is proposed to mitigate risks due to those uncertainties. The problem of wind-thermal coordinated trading is formulated as a mixed-integer stochastic linear program. The objective is to obtain the optimal tradeoff bidding strategy that maximizes the total expected profits while controlling trading risks. For risk control, a weighted term of the conditional value at risk (CVaR) is included in the objective function. The CVaR aims to maximize the expected profits of the least profitable scenarios, thus improving trading risk control. A case study comparing coordinated with uncoordinated bidding strategies depending on the trader's risk attitude is included. Simulation results show that coordinated bidding can improve the expected profits while significantly improving the CVaR.

  12. Joint pricing, inventory, and preservation decisions for deteriorating items with stochastic demand and promotional efforts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Soni, Hardik N.; Chauhan, Ashaba D.

    2018-03-01

    This study models a joint pricing, inventory, and preservation decision-making problem for deteriorating items subject to stochastic demand and promotional effort. The generalized price-dependent stochastic demand, time proportional deterioration, and partial backlogging rates are used to model the inventory system. The objective is to find the optimal pricing, replenishment, and preservation technology investment strategies while maximizing the total profit per unit time. Based on the partial backlogging and lost sale cases, we first deduce the criterion for optimal replenishment schedules for any given price and technology investment cost. Second, we show that, respectively, total profit per time unit is concave function of price and preservation technology cost. At the end, some numerical examples and the results of a sensitivity analysis are used to illustrate the features of the proposed model.

  13. Dynamic Allocation of SPM Based on Time-Slotted Cache Conflict Graph for System Optimization

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, Jianping; Ling, Ming; Zhang, Yang; Mei, Chen; Wang, Huan

    This paper proposes a novel dynamic Scratch-pad Memory allocation strategy to optimize the energy consumption of the memory sub-system. Firstly, the whole program execution process is sliced into several time slots according to the temporal dimension; thereafter, a Time-Slotted Cache Conflict Graph (TSCCG) is introduced to model the behavior of Data Cache (D-Cache) conflicts within each time slot. Then, Integer Nonlinear Programming (INP) is implemented, which can avoid time-consuming linearization process, to select the most profitable data pages. Virtual Memory System (VMS) is adopted to remap those data pages, which will cause severe Cache conflicts within a time slot, to SPM. In order to minimize the swapping overhead of dynamic SPM allocation, a novel SPM controller with a tightly coupled DMA is introduced to issue the swapping operations without CPU's intervention. Last but not the least, this paper discusses the fluctuation of system energy profit based on different MMU page size as well as the Time Slot duration quantitatively. According to our design space exploration, the proposed method can optimize all of the data segments, including global data, heap and stack data in general, and reduce the total energy consumption by 27.28% on average, up to 55.22% with a marginal performance promotion. And comparing to the conventional static CCG (Cache Conflicts Graph), our approach can obtain 24.7% energy profit on average, up to 30.5% with a sight boost in performance.

  14. Market Intelligence Guide

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-01-05

    learn about the latest designs , trends in fashion, and scientific breakthroughs in chair ergonomics . Using this tradeshow, the Furnishings Commodity...these tools is essential to designing the optimal contract that reaps the most value from the exchange. Therefore, this market intelligence guide is...portfolio matrix) that are transferrable to the not-for-profit sector are absent. Each of these tools is essential to designing the optimal contract that

  15. Optimal harvesting policy of predator-prey model with free fishing and reserve zones

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Toaha, Syamsuddin; Rustam

    2017-03-01

    The present paper deals with an optimal harvesting of predator-prey model in an ecosystem that consists of two zones, namely the free fishing and prohibited zones. The dynamics of prey population in the ecosystem can migrate from the free fishing to the prohibited zone and vice versa. The predator and prey populations in the free fishing zone are then harvested with constant efforts. The existence of the interior equilibrium point is analyzed and its stability is determined using Routh-Hurwitz stability test. The stable interior equilibrium point is then related to the problem of maximum profit and the problem of present value of net revenue. We follow the Pontryagin's maximal principle to get the optimal harvesting policy of the present value of the net revenue. From the analysis, we found a critical point of the efforts that makes maximum profit. There also exists certain conditions of the efforts that makes the present value of net revenue becomes maximal. In addition, the interior equilibrium point is locally asymptotically stable which means that the optimal harvesting is reached and the unharvested prey, harvested prey, and harvested predator populations remain sustainable. Numerical examples are given to verify the analytical results.

  16. A Bidding Methodology by Nash Equilibrium for Finite Generators Participating in Imperfect Electricity Markets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Satyaramesh, P. V.

    2014-01-01

    This paper presents an application of finite n-person non-cooperative game theory for analyzing bidding strategies of generators in a deregulated energy marketplace with Pool Bilateral contracts so as to maximize their net profits. A new methodology to build bidding methodology for generators participating in oligopoly electricity market has been proposed in this paper. It is assumed that each generator bids a supply function. This methodology finds out the coefficients in the supply function of generators in order to maximize benefits in an environment of competing rival bidders. A natural choice for developing strategies is Nash Equilibrium (NE) model incorporating mixed strategies, for solving the bidding problem of electrical market. Associated optimal profits are evaluated for a combination of set of pure strategies of bidding of generators, and payoff matrix has been constructed. The optimal payoff is calculated by using NE. An attempt has also been made to minimize the gap between the optimal payoff and the payoff obtained by a possible mixed strategies combination. The algorithm is coded in MATLAB. A numerical example is used to illustrate the essential features of the approach and the results are proved to be the optimal values.

  17. A parallel optimization method for product configuration and supplier selection based on interval

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zheng, Jian; Zhang, Meng; Li, Guoxi

    2017-06-01

    In the process of design and manufacturing, product configuration is an important way of product development, and supplier selection is an essential component of supply chain management. To reduce the risk of procurement and maximize the profits of enterprises, this study proposes to combine the product configuration and supplier selection, and express the multiple uncertainties as interval numbers. An integrated optimization model of interval product configuration and supplier selection was established, and NSGA-II was put forward to locate the Pareto-optimal solutions to the interval multiobjective optimization model.

  18. Forecasting Electricity Prices in an Optimization Hydrothermal Problem

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Matías, J. M.; Bayón, L.; Suárez, P.; Argüelles, A.; Taboada, J.

    2007-12-01

    This paper presents an economic dispatch algorithm in a hydrothermal system within the framework of a competitive and deregulated electricity market. The optimization problem of one firm is described, whose objective function can be defined as its profit maximization. Since next-day price forecasting is an aspect crucial, this paper proposes an efficient yet highly accurate next-day price new forecasting method using a functional time series approach trying to exploit the daily seasonal structure of the series of prices. For the optimization problem, an optimal control technique is applied and Pontryagin's theorem is employed.

  19. Optimization of a genomic breeding program for a moderately sized dairy cattle population.

    PubMed

    Reiner-Benaim, A; Ezra, E; Weller, J I

    2017-04-01

    Although it now standard practice to genotype thousands of female calves, genotyping of bull calves is generally limited to progeny of elite cows. In addition to genotyping costs, increasing the pool of candidate sires requires purchase, isolation, and identification of calves until selection decisions are made. We economically optimized via simulation a genomic breeding program for a population of approximately 120,000 milk-recorded cows, corresponding to the Israeli Holstein population. All 30,000 heifers and 60,000 older cows of parities 1 to 3 were potential bull dams. Animals were assumed to have genetic evaluations for a trait with heritability of 0.25 derived by an animal model evaluation of the population. Only bull calves were assumed to be genotyped. A pseudo-phenotype corresponding to each animal's genetic evaluation was generated, consisting of the animal's genetic value plus a residual with variance set to obtain the assumed reliability for each group of animals. Between 4 and 15 bulls and between 200 and 27,000 cows with the highest pseudo-phenotypes were selected as candidate bull parents. For all progeny of the founder animals, genetic values were simulated as the mean of the parental values plus a Mendelian sampling effect with variance of 0.5. A probability of 0.3 for a healthy bull calf per mating, and a genomic reliability of 0.43 were assumed. The 40 bull calves with the highest genomic evaluations were selected for general service for 1 yr. Costs included genotyping of candidate bulls and their dams, purchase of the calves from the farmers, and identification. Costs of raising culled calves were partially recovered by resale for beef. Annual costs were estimated as $10,922 + $305 × candidate bulls. Nominal profit per cow per genetic standard deviation was $106. Economic optimum with a discount rate of 5%, first returns after 4 yr, and a profit horizon of 15 yr were obtained with genotyping 1,620 to 1,750 calves for all numbers of bull sires. However, 95% of the optimal profit can be achieved with only 240 to 300 calves. The higher reliabilities achieved through addition of genomic information to the selection process contribute not only in obtaining higher genetic gain, but also in obtaining higher absolute profits. In addition, the optimal profits are obtained for a lower number of calves born in each generation. Inbreeding, as allowed within genomic selection for the Israeli herd, had virtually no effect on genetic gain or on profits, when compared with the case of exclusion of all matings that generate inbreeding. Annual response to selection ranged from 0.35 to 0.4 genetic standard deviation for 4 to 15 bull sires, as compared with 0.25 to 0.3 for a comparable half-sib design without genomic selection. Copyright © 2017 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. Estimating economic thresholds for pest control: an alternative procedure.

    PubMed

    Ramirez, O A; Saunders, J L

    1999-04-01

    An alternative methodology to determine profit maximizing economic thresholds is developed and illustrated. An optimization problem based on the main biological and economic relations involved in determining a profit maximizing economic threshold is first advanced. From it, a more manageable model of 2 nonsimultaneous reduced-from equations is derived, which represents a simpler but conceptually and statistically sound alternative. The model recognizes that yields and pest control costs are a function of the economic threshold used. Higher (less strict) economic thresholds can result in lower yields and, therefore, a lower gross income from the sale of the product, but could also be less costly to maintain. The highest possible profits will be obtained by using the economic threshold that results in a maximum difference between gross income and pest control cost functions.

  1. Construction safety program for the National Ignition Facility, July 30, 1999 (NIF-0001374-OC)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Benjamin, D W

    1999-07-30

    These rules apply to all LLNL employees, non-LLNL employees (including contract labor, supplemental labor, vendors, personnel matrixed/assigned from other National Laboratories, participating guests, visitors and students) and contractors/subcontractors. The General Rules-Code of Safe Practices shall be used by management to promote accident prevention through indoctrination, safety and health training and on-the-job application. As a condition for contracts award, all contractors and subcontractors and their employees must certify on Form S and H A-l that they have read and understand, or have been briefed and understand, the National Ignition Facility OCIP Project General Rules-Code of Safe Practices. (An interpreter must briefmore » those employees who do not speak or read English fluently.) In addition, all contractors and subcontractors shall adopt a written General Rules-Code of Safe Practices that relates to their operations. The General Rules-Code of Safe Practices must be posted at a conspicuous location at the job site office or be provided to each supervisory employee who shall have it readily available. Copies of the General Rules-Code of Safe Practices can also be included in employee safety pamphlets.« less

  2. Suboptimal and optimal order policies for fixed and varying replenishment interval with declining market

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yu, Jonas C. P.; Wee, H. M.; Yang, P. C.; Wu, Simon

    2016-06-01

    One of the supply chain risks for hi-tech products is the result of rapid technological innovation; it results in a significant decline in the selling price and demand after the initial launch period. Hi-tech products include computers and communication consumer's products. From a practical standpoint, a more realistic replenishment policy is needed to consider the impact of risks; especially when some portions of shortages are lost. In this paper, suboptimal and optimal order policies with partial backordering are developed for a buyer when the component cost, the selling price, and the demand rate decline at a continuous rate. Two mathematical models are derived and discussed: one model has the suboptimal solution with the fixed replenishment interval and a simpler computational process; the other one has the optimal solution with the varying replenishment interval and a more complicated computational process. The second model results in more profit. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the two replenishment models. Sensitivity analysis is carried out to investigate the relationship between the parameters and the net profit.

  3. Assessing the economics of processing end-of-life vehicles through manual dismantling.

    PubMed

    Tian, Jin; Chen, Ming

    2016-10-01

    Most dismantling enterprises in a number of developing countries, such as China, usually adopt the "manual+mechanical" dismantling approach to process end-of-life vehicles. However, the automobile industry does not have a clear indicator to reasonably and effectively determine the manual dismantling degree for end-of-life vehicles. In this study, five different dismantling scenarios and an economic system for end-of-life vehicles were developed based on the actual situation of end-of-life vehicles. The fuzzy analytic hierarchy process was applied to set the weights of direct costs, indirect costs, and sales and to obtain an optimal manual dismantling scenario. Results showed that although the traditional method of "dismantling to the end" can guarantee the highest recycling rate, this method is not the best among all the scenarios. The profit gained in the optimal scenario is 100.6% higher than that in the traditional scenario. The optimal manual dismantling scenario showed that enterprises are required to select suitable parts to process through manual dismantling. Selecting suitable parts maximizes economic profit and improves dismantling speed. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Innovating for cash.

    PubMed

    Andrew, James P; Sirkin, Harold L

    2003-09-01

    Despite companies' almost fanatical worship of innovation, most new products don't generate money. That's because executives don't realize that the approach they take to commercializing a new product is as important as the innovation itself. Different approaches can generate very different levels of profit. Companies tend to favor one of three different innovation approaches, each with its own investment profile, profitability pattern, risk profile, and skill requirements. Most organizations are instinctively integrators: They manage all the steps needed to take a product to market themselves. Organizations can also choose to be orchestrators: They focus on some parts of the commercialization process and depend on partners to manage the rest. And finally, companies can be licensers: They sell or license a new product or idea to another organization that handles the commercialization process. Different innovations require different approaches. Selecting the most suitable approach, the authors' research found, often yields two or three times the profits of the least optimal approach. Yet companies tend to rely only on the mode most familiar to them. Executives would do better to take several different factors into account before deciding which tack to take, including the industry they're trying to enter, the specific characteristics of the innovation, and the risks involved in taking the product to market. By doing so, companies can match the approach to the opportunity and reap the maximum profit. Choosing the wrong approach, like Polaroid did, for example, can lead to the failure of both the product and the company. Optimizing their approaches, as Whirlpool has done, helps ensure that companies' innovations make money.

  5. Optimal foraging on the roof of the world: Himalayan langurs and the classical prey model

    PubMed Central

    Sayers, Ken; Norconk, Marilyn A.; Conklin-Brittain, Nancy L.

    2009-01-01

    Optimal foraging theory has only been sporadically applied to nonhuman primates. The classical prey model, modified for patch choice, predicts a sliding “profitability threshold” for dropping patch types from the diet, preference for profitable foods, dietary niche breadth reduction as encounter rates increase, and that exploitation of a patch type is unrelated to its own abundance. We present results from a one-year study testing these predictions with Himalayan langurs (Semnopithecus entellus) at Langtang National Park, Nepal. Behavioral data included continuous recording of feeding bouts and between-patch travel times. Encounter rates were estimated for 55 food types, which were analyzed for crude protein, lipid, free simple sugar, and fibers. Patch types were entered into the prey model algorithm for eight seasonal time periods and differing age-sex classes and nutritional currencies. Although the model consistently underestimated diet breadth, the majority of non-predicted patch types represented rare foods. Profitability was positively related to annual/seasonal dietary contribution by organic matter estimates, while time estimates provided weaker relationships. Patch types utilized did not decrease with increasing encounter rates involving profitable foods, although low-ranking foods available year-round were taken predominantly when high-ranking foods were scarce. High-ranking foods were taken in close relation to encounter rates, while low-ranking foods were not. The utilization of an energetic currency generally resulted in closest conformation to model predictions, and it performed best when assumptions were most closely approximated. These results suggest that even simple models from foraging theory can provide a useful framework for the study of primate feeding behavior. PMID:19844998

  6. Deterring Online Advertising Fraud through Optimal Payment in Arrears

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Edelman, Benjamin

    Online advertisers face substantial difficulty in selecting and supervising small advertising partners: Fraud can be well-hidden, and limited reputation systems reduce accountability. But partners are not paid until after their work is complete, and advertisers can extend this delay both to improve detection of improper partner practices and to punish partners who turn out to be rule-breakers. I capture these relationships in a screening model with delayed payments and probabilistic delayed observation of agents’ types. I derive conditions in which an advertising principal can set its payment delay to deter rogue agents and to attract solely or primarily good-type agents. Through the savings from excluding rogue agents, the principal can increase its profits while offering increased payments to good-type agents. I estimate that a leading affiliate network could have invoked an optimal payment delay to eliminate 71% of fraud without decreasing profit.

  7. Optimizing pricing and ordering strategies in a three-level supply chain under return policy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Noori-daryan, Mahsa; Taleizadeh, Ata Allah

    2018-03-01

    This paper develops an economic production quantity model in a three-echelon supply chain composing of a supplier, a manufacturer and a wholesaler under two scenarios. As the first scenario, we consider a return contract between the outside supplier and the supplier and also between the manufacturer and the wholesaler, but in the second one, the return policy between the manufacturer and the wholesaler is not applied. Here, it is assumed that shortage is permitted and demand is price-sensitive. The principal goal of the research is to maximize the total profit of the chain by optimizing the order quantity of the supplier and the selling prices of the manufacturer and the wholesaler. Nash-equilibrium approach is considered between the chain members. In the end, a numerical example is presented to clarify the applicability of the introduced model and compare the profit of the chain under two scenarios.

  8. Optimal control of a harmonic oscillator: Economic interpretations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Janová, Jitka; Hampel, David

    2013-10-01

    Optimal control is a popular technique for modelling and solving the dynamic decision problems in economics. A standard interpretation of the criteria function and Lagrange multipliers in the profit maximization problem is well known. On a particular example, we aim to a deeper understanding of the possible economic interpretations of further mathematical and solution features of the optimal control problem: we focus on the solution of the optimal control problem for harmonic oscillator serving as a model for Phillips business cycle. We discuss the economic interpretations of arising mathematical objects with respect to well known reasoning for these in other problems.

  9. Optimal dynamic pricing for deteriorating items with reference-price effects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xue, Musen; Tang, Wansheng; Zhang, Jianxiong

    2016-07-01

    In this paper, a dynamic pricing problem for deteriorating items with the consumers' reference-price effect is studied. An optimal control model is established to maximise the total profit, where the demand not only depends on the current price, but also is sensitive to the historical price. The continuous-time dynamic optimal pricing strategy with reference-price effect is obtained through solving the optimal control model on the basis of Pontryagin's maximum principle. In addition, numerical simulations and sensitivity analysis are carried out. Finally, some managerial suggestions that firm may adopt to formulate its pricing policy are proposed.

  10. Monopoly models with time-varying demand function

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cavalli, Fausto; Naimzada, Ahmad

    2018-05-01

    We study a family of monopoly models for markets characterized by time-varying demand functions, in which a boundedly rational agent chooses output levels on the basis of a gradient adjustment mechanism. After presenting the model for a generic framework, we analytically study the case of cyclically alternating demand functions. We show that both the perturbation size and the agent's reactivity to profitability variation signals can have counterintuitive roles on the resulting period-2 cycles and on their stability. In particular, increasing the perturbation size can have both a destabilizing and a stabilizing effect on the resulting dynamics. Moreover, in contrast with the case of time-constant demand functions, the agent's reactivity is not just destabilizing, but can improve stability, too. This means that a less cautious behavior can provide better performance, both with respect to stability and to achieved profits. We show that, even if the decision mechanism is very simple and is not able to always provide the optimal production decisions, achieved profits are very close to those optimal. Finally, we show that in agreement with the existing empirical literature, the price series obtained simulating the proposed model exhibit a significant deviation from normality and large volatility, in particular when underlying deterministic dynamics become unstable and complex.

  11. Single and multiple objective biomass-to-biofuel supply chain optimization considering environmental impacts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Valles Sosa, Claudia Evangelina

    Bioenergy has become an important alternative source of energy to alleviate the reliance on petroleum energy. Bioenergy offers diminishing climate change by reducing Green House Gas Emissions, as well as providing energy security and enhancing rural development. The Energy Independence and Security Act mandate the use of 21 billion gallons of advanced biofuels including 16 billion gallons of cellulosic biofuels by the year 2022. It is clear that Biomass can make a substantial contribution to supply future energy demand in a sustainable way. However, the supply of sustainable energy is one of the main challenges that mankind will face over the coming decades. For instance, many logistical challenges will be faced in order to provide an efficient and reliable supply of quality feedstock to biorefineries. 700 million tons of biomass will be required to be sustainably delivered to biorefineries annually to meet the projected use of biofuels by the year of 2022. Approaching this complex logistic problem as a multi-commodity network flow structure, the present work proposes the use of a genetic algorithm as a single objective optimization problem that considers the maximization of profit and the present work also proposes the use of a Multiple Objective Evolutionary Algorithm to simultaneously maximize profit while minimizing global warming potential. Most transportation optimization problems available in the literature have mostly considered the maximization of profit or the minimization of total travel time as potential objectives to be optimized. However, on this research work, we take a more conscious and sustainable approach for this logistic problem. Planners are increasingly expected to adopt a multi-disciplinary approach, especially due to the rising importance of environmental stewardship. The role of a transportation planner and designer is shifting from simple economic analysis to promoting sustainability through the integration of environmental objectives. To respond to these new challenges, the Modified Multiple Objective Evolutionary Algorithm for the design optimization of a biomass to bio-refinery logistic system that considers the simultaneous maximization of the total profit and the minimization of three environmental impacts is presented. Sustainability balances economic, social and environmental goals and objectives. There exist several works in the literature that have considered economic and environmental objectives for the presented supply chain problem. However, there is a lack of research performed in the social aspect of a sustainable logistics system. This work proposes a methodology to integrate social aspect assessment, based on employment creation. Finally, most of the assessment methodologies considered in the literature only contemplate deterministic values, when in realistic situations uncertainties in the supply chain are present. In this work, Value-at-Risk, an advanced risk measure commonly used in portfolio optimization is included to consider the uncertainties in biofuel prices, among the others.

  12. Death by a thousand charges

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Beuse, Martin

    2018-05-01

    Battery charging and discharging regimes mostly attempt to maximize potential profit by following price signals. Combining a technical understanding of batteries with financial theory, researchers now present a framework that allows optimization of economic benefits considering both potential revenues and battery degradation.

  13. A Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm for Optimal Operating Parameters of VMI Systems in a Two-Echelon Supply Chain

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sue-Ann, Goh; Ponnambalam, S. G.

    This paper focuses on the operational issues of a Two-echelon Single-Vendor-Multiple-Buyers Supply chain (TSVMBSC) under vendor managed inventory (VMI) mode of operation. To determine the optimal sales quantity for each buyer in TSVMBC, a mathematical model is formulated. Based on the optimal sales quantity can be obtained and the optimal sales price that will determine the optimal channel profit and contract price between the vendor and buyer. All this parameters depends upon the understanding of the revenue sharing between the vendor and buyers. A Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is proposed for this problem. Solutions obtained from PSO is compared with the best known results reported in literature.

  14. A farm-level precision land management framework based on integer programming

    PubMed Central

    Li, Qi; Hu, Guiping; Jubery, Talukder Zaki; Ganapathysubramanian, Baskar

    2017-01-01

    Farmland management involves several planning and decision making tasks including seed selection and irrigation management. A farm-level precision farmland management model based on mixed integer linear programming is proposed in this study. Optimal decisions are designed for pre-season planning of crops and irrigation water allocation. The model captures the effect of size and shape of decision scale as well as special irrigation patterns. The authors illustrate the model with a case study on a farm in the state of California in the U.S. and show the model can capture the impact of precision farm management on profitability. The results show that threefold increase of annual net profit for farmers could be achieved by carefully choosing irrigation and seed selection. Although farmers could increase profits by applying precision management to seed or irrigation alone, profit increase is more significant if farmers apply precision management on seed and irrigation simultaneously. The proposed model can also serve as a risk analysis tool for farmers facing seasonal irrigation water limits as well as a quantitative tool to explore the impact of precision agriculture. PMID:28346499

  15. Implementation of system dynamic simulation method to optimize profit in supply chain network of vegetable product

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tama, I. P.; Akbar, Z.; Eunike, A.

    2018-04-01

    Vegetables are categorized as a perishable product, which is a product with short lifespan thus requires proper handling and planning to reduce losses caused by the short lifespan. In order to reduce the losses, coordination among the players in the supply chain is required. On the other hand, the decision in the supply chain of vegetables and other farming products in the traditional market of developing country is independent among the players. This research is conducted by using System Dynamic Simulation method to develop model and scenario by coordinating the supply quantity amongst players in the supply chain. The scenarios are developed based on newsboy inventory model. This study aims to compare scenarios combining tiers involved in coordination program. The result shows that coordination in supply chain increases total supply chain profit, although there will always be players who experienced decrements in profit. The scenario of coordination among the farmer, the distributor, and the wholesaler resulted in the highest increase in total supply chain profit compared to other coordination scenarios, with an increased value of 10.49%.

  16. The Economics of an Investment in Kaizen

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Visuwan, Danupun

    2010-10-01

    Kaizen has been widely accepted as a continuous process improvement with the gradualist approach. This paper presents the research carried out to explore the pattern of an investment in Kaizen to enhance overall profit. System dynamics-based simulation has been employed with an optimization technique, a Steepest Ascent approach, to improve experimental variables e.g. the amount of spending on prevention and appraisal activities, the time and the amount to reduce the investment which results in maximum Net Present Value (NPV) of profit. The simulation model in this study is based on a Thai automobile manufacturer as a case study company. The result suggests that the investment in Kaizen should spend on activities to eliminate and detect all defects in the early phase and then reduce economically when the process is under controlled. It can be named as the `Hybrid quality improvement', which was proved in this study that it provides greater overall profit than the Stepwise Kaizen and the constant spending. This study also presents the behavior of quality costs and profit against time scale along the different patterns of the investment in Kaizen.

  17. Metrology-based control and profitability in the semiconductor industry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Weber, Charles

    2001-06-01

    This paper summarizes three studies of the semiconductor industry conducted at SEMATECH and MIT's Sloan School of Management. In conjunction they lead to the conclusion that rapid problem solving is an essential component of profitability in the semiconductor industry, and that metrology-based control is instrumental to rapid problem solving. The studies also identify the need for defect attribution. Once a source of a defect has been identified, the appropriate resources--human and technological--need to be brought into the physically optimal location for corrective action. The Internet is likely to enable effective defect attribution by inducing collaboration between different companies.

  18. FOREX Trades: Can the Takens Algorithm Help to Obtain Steady Profit at Investment Reallocations?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Petrov, V. Yu.; Tribelsky, M. I.

    2015-12-01

    We report our preliminary results of application of the Takens algorithm to build a FOREX trade strategy, resulting in a steady long-time gain for a trader. The actual historical rates for pair EUR vs. USD are used. The values of various parameters of the problem including the "stop loss" and "take profit" thresholds are optimized to provide the maximal gain during the training period. Then, these values are employed for trades. We have succeeded to get the steady gain, if the spread is neglected. It proves that the FOREX market is predictable.

  19. Forecast Inaccuracies in Power Plant Projects From Project Managers' Perspectives

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sanabria, Orlando

    Guided by organizational theory, this phenomenological study explored the factors affecting forecast preparation and inaccuracies during the construction of fossil fuel-fired power plants in the United States. Forecast inaccuracies can create financial stress and uncertain profits during the project construction phase. A combination of purposeful and snowball sampling supported the selection of participants. Twenty project managers with over 15 years of experience in power generation and project experience across the United States were interviewed within a 2-month period. From the inductive codification and descriptive analysis, 5 themes emerged: (a) project monitoring, (b) cost control, (c) management review frequency, (d) factors to achieve a precise forecast, and (e) factors causing forecast inaccuracies. The findings of the study showed the factors necessary to achieve a precise forecast includes a detailed project schedule, accurate labor cost estimates, monthly project reviews and risk assessment, and proper utilization of accounting systems to monitor costs. The primary factors reported as causing forecast inaccuracies were cost overruns by subcontractors, scope gaps, labor cost and availability of labor, and equipment and material cost. Results of this study could improve planning accuracy and the effective use of resources during construction of power plants. The study results could contribute to social change by providing a framework to project managers to lessen forecast inaccuracies, and promote construction of power plants that will generate employment opportunities and economic development.

  20. Performance Management and Optimization of Semiconductor Design Projects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hinrichs, Neele; Olbrich, Markus; Barke, Erich

    2010-06-01

    The semiconductor industry is characterized by fast technological changes and small time-to-market windows. Improving productivity is the key factor to stand up to the competitors and thus successfully persist in the market. In this paper a Performance Management System for analyzing, optimizing and evaluating chip design projects is presented. A task graph representation is used to optimize the design process regarding time, cost and workload of resources. Key Performance Indicators are defined in the main areas cost, profit, resources, process and technical output to appraise the project.

  1. Optimal rail container shipment planning problem in multimodal transportation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cao, Chengxuan; Gao, Ziyou; Li, Keping

    2012-09-01

    The optimal rail container shipment planning problem in multimodal transportation is studied in this article. The characteristics of the multi-period planning problem is presented and the problem is formulated as a large-scale 0-1 integer programming model, which maximizes the total profit generated by all freight bookings accepted in a multi-period planning horizon subject to the limited capacities. Two heuristic algorithms are proposed to obtain an approximate optimal solution of the problem. Finally, numerical experiments are conducted to demonstrate the proposed formulation and heuristic algorithms.

  2. Discussion on joint operation of wind farm and pumped-storage hydroplant

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Caifang; Wu, Yichun; Liang, Hao; Li, Miao

    2017-12-01

    Due to the random fluctuations in wind power, large amounts of grid integration will have a negative impact on grid operation and the consumers. The joint operation with pumped-storage hydroplant with good peak shaving performance can effectively reduce the negative impact on the safety and economic operation of power grid, and improve the utilization of wind power. In addition, joint operation can achieve the optimization of green power and improve the comprehensive economic benefits. Actually, the rational profit distribution of joint operation is the premise of sustainable and stable cooperation. This paper focuses on the profit distribution of joint operation, and applies improved shapely value method, which taking the investments and the contributions of each participant in the cooperation into account, to determine the profit distribution. Moreover, the distribution scheme can provide an effective reference for the actual joint operation of wind farm and pumped-storage hydroplant.

  3. Demulsification key to production efficiency

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Svetgoff, J.A.

    1988-08-01

    Concern over the declining profitability in the petroleum industry has generated renewed interest in reducing costs and enhancing profits. This article discusses one are often overlooked when trying to optimize profits, the process of demulsification. Resolving crude oil emulsions is a costly operational problem in most producing fields. Because it is one of the least understood facets of the petroleum industry, the costs associated with demulsification are often excessive. Although there are many similarities, desalting is a separate subject from demulsification. The removal of produced water from crude oil is the primary goal of demulsification, while minimizing the salt contentmore » in crude oil is the object of a desalting program. Understanding demulsification and desalting concepts is important to design engineers. The author discusses how this knowledge enables them to design systems that minimize operating costs while meeting present, as well as future, needs.« less

  4. Distortionary effects of a production-sharing fiscal system in a sequential modular offshore petroleum project

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Neves de Campos, Thiago

    This research examines the distortionary effects of a discovered and undeveloped sequential modular offshore project under five different designs for a production-sharing agreement (PSA). The model differs from previous research by looking at the effect of taxation from the perspective of a host government, where the objective is to maximize government utility over government revenue generated by the project and the non-pecuniary benefits to society. This research uses Modern Asset Pricing (MAP) theory, which is able to provide a good measure of the asset value accruing to various stakeholders in the project combined with the optimal decision rule for the development of the investment opportunity. Monte Carlo simulation was also applied to incorporate into the model the most important sources of risk associated with the project and to account for non-linearity in the cash flows. For a complete evaluation of how the fiscal system affects the project development, an investor's behavioral model was constructed, incorporating three operational decisions: investment timing, capacity size and early abandonment. The model considers four sources of uncertainty that affect the project value and the firm's optimal decision: the long run oil price and short-run deviations from that price, cost escalation and the reservoir recovery rate. The optimizations outcomes show that all fiscal systems evaluated produce distortion over the companies' optimal decisions, and companies adjust their choices to avoid taxation in different ways according to the fiscal system characteristics. Moreover, it is revealed that fiscal systems with tax provisions that try to capture additional project profits based on production profitability measures leads to stronger distortions in the project investment and output profile. It is also shown that a model based on a fixed percentage rate is the system that creates the least distortion. This is because companies will be subjected to the same government share of profit oil independently of any operational decision which they can make to change the production profile to evade taxation.

  5. Statement of Work Third Party Algorithm Development and Evaluation of Detection of Liquid Explosives in Dual-Energy Digital Radiographic/TIP Ready X-ray Images - Public Version

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Nekoogar, F; Martz, Jr., H E

    2009-09-23

    The purpose of this statement of work is for third party collaborators to train, validate and have Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS) evaluate algorithms to detect liquid threats in digital radiography (DR)/TIP Ready X-ray (TRX) images that will be provided by LLNS through the Transportation and Security Administration (TSA). LLNS will provide a set of images with threat(s) to determine detection rates and non-threat images from airports to determine false alarm rates. A key including a bounding box showing the locations of the threats and non-threats will be provided for the images. It is expected that the Subcontractor shallmore » use half of the images with their keys for training the algorithms and the other half shall be used for validation (third party evaluation) purposes. The Subcontractor shall not use the key to the second half of the data other than for the validation and reporting of the performance of its algorithm (not for training). The Subcontractor has 45 business days from the receipt of datasets and the Subcontract to: (1) Run their detection/classification algorithms on the data; (2) Deliver a final report describing their performance by generating Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curves using their algorithm; and (3) Deliver a copy of the third party's executable software (already trained and validated by the datasets) to LLNL accompanied by a user manual. LLNS will evaluate the performance of the same algorithm on another separate set of data. LLNS evaluation of the Subcontractor's algorithm will be documented in a final report within 30 days of receiving the executable code. This report will be sent to TSA and the report may be disseminated to the Subcontract at TSA's discretion.« less

  6. OPTIMIZATION OF MUD HAMMER DRILLING PERFORMANCE--A PROGRAM TO BENCHMARK THE VIABILITY OF ADVANCED MUD HAMMER DRILLING

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Arnis Judzis

    2004-04-01

    This document details the progress to date on the OPTIMIZATION OF MUD HAMMER DRILLING PERFORMANCE--A PROGRAM TO BENCHMARK THE VIABILITY OF ADVANCED MUD HAMMER DRILLING contract for the quarter starting January 2004 through March 2004. The DOE and TerraTek continue to wait for Novatek on the optimization portion of the testing program (they are completely rebuilding their fluid hammer). The latest indication is that the Novatek tool would be ready for retesting only 3Q 2004. Smith International's hammer will be tested in April of 2004 (2Q 2004 report). Accomplishments included the following: (1) TerraTek presented a paper for publication inmore » conjunction with a peer review at the GTI Natural Gas Technologies Conference February 10, 2004. Manuscripts and associated presentation material were delivered on schedule. The paper was entitled ''Mud Hammer Performance Optimization''. (2) Shell Exploration and Production continued to express high interest in the ''cutter impact'' testing program Task 8. Hughes Christensen supplied inserts for this testing program. (3) TerraTek hosted an Industry/DOE planning meeting to finalize a testing program for ''Cutter Impact Testing--Understanding Rock Breakage with Bits'' on February 13, 2004. (4) Formal dialogue with Terralog was initiated. Terralog has recently been awarded a DOE contract to model hammer mechanics with TerraTek as a sub-contractor. (5) Novatek provided the DOE with a schedule to complete their new fluid hammer and test it at TerraTek.« less

  7. Harvester-based sensing system for cotton fiber-quality mapping

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Precision agriculture in cotton production attempts to maximize profitability by exploiting information on field spatial variability to optimize the fiber yield and quality. For precision agriculture to be economically viable, collection of spatial variability data within a field must be automated a...

  8. Site Specific Management of Cotton Production in the United States

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Site-specific management or precision agriculture, as it is evolving in large-scale crop production, offers promising new methods for managing cotton production for optimized yields, maximized profitability, and minimized environmental pollution. However, adaptation of site-specific theory and meth...

  9. Wise Investment? Modeling Industry Profitability and Risk of Targeted Chemotherapy for Incurable Solid Cancers

    PubMed Central

    Conter, Henry J.; Chu, Quincy S.C.

    2012-01-01

    Purpose: Pharmaceutical development involves substantial financial risk. This risk, rising development costs, and the promotion of continued research and development have been cited as major drivers in the progressive increase in drug prices. Currently, cost-effective analyses are being used to determine the value of treatment. However, cost-effective analyses practically function as a threshold for value and do not directly address the rationale for drug prices. We set out to create a functional model for industry price decisions and clarify the minimum acceptable profitability of new drugs. Methods: Assuming that industry should only invest in profitable ventures, we employed a linear cost-volume-profit breakeven analysis to equate initial capital investment and risk and post–drug-approval profits, where drug development represents the bulk of investment. A Markov decision analysis model was also used to define the relationships between investment events risk. A systematic literature search was performed to determine event probabilities, clinical trial costs, and total expenses as inputs into the model. Disease-specific inputs, current market size across regions, and lengths of treatment for cancer types were also included. Results: With development of single novel chemotherapies costing from $802 to $1,042 million (2002 US dollars), pharmaceutical profits should range from $4.3 to $5.2 billion, with an expected rate of return on investment of 11% annually. However, diversification across cancer types for chemotherapy can reduce the minimum required profit to less than $3 billion. For optimal diversification, industry should study four tumor types per drug; however, nonprofit organizations could tolerate eight parallel development tracks to minimize the risk of development failure. Assuming that pharmaceutical companies hold exclusive rights for drug sales for only 5 years after market approval, the minimum required profit per drug per month per patient ranges from $294 for end-stage lung cancer to $3,231 for end-stage renal cell carcinoma. Conclusion: Pharmaceutical development in oncology is costly, with substantial risk, but is also highly profitable. Minimum acceptable profits per drug per month of treatment per patient vary with prevalence of disease, but they should be less than $5,000 per month of treatment in the developed world. Minimum acceptable profits may be lower for treatments with additional efficacy in the earlier stages of a tumor type. However, this type of event could not be statistically modeled. PMID:29447097

  10. Joint Decisions on Production and Pricing with Strategic Consumers for Green Crowdfunding Products.

    PubMed

    Chen, Yuting; Zhang, Rong; Liu, Bin

    2017-09-20

    Green crowdfunding is developing as a novel and popular transaction method, which can largely improve the efficiency of raising initial funds and selling innovative green products or services. In this paper, we explore the creator's joint decisions regarding green crowdfunding products of different quality levels that can sufficiently satisfy consumer preferences. Firstly, considering the characteristics of a green crowdfunding product, we present four pricing strategies when substitutes exist. Then we propose the optimal pricing strategies to maximize the total profit for the creator under different circumstances, facing strategic and myopic consumers. Finally, for the heterogeneity of consumer valuations, we compare the total profits of the four pricing strategies under different values of the substitution coefficient to obtain the optimal pricing and product strategies under the coexistence of strategic and myopic consumers. According to the result, we find that when the fraction of high-type consumers and the gap between high and low valuations is big, or when they are both small, traditional single pricing shows its benefit. However, when the green crowdfunding products are better than their substitute, a line of green products is more likely to be optimal.

  11. On the optimal production capacity for influenza vaccine.

    PubMed

    Forslid, Rikard; Herzing, Mathias

    2015-06-01

    This paper analyzes the profit maximizing capacity choice of a monopolistic vaccine producer facing the uncertain event of a pandemic in a homogenous population of forward-looking individuals. For any capacity level, the monopolist solves the intertemporal price discrimination problem within the dynamic setting generated by the standard mathematical epidemiological model of infectious diseases. Even though consumers are assumed to be identical, the monopolist will be able to exploit the ex post heterogeneity between infected and susceptible individuals by raising the price of vaccine in response to the increasing hazard rate. The monopolist thus bases its investment decision on the expected profits from the optimal price path given the infection dynamics. It is shown that the monopolist will always choose to invest in a lower production capacity than the social planner. Through numerical simulation, it is demonstrated how the loss to society of having a monopoly producer decreases with the speed of infection transmission. Moreover, it is illustrated how the monopolist's optimal vaccination rate increases as its discount rate rises for cost parameters based on Swedish data. However, the effect of the firm discount rate on its investment decision is sensitive to assumptions regarding the cost of production capacity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  12. Simplify to survive: prescriptive layouts ensure profitable scaling to 32nm and beyond

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liebmann, Lars; Pileggi, Larry; Hibbeler, Jason; Rovner, Vyacheslav; Jhaveri, Tejas; Northrop, Greg

    2009-03-01

    The time-to-market driven need to maintain concurrent process-design co-development, even in spite of discontinuous patterning, process, and device innovation is reiterated. The escalating design rule complexity resulting from increasing layout sensitivities in physical and electrical yield and the resulting risk to profitable technology scaling is reviewed. Shortcomings in traditional Design for Manufacturability (DfM) solutions are identified and contrasted to the highly successful integrated design-technology co-optimization used for SRAM and other memory arrays. The feasibility of extending memory-style design-technology co-optimization, based on a highly simplified layout environment, to logic chips is demonstrated. Layout density benefits, modeled patterning and electrical yield improvements, as well as substantially improved layout simplicity are quantified in a conventional versus template-based design comparison on a 65nm IBM PowerPC 405 microprocessor core. The adaptability of this highly regularized template-based design solution to different yield concerns and design styles is shown in the extension of this work to 32nm with an increased focus on interconnect redundancy. In closing, the work not covered in this paper, focused on the process side of the integrated process-design co-optimization, is introduced.

  13. Joint Decisions on Production and Pricing with Strategic Consumers for Green Crowdfunding Products

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Yuting; Zhang, Rong

    2017-01-01

    Green crowdfunding is developing as a novel and popular transaction method, which can largely improve the efficiency of raising initial funds and selling innovative green products or services. In this paper, we explore the creator’s joint decisions regarding green crowdfunding products of different quality levels that can sufficiently satisfy consumer preferences. Firstly, considering the characteristics of a green crowdfunding product, we present four pricing strategies when substitutes exist. Then we propose the optimal pricing strategies to maximize the total profit for the creator under different circumstances, facing strategic and myopic consumers. Finally, for the heterogeneity of consumer valuations, we compare the total profits of the four pricing strategies under different values of the substitution coefficient to obtain the optimal pricing and product strategies under the coexistence of strategic and myopic consumers. According to the result, we find that when the fraction of high-type consumers and the gap between high and low valuations is big, or when they are both small, traditional single pricing shows its benefit. However, when the green crowdfunding products are better than their substitute, a line of green products is more likely to be optimal. PMID:28930198

  14. Joint location, inventory, and preservation decisions for non-instantaneous deterioration items under delay in payments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tsao, Yu-Chung

    2016-02-01

    This study models a joint location, inventory and preservation decision-making problem for non-instantaneous deteriorating items under delay in payments. An outside supplier provides a credit period to the wholesaler which has a distribution system with distribution centres (DCs). The non-instantaneous deteriorating means no deterioration occurs in the earlier stage, which is very useful for items such as fresh food and fruits. This paper also considers that the deteriorating rate will decrease and the reservation cost will increase as the preservation effort increases. Therefore, how much preservation effort should be made is a crucial decision. The objective of this paper is to determine the optimal locations and number of DCs, the optimal replenishment cycle time at DCs, and the optimal preservation effort simultaneously such that the total network profit is maximised. The problem is formulated as piecewise nonlinear functions and has three different cases. Algorithms based on piecewise nonlinear optimisation are provided to solve the joint location and inventory problem for all cases. Computational analysis illustrates the solution procedures and the impacts of the related parameters on decisions and profits. The results of this study can serve as references for business managers or administrators.

  15. Optimized dispatch in a first-principles concentrating solar power production model

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Wagner, Michael J.; Newman, Alexandra M.; Hamilton, William T.

    Concentrating solar power towers, which include a steam-Rankine cycle with molten salt thermal energy storage, is an emerging technology whose maximum effectiveness relies on an optimal operational and dispatch policy. Given parameters such as start-up and shut-down penalties, expected electricity price profiles, solar availability, and system interoperability requirements, this paper seeks a profit-maximizing solution that determines start-up and shut-down times for the power cycle and solar receiver, and the times at which to dispatch stored and instantaneous quantities of energy over a 48-h horizon at hourly fidelity. The mixed-integer linear program (MIP) is subject to constraints including: (i) minimum andmore » maximum rates of start-up and shut-down, (ii) energy balance, including energetic state of the system as a whole and its components, (iii) logical rules governing the operational modes of the power cycle and solar receiver, and (iv) operational consistency between time periods. The novelty in this work lies in the successful integration of a dispatch optimization model into a detailed techno-economic analysis tool, specifically, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's System Advisor Model (SAM). The MIP produces an optimized operating strategy, historically determined via a heuristic. Using several market electricity pricing profiles, we present comparative results for a system with and without dispatch optimization, indicating that dispatch optimization can improve plant profitability by 5-20% and thereby alter the economics of concentrating solar power technology. While we examine a molten salt power tower system, this analysis is equally applicable to the more mature concentrating solar parabolic trough system with thermal energy storage.« less

  16. Effectiveness of the food recovery at the retailing stage under shelf life uncertainty: An application to Italian food chains.

    PubMed

    Muriana, Cinzia

    2015-07-01

    Food losses represent a significant issue affecting food supply chains. The possibility of recovering such products can be seen as an effective way to reduce such a phenomenon, improve supply chain performances and ameliorate the conditions of undernourished people. The topic has been already investigated by a previous paper enforcing the hypothesis of deterministic and constant Shelf Life (SL) of products. However, such a model cannot be properly extended to products affected by uncertainties of the SL as it does not take into account the deterioration costs and loss of profits due to the overcoming of the SL within the cycle time. Thus the present paper presents an extension of the previous one under stochastic conditions of the food quality. Differently from the previous publication, this work represents a general model applicable to all supply chains, especially to those managing fresh products characterized by uncertain SL such as fruits and vegetables. The deterioration costs and loss of profits are included in the model and the optimal time at which to withdraw the products from the shelves as well as the quantities to be shipped at each alternative destination have been determined. A comparison of the proposed model with that reported in the previous publication has been carried out in order to underline the impact of the SL variability on the optimality conditions. The results show that the food recovery strategy in the presence of uncertainty of the food quality is rewarding, even if the optimal profit is lower than that of the deterministic case. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. Microgrid to enable optimal distributed energy retail and end-user demand response

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Jin, Ming; Feng, Wei; Marnay, Chris

    In the face of unprecedented challenges in environmental sustainability and grid resilience, there is an increasingly held consensus regarding the adoption of distributed and renewable energy resources such as microgrids (MGs), and the utilization of flexible electric loads by demand response (DR) to potentially drive a necessary paradigm shift in energy production and consumption patterns. However, the potential value of distributed generation and demand flexibility has not yet been fully realized in the operation of MGs. This study investigates the pricing and operation strategy with DR for a MG retailer in an integrated energy system (IES). Based on co-optimizing retailmore » rates and MG dispatch formulated as a mixed integer quadratic programming (MIQP) problem, our model devises a dynamic pricing scheme that reflects the cost of generation and promotes DR, in tandem with an optimal dispatch plan that exploits spark spread and facilitates the integration of renewables, resulting in improved retailer profits and system stability. Main issues like integrated energy coupling and customer bill reduction are addressed during pricing to ensure rates competitiveness and customer protection. By evaluating on real datasets, the system is demonstrated to optimally coordinate storage, renewables, and combined heat and power (CHP), reduce carbon dioxide emission while maintaining profits, and effectively alleviate the PV curtailment problem. Finally, the model can be used by retailers and MG operators to optimize their operations, as well as regulators to design new utility rates in support of the ongoing transformation of energy systems.« less

  18. Microgrid to enable optimal distributed energy retail and end-user demand response

    DOE PAGES

    Jin, Ming; Feng, Wei; Marnay, Chris; ...

    2018-06-07

    In the face of unprecedented challenges in environmental sustainability and grid resilience, there is an increasingly held consensus regarding the adoption of distributed and renewable energy resources such as microgrids (MGs), and the utilization of flexible electric loads by demand response (DR) to potentially drive a necessary paradigm shift in energy production and consumption patterns. However, the potential value of distributed generation and demand flexibility has not yet been fully realized in the operation of MGs. This study investigates the pricing and operation strategy with DR for a MG retailer in an integrated energy system (IES). Based on co-optimizing retailmore » rates and MG dispatch formulated as a mixed integer quadratic programming (MIQP) problem, our model devises a dynamic pricing scheme that reflects the cost of generation and promotes DR, in tandem with an optimal dispatch plan that exploits spark spread and facilitates the integration of renewables, resulting in improved retailer profits and system stability. Main issues like integrated energy coupling and customer bill reduction are addressed during pricing to ensure rates competitiveness and customer protection. By evaluating on real datasets, the system is demonstrated to optimally coordinate storage, renewables, and combined heat and power (CHP), reduce carbon dioxide emission while maintaining profits, and effectively alleviate the PV curtailment problem. Finally, the model can be used by retailers and MG operators to optimize their operations, as well as regulators to design new utility rates in support of the ongoing transformation of energy systems.« less

  19. Trends in pediatric spleen management: Do hospital type and ownership still matter?

    PubMed

    Liu, Shaoming; Bowman, Stephen M; Smith, Tyler C; Sharar, Sam R

    2015-05-01

    Nonoperative management of traumatic blunt splenic injury is preferred over splenectomy because of improved outcomes and reduced complications. However, variability in treatment is previously reported with respect to hospital profit types and ownership. Our study objectives were to investigate the past decade's trends in pediatric splenic injury management and to determine whether previously reported disparities by hospital type have changed. We analyzed data from the Kid's Inpatient Database from Healthcare Cost and Utility Project for Years 2000, 2003, 2006, and 2009. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate the likelihood of receiving splenectomy in different hospital profit and ownership types. Patients 18 years and younger admitted with blunt splenic injury (DRG International Classification of Diseases-9th Rev.-Clinical Modification code 865) were included. Treatment was dichotomized into nonoperative management, defined as initial attempt at nonoperative management, and operative management, defined as splenectomy within 1 day of admission. Of 17,044 patient records, 11,893 participants were studied. Not-for-profit hospitals demonstrated a higher rate of nonoperative management than for-profit hospitals in 2000 (83.8% vs. 71.0 %). Both not-for-profit and for-profit hospitals increased the use of nonoperative management, with a narrower disparity observed by 2009 (87.5% vs. 84.6%). The use of splenectomy was reduced significantly between 2000 and 2003 (odds ratio, 0.66; weighted 95% confidence interval, 0.54-0.81). The rate of nonoperative management in children's hospitals remained very high across the study period (98.6% in 2009) and continued to be the benchmark for pediatric spleen injury management. Improvement was observed in nonoperative management rates for pediatric spleen injuries in both not-for-profit and for-profit hospitals. However, general hospitals still fail to reach the target of 90% nonoperative management. Further investigations are needed to facilitate optimal management of such children in general hospitals. Epidemiologic and prognostic study, level III.

  20. Multivariable optimization of an auto-thermal ammonia synthesis reactor using genetic algorithm

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Anh-Nga, Nguyen T.; Tuan-Anh, Nguyen; Tien-Dung, Vu; Kim-Trung, Nguyen

    2017-09-01

    The ammonia synthesis system is an important chemical process used in the manufacture of fertilizers, chemicals, explosives, fibers, plastics, refrigeration. In the literature, many works approaching the modeling, simulation and optimization of an auto-thermal ammonia synthesis reactor can be found. However, they just focus on the optimization of the reactor length while keeping the others parameters constant. In this study, the other parameters are also considered in the optimization problem such as the temperature of feed gas enters the catalyst zone. The optimal problem requires the maximization of a multivariable objective function which subjects to a number of equality constraints involving the solution of coupled differential equations and also inequality constraints. The solution of an optimization problem can be found through, among others, deterministic or stochastic approaches. The stochastic methods, such as evolutionary algorithm (EA), which is based on natural phenomenon, can overcome the drawbacks such as the requirement of the derivatives of the objective function and/or constraints, or being not efficient in non-differentiable or discontinuous problems. Genetic algorithm (GA) which is a class of EA, exceptionally simple, robust at numerical optimization and is more likely to find a true global optimum. In this study, the genetic algorithm is employed to find the optimum profit of the process. The inequality constraints were treated using penalty method. The coupled differential equations system was solved using Runge-Kutta 4th order method. The results showed that the presented numerical method could be applied to model the ammonia synthesis reactor. The optimum economic profit obtained from this study are also compared to the results from the literature. It suggests that the process should be operated at higher temperature of feed gas in catalyst zone and the reactor length is slightly longer.

  1. Quantitative tools link portfolio management with use of technology

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Anderson, R.N.; Boulanger, A.; Amaefule, J.

    1998-11-30

    The exploration and production (E and P) business is in the midst of a major transformation from an emphasis on cost-cutting to more diverse portfolio management practices. The industry has found that it is not easy to simultaneously optimize net present value (NPV), return on investment (ROI), and long-term growth. The result has been the adaptation of quantitative business practices that rival their subsurface geological equivalents in sophistication and complexity. The computational tools assess the risk-reward tradeoffs inherent in the upstream linkages between (1) the application of advanced technologies to improve success in exploration and in exploitation (reservoir evaluation, drilling,more » producing, and delivery to market) and (2) the maximization of both short- and long-term profitability. Exploitation is a critical link to the industry`s E and P profitability, as can be seen from the correlation between earnings growth of the international majors and production growth. The paper discusses the use of tools to optimize exploitation.« less

  2. 20 CFR 638.809 - Audit.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... duly authorized representatives, shall have access to any books, documents, papers, and records of the... Corps deliverers, or their subcontractors using Federal auditors or independent public accountants. Such...

  3. 20 CFR 638.809 - Audit.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... duly authorized representatives, shall have access to any books, documents, papers, and records of the... Corps deliverers, or their subcontractors using Federal auditors or independent public accountants. Such...

  4. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zhang, Z.; Pike, R.W.; Hertwig, T.A.

    An effective approach for source reduction in chemical plants has been demonstrated using on-line optimization with flowsheeting (ASPEN PLUS) for process optimization and parameter estimation and the Tjao-Biegler algorithm implemented in a mathematical programming language (GAMS/MINOS) for data reconciliation and gross error detection. Results for a Monsanto sulfuric acid plant with a Bailey distributed control system showed a 25% reduction in the sulfur dioxide emissions and a 17% improvement in the profit over the current operating conditions. Details of the methods used are described.

  5. Use of nonlinear programming to optimize performance response to energy density in broiler feed formulation.

    PubMed

    Guevara, V R

    2004-02-01

    A nonlinear programming optimization model was developed to maximize margin over feed cost in broiler feed formulation and is described in this paper. The model identifies the optimal feed mix that maximizes profit margin. Optimum metabolizable energy level and performance were found by using Excel Solver nonlinear programming. Data from an energy density study with broilers were fitted to quadratic equations to express weight gain, feed consumption, and the objective function income over feed cost in terms of energy density. Nutrient:energy ratio constraints were transformed into equivalent linear constraints. National Research Council nutrient requirements and feeding program were used for examining changes in variables. The nonlinear programming feed formulation method was used to illustrate the effects of changes in different variables on the optimum energy density, performance, and profitability and was compared with conventional linear programming. To demonstrate the capabilities of the model, I determined the impact of variation in prices. Prices for broiler, corn, fish meal, and soybean meal were increased and decreased by 25%. Formulations were identical in all other respects. Energy density, margin, and diet cost changed compared with conventional linear programming formulation. This study suggests that nonlinear programming can be more useful than conventional linear programming to optimize performance response to energy density in broiler feed formulation because an energy level does not need to be set.

  6. The benefits of social influence in optimized cultural markets.

    PubMed

    Abeliuk, Andrés; Berbeglia, Gerardo; Cebrian, Manuel; Van Hentenryck, Pascal

    2015-01-01

    Social influence has been shown to create significant unpredictability in cultural markets, providing one potential explanation why experts routinely fail at predicting commercial success of cultural products. As a result, social influence is often presented in a negative light. Here, we show the benefits of social influence for cultural markets. We present a policy that uses product quality, appeal, position bias and social influence to maximize expected profits in the market. Our computational experiments show that our profit-maximizing policy leverages social influence to produce significant performance benefits for the market, while our theoretical analysis proves that our policy outperforms in expectation any policy not displaying social signals. Our results contrast with earlier work which focused on showing the unpredictability and inequalities created by social influence. Not only do we show for the first time that, under our policy, dynamically showing consumers positive social signals increases the expected profit of the seller in cultural markets. We also show that, in reasonable settings, our profit-maximizing policy does not introduce significant unpredictability and identifies "blockbusters". Overall, these results shed new light on the nature of social influence and how it can be leveraged for the benefits of the market.

  7. Finances and returns for robotic dairies.

    PubMed

    Salfer, J A; Minegishi, K; Lazarus, W; Berning, E; Endres, M I

    2017-09-01

    Automatic milking systems (AMS) became commercially available in the early 1990s. These systems provide flexibility and improve the lifestyle of farmers installing them. Because of the larger capital cost per kilogram of milk produced, observational studies in Europe and simulation studies have shown AMS to be less profitable than milking parlor systems, although previous findings are somewhat mixed. Improved performance of newer generations of AMS, better facility design to accommodate cow behavior, and better management of these facilities have the potential to make AMS more profitable. Wage rates are also increasing and sourcing high-quality milking labor is challenging. We developed partial budget simulations to model profitability of AMS compared with parlor systems for 120-, 240-, and 1,500-cow farms. Both the 120-cow and 240-cow AMS were more profitable than the parlor systems. However, the 1,500-cow parlor system was more profitable than the AMS. Breakeven labor analysis of the 1,500-cow system showed that at a wage inflation rate of 1% and a 0.91 kg/d lower milk production with the AMS system, the breakeven labor rate was $27.02/h. If the farm is able to achieve similar milk production between the 2 systems and wage inflation averages 3% over the 30-yr time horizon, the breakeven wage rate drops to $17.11/h. The major management factors that influenced the net annual impact were changes in milking labor cost and milk production. Another significant factor affecting net annual impact was the economic life of the AMS. An economic life of 13 yr or longer was required for an AMS to have a consistently positive net annual impact (depending on milk production per cow and labor cost). For every 227-kg increase in daily milk production per AMS, net annual income increased approximately $4,100. Cost-effective ways to optimize milk per AMS are to minimize attaching and milking times and to optimize milking settings. Copyright © 2017 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. Undergraduate Students' Quantitative Reasoning in Economic Contexts

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Mkhatshwa, Thembinkosi Peter; Doerr, Helen M.

    2018-01-01

    Contributing to a growing body of research on undergraduate students' quantitative reasoning, the study reported in this article used task-based interviews to investigate business calculus students' quantitative reasoning when solving two optimization tasks situated in the context of revenue and profit maximization. Analysis of verbal responses…

  9. Using a spatially explicit analysis model to evaluate spatial variation of corn yield

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Spatial irrigation of agricultural crops using site-specific variable-rate irrigation (VRI) systems is beginning to have wide-spread acceptance. However, optimizing the management of these VRI systems to conserve natural resources and increase profitability requires an understanding of the spatial ...

  10. Assessing spatial variation of corn response to irrigation using a bayesian semiparametric model

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Spatial irrigation of agricultural crops using site-specific variable-rate irrigation (VRI) systems is beginning to have wide-spread acceptance. However, optimizing the management of these VRI systems to conserve natural resources and increase profitability requires an understanding of the spatial ...

  11. 48 CFR 49.108-3 - Settlement procedure.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... MANAGEMENT TERMINATION OF CONTRACTS General Principles 49.108-3 Settlement procedure. (a) Contractors shall settle with subcontractors in general conformity with the policies and principles relating to settlement...

  12. 48 CFR 244.202-2 - Considerations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ..., DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT SUBCONTRACTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Consent to Subcontracts 244.202-2 Considerations. (a) Where other than lowest price is the basis for subcontractor selection, has...

  13. 48 CFR 2052.215-75 - Proposal presentation and format.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ..., education, and employment history of its employees, subcontractor personnel, and consultants, through... and categories, materials, subcontracts, travel, computer time, etc., must be included so that the...

  14. Multiobjective optimization in a pseudometric objective space as applied to a general model of business activities

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Khachaturov, R. V.

    2016-09-01

    It is shown that finding the equivalence set for solving multiobjective discrete optimization problems is advantageous over finding the set of Pareto optimal decisions. An example of a set of key parameters characterizing the economic efficiency of a commercial firm is proposed, and a mathematical model of its activities is constructed. In contrast to the classical problem of finding the maximum profit for any business, this study deals with a multiobjective optimization problem. A method for solving inverse multiobjective problems in a multidimensional pseudometric space is proposed for finding the best project of firm's activities. The solution of a particular problem of this type is presented.

  15. 48 CFR 1602.170-15 - Subcontractor.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL DEFINITIONS OF WORDS AND TERMS Definitions of FEHBP... of direct medical services or supplies pursuant to the Carrier's health benefits plan. [52 FR 16038...

  16. 48 CFR 49.002 - Applicability.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... completed articles or work at the contract price and amounts for the settlement of subcontractor settlement proposals. Credits for retention or other disposal of termination inventory and amounts for advance or...

  17. 48 CFR 215.404-71-5 - Cost efficiency factor.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ...) Subcontractor cost reduction efforts; (7) The contractor's effective incorporation of commercial items and... contracting officer shall consider the impact that quantity differences, learning, changes in scope, and...

  18. 48 CFR 215.404-71-5 - Cost efficiency factor.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ...) Subcontractor cost reduction efforts; (7) The contractor's effective incorporation of commercial items and... contracting officer shall consider the impact that quantity differences, learning, changes in scope, and...

  19. 48 CFR 215.404-71-5 - Cost efficiency factor.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ...) Subcontractor cost reduction efforts; (7) The contractor's effective incorporation of commercial items and... contracting officer shall consider the impact that quantity differences, learning, changes in scope, and...

  20. 48 CFR 215.404-71-5 - Cost efficiency factor.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ...) Subcontractor cost reduction efforts; (7) The contractor's effective incorporation of commercial items and... contracting officer shall consider the impact that quantity differences, learning, changes in scope, and...

  1. Subcontractor Fairness Act of 2009

    THOMAS, 111th Congress

    Rep. Clay, Wm. Lacy [D-MO-1

    2009-11-19

    House - 02/12/2010 Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status IntroducedHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

  2. A dynamic model of functioning of a bank

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Malafeyev, Oleg; Awasthi, Achal; Zaitseva, Irina; Rezenkov, Denis; Bogdanova, Svetlana

    2018-04-01

    In this paper, we analyze dynamic programming as a novel approach to solve the problem of maximizing the profits of a bank. The mathematical model of the problem and the description of bank's work is described in this paper. The problem is then approached using the method of dynamic programming. Dynamic programming makes sure that the solutions obtained are globally optimal and numerically stable. The optimization process is set up as a discrete multi-stage decision process and solved with the help of dynamic programming.

  3. Optimizing Economic Indicators in the Case of Using Two Types of State-Subsidized Chemical Fertilizers for Agricultural Production

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Boldea, M.; Sala, F.

    2010-09-01

    We admit that the mathematical relation between agricultural production f(x, y) and the two types of fertilizers x and y is given by function (1). The coefficients that appear are determined by using the least squares method by comparison with the experimental data. We took into consideration the following economic indicators: absolute benefit, relative benefit, profitableness and cost price. These are maximized or minimized, thus obtaining the optimal solutions by annulling the partial derivatives.

  4. A Model of College Tuition Maximization

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bosshardt, Donald I.; Lichtenstein, Larry; Zaporowski, Mark P.

    2009-01-01

    This paper develops a series of models for optimal tuition pricing for private colleges and universities. The university is assumed to be a profit maximizing, price discriminating monopolist. The enrollment decision of student's is stochastic in nature. The university offers an effective tuition rate, comprised of stipulated tuition less financial…

  5. Corn response to nitrogen management under fully-irrigated vs. water-stressed conditions

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Characterizing corn grain yield response to nitrogen (N) fertilizer rate is critical for maximizing profits, optimizing N use efficiency and minimizing environmental impacts. Although a large data base of yield response to N has been compiled for highly productive soils in the upper Midwest U.S., f...

  6. Response of jatropha on a clay soil to different concentrations of micronutrients

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    In recent years Jatropha curcas L. has emerged as a biofuel crop with potential for its production in marginal land with application of treated sewage water. Since this is a new crop for its profitable cultivation, additional research is needed to develop optimal management programs, including macro...

  7. ADVERTISING EXPENDITURES - A GAME OF STRATEGY

    DTIC Science & Technology

    The paper considers the problem of optimally allocating advertising funds from a game theory point of view. Two basic models are presented and then...One of the more interesting extensions of the basic model is the development of a relation between the amount of money spent on advertising and profit.

  8. Microbial inoculants for optimized plant nutrients use in integrated pest and input management systems

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The use of fertilizers and pesticides have greatly increased agricultural productivity over the past few decades. However, there is still an ongoing search for additional or alternate tools that can proffer agricultural sustainability and meet the needs of profitability and greater food production f...

  9. Current performance of planter technology to support variable-rate seeding in the Southern US

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Advances in planting technology are expanding opportunities to vary seeding rates on–the-go. Variable-rate seeding can help maximize overall profits by matching optimal planting rates to field production variability. An important aspect of variable-rate seeding is ensuring peak performance of the pl...

  10. Unlocking the Secret of Global Education

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Tavangar, Homa Sabet

    2017-01-01

    Homa Sabet Tavangar is the author of "Growing Up Global: Raising Children to Be At Home in the World" (Random House, 2009) and "The Global Education Toolkit for Elementary Learners" (Sage/Corwin, 2014). She works with diverse schools, corporations, non-profits, and children's media on optimizing learning, empathy, inclusion,…

  11. Exploring the effect of the spatial scale of fishery management.

    PubMed

    Takashina, Nao; Baskett, Marissa L

    2016-02-07

    For any spatially explicit management, determining the appropriate spatial scale of management decisions is critical to success at achieving a given management goal. Specifically, managers must decide how much to subdivide a given managed region: from implementing a uniform approach across the region to considering a unique approach in each of one hundred patches and everything in between. Spatially explicit approaches, such as the implementation of marine spatial planning and marine reserves, are increasingly used in fishery management. Using a spatially explicit bioeconomic model, we quantify how the management scale affects optimal fishery profit, biomass, fishery effort, and the fraction of habitat in marine reserves. We find that, if habitats are randomly distributed, the fishery profit increases almost linearly with the number of segments. However, if habitats are positively autocorrelated, then the fishery profit increases with diminishing returns. Therefore, the true optimum in management scale given cost to subdivision depends on the habitat distribution pattern. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  12. Optimizing Sustainable Geothermal Heat Extraction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Patel, Iti; Bielicki, Jeffrey; Buscheck, Thomas

    2016-04-01

    Geothermal heat, though renewable, can be depleted over time if the rate of heat extraction exceeds the natural rate of renewal. As such, the sustainability of a geothermal resource is typically viewed as preserving the energy of the reservoir by weighing heat extraction against renewability. But heat that is extracted from a geothermal reservoir is used to provide a service to society and an economic gain to the provider of that service. For heat extraction used for market commodities, sustainability entails balancing the rate at which the reservoir temperature renews with the rate at which heat is extracted and converted into economic profit. We present a model for managing geothermal resources that combines simulations of geothermal reservoir performance with natural resource economics in order to develop optimal heat mining strategies. Similar optimal control approaches have been developed for managing other renewable resources, like fisheries and forests. We used the Non-isothermal Unsaturated-saturated Flow and Transport (NUFT) model to simulate the performance of a sedimentary geothermal reservoir under a variety of geologic and operational situations. The results of NUFT are integrated into the optimization model to determine the extraction path over time that maximizes the net present profit given the performance of the geothermal resource. Results suggest that the discount rate that is used to calculate the net present value of economic gain is a major determinant of the optimal extraction path, particularly for shallower and cooler reservoirs, where the regeneration of energy due to the natural geothermal heat flux is a smaller percentage of the amount of energy that is extracted from the reservoir.

  13. 48 CFR 222.406-1 - Policy.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ...); (B) Call attention to the labor standards requirements in the contract which relate to— (1...) It is necessary to determine whether the contractor and its subcontractors intend to pay any required...

  14. 48 CFR 222.406-1 - Policy.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 29, CFR); and (5) Executive Order 11246 (Equal Employment Opportunity); (B) Call attention to the... determine whether the contractor and its subcontractors intend to pay any required fringe benefits in the...

  15. 48 CFR 222.406-1 - Policy.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 29, CFR); and (5) Executive Order 11246 (Equal Employment Opportunity); (B) Call attention to the... determine whether the contractor and its subcontractors intend to pay any required fringe benefits in the...

  16. 48 CFR 222.406-1 - Policy.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ...); (B) Call attention to the labor standards requirements in the contract which relate to— (1...) It is necessary to determine whether the contractor and its subcontractors intend to pay any required...

  17. 48 CFR 222.406-1 - Policy.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ...); (B) Call attention to the labor standards requirements in the contract which relate to— (1...) It is necessary to determine whether the contractor and its subcontractors intend to pay any required...

  18. Electricity market design for generator revenue sufficiency with increased variable generation

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Levin, Todd; Botterud, Audun

    Here, we present a computationally efficient mixed-integer program (MIP) that determines optimal generator expansion decisions, and hourly unit commitment and dispatch in a power system. The impact of increasing wind power capacity on the optimal generation mix and generator profitability is analyzed for a test case that approximates the electricity market in Texas (ERCOT). We analyze three market policies that may support resource adequacy: Operating Reserve Demand Curves (ORDC), Fixed Reserve Scarcity Prices (FRSP) and fixed capacity payments (CP). Optimal expansion plans are comparable between the ORDC and FRSP implementations, while capacity payments may result in additional new capacity. Themore » FRSP policy leads to frequent reserves scarcity events and corresponding price spikes, while the ORDC implementation results in more continuous energy prices. Average energy prices decrease with increasing wind penetration under all policies, as do revenues for baseload and wind generators. Intermediate and peak load plants benefit from higher reserve prices and are less exposed to reduced energy prices. All else equal, an ORDC approach may be preferred to FRSP as it results in similar expansion and revenues with less extreme energy prices. A fixed CP leads to additional new flexible NGCT units, but lower profits for other technologies.« less

  19. Reconstructing Networks from Profit Sequences in Evolutionary Games via a Multiobjective Optimization Approach with Lasso Initialization

    PubMed Central

    Wu, Kai; Liu, Jing; Wang, Shuai

    2016-01-01

    Evolutionary games (EG) model a common type of interactions in various complex, networked, natural and social systems. Given such a system with only profit sequences being available, reconstructing the interacting structure of EG networks is fundamental to understand and control its collective dynamics. Existing approaches used to handle this problem, such as the lasso, a convex optimization method, need a user-defined constant to control the tradeoff between the natural sparsity of networks and measurement error (the difference between observed data and simulated data). However, a shortcoming of these approaches is that it is not easy to determine these key parameters which can maximize the performance. In contrast to these approaches, we first model the EG network reconstruction problem as a multiobjective optimization problem (MOP), and then develop a framework which involves multiobjective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA), followed by solution selection based on knee regions, termed as MOEANet, to solve this MOP. We also design an effective initialization operator based on the lasso for MOEA. We apply the proposed method to reconstruct various types of synthetic and real-world networks, and the results show that our approach is effective to avoid the above parameter selecting problem and can reconstruct EG networks with high accuracy. PMID:27886244

  20. Electricity market design for generator revenue sufficiency with increased variable generation

    DOE PAGES

    Levin, Todd; Botterud, Audun

    2015-10-01

    Here, we present a computationally efficient mixed-integer program (MIP) that determines optimal generator expansion decisions, and hourly unit commitment and dispatch in a power system. The impact of increasing wind power capacity on the optimal generation mix and generator profitability is analyzed for a test case that approximates the electricity market in Texas (ERCOT). We analyze three market policies that may support resource adequacy: Operating Reserve Demand Curves (ORDC), Fixed Reserve Scarcity Prices (FRSP) and fixed capacity payments (CP). Optimal expansion plans are comparable between the ORDC and FRSP implementations, while capacity payments may result in additional new capacity. Themore » FRSP policy leads to frequent reserves scarcity events and corresponding price spikes, while the ORDC implementation results in more continuous energy prices. Average energy prices decrease with increasing wind penetration under all policies, as do revenues for baseload and wind generators. Intermediate and peak load plants benefit from higher reserve prices and are less exposed to reduced energy prices. All else equal, an ORDC approach may be preferred to FRSP as it results in similar expansion and revenues with less extreme energy prices. A fixed CP leads to additional new flexible NGCT units, but lower profits for other technologies.« less

  1. Reconstructing Networks from Profit Sequences in Evolutionary Games via a Multiobjective Optimization Approach with Lasso Initialization

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, Kai; Liu, Jing; Wang, Shuai

    2016-11-01

    Evolutionary games (EG) model a common type of interactions in various complex, networked, natural and social systems. Given such a system with only profit sequences being available, reconstructing the interacting structure of EG networks is fundamental to understand and control its collective dynamics. Existing approaches used to handle this problem, such as the lasso, a convex optimization method, need a user-defined constant to control the tradeoff between the natural sparsity of networks and measurement error (the difference between observed data and simulated data). However, a shortcoming of these approaches is that it is not easy to determine these key parameters which can maximize the performance. In contrast to these approaches, we first model the EG network reconstruction problem as a multiobjective optimization problem (MOP), and then develop a framework which involves multiobjective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA), followed by solution selection based on knee regions, termed as MOEANet, to solve this MOP. We also design an effective initialization operator based on the lasso for MOEA. We apply the proposed method to reconstruct various types of synthetic and real-world networks, and the results show that our approach is effective to avoid the above parameter selecting problem and can reconstruct EG networks with high accuracy.

  2. Salmon fishing by bears and the dawn of cooperative predation.

    PubMed

    Stringham, Stephen F

    2012-11-01

    Although bears are an epitome of solitary predation, black (Ursus americanus) and brown bears (U. arctos) occasionally act in pairs to capture salmon (Onchorynchous spp.). I sought to identify conditions that promote pairing and how this relates to optimal foraging. This study on Alaskan black bears assessed whether each mode of fishing (solo vs. paired) occurs mainly where it is most efficient at harvesting salmon--that is, whether modal group size (1 vs. 2) is also optimal size. Not in this case. Pairing increased captures per attempt (benefit/cost ratio = profitability) by up to 47% and captures per minute by up to 5.2-fold. Yet, the ratio of paired versus solo fishing was significantly lower than either profitability or chance explains. Modal group size was 1, optimal size was 2. This discrepancy did not result from intervention by other current benefits and costs, but from unnecessary defensiveness toward any rapidly approaching conspecific, even though it was chasing salmon, not threatening. For bears to regularly hunt cooperatively, they would have to more readily habituate to agonistic-like predatory actions, communicate intentions from > 10 m apart, and assess situational variations in benefit/cost ratios for solo versus paired hunting. It would be revealing to discover how social carnivores overcame these challenges.

  3. Economic-Oriented Stochastic Optimization in Advanced Process Control of Chemical Processes

    PubMed Central

    Dobos, László; Király, András; Abonyi, János

    2012-01-01

    Finding the optimal operating region of chemical processes is an inevitable step toward improving economic performance. Usually the optimal operating region is situated close to process constraints related to product quality or process safety requirements. Higher profit can be realized only by assuring a relatively low frequency of violation of these constraints. A multilevel stochastic optimization framework is proposed to determine the optimal setpoint values of control loops with respect to predetermined risk levels, uncertainties, and costs of violation of process constraints. The proposed framework is realized as direct search-type optimization of Monte-Carlo simulation of the controlled process. The concept is illustrated throughout by a well-known benchmark problem related to the control of a linear dynamical system and the model predictive control of a more complex nonlinear polymerization process. PMID:23213298

  4. Reexploring Differences among For-Profit and Nonprofit Dialysis Providers

    PubMed Central

    Lee, Donald K K; Chertow, Glenn M; Zenios, Stefanos A

    2010-01-01

    Objective To determine whether profit status is associated with differences in hospital days per patient, an outcome that may also be influenced by provider financial goals. Data Sources United States Renal Data System Standard Analysis Files and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services cost reports. Design We compared the number of hospital days per patient per year across for-profit and nonprofit dialysis facilities during 2003. To address possible referral bias in the assignment of patients to dialysis facilities, we used an instrumental variable regression method and adjusted for selected patient-specific factors, facility characteristics such as size and chain affiliation, as well as metrics of market competition. Data Extraction Methods All patients who received in-center hemodialysis at any time in 2003 and for whom Medicare was the primary payer were included (N=170,130; roughly two-thirds of the U.S. hemodialysis population). Patients dialyzed at hospital-based facilities and patients with no dialysis facilities within 30 miles of their residence were excluded. Results Overall, adjusted hospital days per patient were 17±5 percent lower in nonprofit facilities. The difference between nonprofit and for-profit facilities persisted with the correction for referral bias. There was no association between hospital days per patient per year and chain affiliation, but larger facilities had inferior outcomes (facilities with 73 or more patients had a 14±1.7 percent increase in hospital days relative to facilities with 35 or fewer patients). Differences in outcomes among for-profit and nonprofit facilities translated to 1,600 patient-years in hospital that could be averted each year if the hospital utilization rates in for-profit facilities were to decrease to the level of their nonprofit counterparts. Conclusions Hospital days per patient-year were statistically and clinically significantly lower among nonprofit dialysis providers. These findings suggest that the indirect incentives in Medicare's current payment system may provide insufficient incentive for for-profit providers to achieve optimal patient outcomes. PMID:20403066

  5. Reexploring differences among for-profit and nonprofit dialysis providers.

    PubMed

    Lee, Donald K K; Chertow, Glenn M; Zenios, Stefanos A

    2010-06-01

    To determine whether profit status is associated with differences in hospital days per patient, an outcome that may also be influenced by provider financial goals. United States Renal Data System Standard Analysis Files and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services cost reports. We compared the number of hospital days per patient per year across for-profit and nonprofit dialysis facilities during 2003. To address possible referral bias in the assignment of patients to dialysis facilities, we used an instrumental variable regression method and adjusted for selected patient-specific factors, facility characteristics such as size and chain affiliation, as well as metrics of market competition. All patients who received in-center hemodialysis at any time in 2003 and for whom Medicare was the primary payer were included (N=170,130; roughly two-thirds of the U.S. hemodialysis population). Patients dialyzed at hospital-based facilities and patients with no dialysis facilities within 30 miles of their residence were excluded. Overall, adjusted hospital days per patient were 17+/-5 percent lower in nonprofit facilities. The difference between nonprofit and for-profit facilities persisted with the correction for referral bias. There was no association between hospital days per patient per year and chain affiliation, but larger facilities had inferior outcomes (facilities with 73 or more patients had a 14+/-1.7 percent increase in hospital days relative to facilities with 35 or fewer patients). Differences in outcomes among for-profit and nonprofit facilities translated to 1,600 patient-years in hospital that could be averted each year if the hospital utilization rates in for-profit facilities were to decrease to the level of their nonprofit counterparts. Hospital days per patient-year were statistically and clinically significantly lower among nonprofit dialysis providers. These findings suggest that the indirect incentives in Medicare's current payment system may provide insufficient incentive for for-profit providers to achieve optimal patient outcomes.

  6. 41 CFR 60-300.40 - Applicability of the affirmative action program requirement.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... FEDERAL CONTRACTORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS REGARDING DISABLED VETERANS, RECENTLY SEPARATED VETERANS, ACTIVE... contractor also shall make the affirmative action program promptly available on-site upon OFCCP's request. ...

  7. 48 CFR 30.607 - Subcontract administration.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ADMINISTRATION CAS Administration 30.607 Subcontract... subcontract level, the CFAO for the subcontractor shall furnish a copy of the negotiation memorandum or the... the prime contractor level. ...

  8. 48 CFR 926.7102 - Definition.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... subcontractor employed at a DOE Defense Nuclear Facility— (1) Whose position of employment has been, or will be... SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS Implementation of Section 3161 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year...

  9. 48 CFR 926.7102 - Definition.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... subcontractor employed at a DOE Defense Nuclear Facility— (1) Whose position of employment has been, or will be... SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS Implementation of Section 3161 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year...

  10. 48 CFR 926.7102 - Definition.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... subcontractor employed at a DOE Defense Nuclear Facility— (1) Whose position of employment has been, or will be... SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS Implementation of Section 3161 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year...

  11. 48 CFR 926.7102 - Definition.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... subcontractor employed at a DOE Defense Nuclear Facility— (1) Whose position of employment has been, or will be... SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS Implementation of Section 3161 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year...

  12. 48 CFR 926.7102 - Definition.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... subcontractor employed at a DOE Defense Nuclear Facility— (1) Whose position of employment has been, or will be... SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS Implementation of Section 3161 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year...

  13. Camp Minden Fact Sheet July 2015

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    The Louisiana Military Department (LMD) led a Community Meeting on June 30, 2015. The LMD contractor, Explosive Service Intl., and its subcontractor El Dorado Engineering, presented details of Contained Burn System (CBS).

  14. So You Have Asthma

    MedlinePlus

    ... prohibits discrimination on the basis of age by contractors and subcontractors in the perform- ance of Federal ... Executive Order 11246 states that no federally funded contractor may discriminate against any employee or applicant for ...

  15. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zitney, S.E.

    Emerging fossil energy power generation systems must operate with unprecedented efficiency and near-zero emissions, while optimizing profitably amid cost fluctuations for raw materials, finished products, and energy. To help address these challenges, the fossil energy industry will have to rely increasingly on the use advanced computational tools for modeling and simulating complex process systems. In this paper, we present the computational research challenges and opportunities for the optimization of fossil energy power generation systems across the plant lifecycle from process synthesis and design to plant operations. We also look beyond the plant gates to discuss research challenges and opportunities formore » enterprise-wide optimization, including planning, scheduling, and supply chain technologies.« less

  16. Explore or Exploit? A Generic Model and an Exactly Solvable Case

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gueudré, Thomas; Dobrinevski, Alexander; Bouchaud, Jean-Philippe

    2014-02-01

    Finding a good compromise between the exploitation of known resources and the exploration of unknown, but potentially more profitable choices, is a general problem, which arises in many different scientific disciplines. We propose a stylized model for these exploration-exploitation situations, including population or economic growth, portfolio optimization, evolutionary dynamics, or the problem of optimal pinning of vortices or dislocations in disordered materials. We find the exact growth rate of this model for treelike geometries and prove the existence of an optimal migration rate in this case. Numerical simulations in the one-dimensional case confirm the generic existence of an optimum.

  17. Explore or exploit? A generic model and an exactly solvable case.

    PubMed

    Gueudré, Thomas; Dobrinevski, Alexander; Bouchaud, Jean-Philippe

    2014-02-07

    Finding a good compromise between the exploitation of known resources and the exploration of unknown, but potentially more profitable choices, is a general problem, which arises in many different scientific disciplines. We propose a stylized model for these exploration-exploitation situations, including population or economic growth, portfolio optimization, evolutionary dynamics, or the problem of optimal pinning of vortices or dislocations in disordered materials. We find the exact growth rate of this model for treelike geometries and prove the existence of an optimal migration rate in this case. Numerical simulations in the one-dimensional case confirm the generic existence of an optimum.

  18. Holistic irrigation water management approach based on stochastic soil water dynamics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Alizadeh, H.; Mousavi, S. J.

    2012-04-01

    Appreciating the essential gap between fundamental unsaturated zone transport processes and soil and water management due to low effectiveness of some of monitoring and modeling approaches, this study presents a mathematical programming model for irrigation management optimization based on stochastic soil water dynamics. The model is a nonlinear non-convex program with an economic objective function to address water productivity and profitability aspects in irrigation management through optimizing irrigation policy. Utilizing an optimization-simulation method, the model includes an eco-hydrological integrated simulation model consisting of an explicit stochastic module of soil moisture dynamics in the crop-root zone with shallow water table effects, a conceptual root-zone salt balance module, and the FAO crop yield module. Interdependent hydrology of soil unsaturated and saturated zones is treated in a semi-analytical approach in two steps. At first step analytical expressions are derived for the expected values of crop yield, total water requirement and soil water balance components assuming fixed level for shallow water table, while numerical Newton-Raphson procedure is employed at the second step to modify value of shallow water table level. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm, combined with the eco-hydrological simulation model, has been used to solve the non-convex program. Benefiting from semi-analytical framework of the simulation model, the optimization-simulation method with significantly better computational performance compared to a numerical Mote-Carlo simulation-based technique has led to an effective irrigation management tool that can contribute to bridging the gap between vadose zone theory and water management practice. In addition to precisely assessing the most influential processes at a growing season time scale, one can use the developed model in large scale systems such as irrigation districts and agricultural catchments. Accordingly, the model has been applied in Dasht-e-Abbas and Ein-khosh Fakkeh Irrigation Districts (DAID and EFID) of the Karkheh Basin in southwest of Iran. The area suffers from the water scarcity problem and therefore the trade-off between the level of deficit and economical profit should be assessed. Based on the results, while the maximum net benefit has been obtained for the stress-avoidance (SA) irrigation policy, the highest water profitability, defined by economical net benefit gained from unit irrigation water volume application, has been resulted when only about 60% of water used in the SA policy is applied.

  19. 15 CFR 700.3 - Priority ratings and rated orders.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... for items that the person normally supplies. The existence of previously accepted unrated or lower... contractor to subcontractor to suppliers throughout the procurement chain. (e) Persons may place a priority...

  20. 15 CFR 700.3 - Priority ratings and rated orders.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... for items that the person normally supplies. The existence of previously accepted unrated or lower... contractor to subcontractor to suppliers throughout the procurement chain. (e) Persons may place a priority...

  1. 15 CFR 700.3 - Priority ratings and rated orders.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... for items that the person normally supplies. The existence of previously accepted unrated or lower... contractor to subcontractor to suppliers throughout the procurement chain. (e) Persons may place a priority...

  2. 15 CFR 700.3 - Priority ratings and rated orders.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... for items that the person normally supplies. The existence of previously accepted unrated or lower... contractor to subcontractor to suppliers throughout the procurement chain. (e) Persons may place a priority...

  3. 15 CFR 700.3 - Priority ratings and rated orders.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... for items that the person normally supplies. The existence of previously accepted unrated or lower... contractor to subcontractor to suppliers throughout the procurement chain. (e) Persons may place a priority...

  4. Strontium-90 Error Discovered in Subcontract Laboratory Spreadsheet

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    D. D. Brown A. S. Nagel

    1999-07-31

    West Valley Demonstration Project health physicists and environment scientists discovered a series of errors in a subcontractor's spreadsheet being used to reduce data as part of their strontium-90 analytical process.

  5. Delicious Heart-Healthy Latino Recipes

    MedlinePlus

    ... prohibits discrimination on the basis of age by contractors and subcontractors in the performance of Federal contracts, ... Executive Order 11246 states that no federally funded contractor may discriminate against any employee or applicant for ...

  6. Veterans' Employment and Training Service

    MedlinePlus

    ... Veterans Employment Center Veterans' Preference VETS-4212 Federal Contractor Reporting Women Who Served USERRA USERRA protects civilian ... Strategies for Successfully Removing Barriers. VETS-4212 Federal Contractor Reporting Federal contractors and subcontractors annually track and ...

  7. Incorporating a constrained optimization algorithm into remote sensing/precision agriculture methodology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Moreenthaler, George W.; Khatib, Nader; Kim, Byoungsoo

    2003-08-01

    For two decades now, the use of Remote Sensing/Precision Agriculture to improve farm yields while reducing the use of polluting chemicals and the limited water supply has been a major goal. With world population growing exponentially, arable land being consumed by urbanization, and an unfavorable farm economy, farm efficiency must increase to meet future food requirements and to make farming a sustainable, profitable occupation. "Precision Agriculture" refers to a farming methodology that applies nutrients and moisture only where and when they are needed in the field. The real goal is to increase farm profitability by identifying the additional treatments of chemicals and water that increase revenues more than they increase costs and do no exceed pollution standards (constrained optimization). Even though the economic and environmental benefits appear to be great, Remote Sensing/Precision Agriculture has not grown as rapidly as early advocates envisioned. Technology for a successful Remote Sensing/Precision Agriculture system is now in place, but other needed factors have been missing. Commercial satellite systems can now image the Earth (multi-spectrally) with a resolution as fine as 2.5 m. Precision variable dispensing systems using GPS are now available and affordable. Crop models that predict yield as a function of soil, chemical, and irrigation parameter levels have been developed. Personal computers and internet access are now in place in most farm homes and can provide a mechanism for periodically disseminating advice on what quantities of water and chemicals are needed in specific regions of each field. Several processes have been selected that fuse the disparate sources of information on the current and historic states of the crop and soil, and the remaining resource levels available, with the critical decisions that farmers are required to make. These are done in a way that is easy for the farmer to understand and profitable to implement. A "Constrained Optimization Algorithm" to further improve these processes will be presented. The objective function of the model will used to maximize the farmer's profit via increasing yields while decreasing environmental damage and decreasing applications of costly treatments. This model will incorporate information from Remote Sensing, from in-situ weather sources, from soil history, and from tacit farmer knowledge of the relative productivity of selected "Management Zones" of the farm, to provide incremental advice throughout the growing season on the optimum usage of water and chemical treatments.

  8. Integration of Mahalanobis-Taguchi system and traditional cost accounting for remanufacturing crankshaft

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Abu, M. Y.; Norizan, N. S.; Rahman, M. S. Abd

    2018-04-01

    Remanufacturing is a sustainability strategic planning which transforming the end of life product to as new performance with their warranty is same or better than the original product. In order to quantify the advantages of this strategy, all the processes must implement the optimization to reach the ultimate goal and reduce the waste generated. The aim of this work is to evaluate the criticality of parameters on the end of life crankshaft based on Taguchi’s orthogonal array. Then, estimate the cost using traditional cost accounting by considering the critical parameters. By implementing the optimization, the remanufacturer obviously produced lower cost and waste during production with higher potential to gain the profit. Mahalanobis-Taguchi System was proven as a powerful method of optimization that revealed the criticality of parameters. When subjected the method to the MAN engine model, there was 5 out of 6 crankpins were critical which need for grinding process while no changes happened to the Caterpillar engine model. Meanwhile, the cost per unit for MAN engine model was changed from MYR1401.29 to RM1251.29 while for Caterpillar engine model have no changes due to the no changes on criticality of parameters consideration. Therefore, by integrating the optimization and costing through remanufacturing process, a better decision can be achieved after observing the potential profit will be gained. The significant of output demonstrated through promoting sustainability by reducing re-melting process of damaged parts to ensure consistent benefit of return cores.

  9. Optimization of planting pattern plan in Logung irrigation area using linear program

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wardoyo, Wasis; Setyono

    2018-03-01

    Logung irrigation area is located in Kudus Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia. Irrigation area with 2810 Ha of extent is getting water supply from Logung dam. Yet, the utilization of water at Logung dam is not optimal and the distribution of water is still not evenly distributed. Therefore, this study will discuss about the optimization of irrigation water utilization based on the beginning of plant season. This optimization begins with the analysis of hydrology, climatology and river discharge in order to determine the irrigation water needs. After determining irrigation water needs, six alternatives of planting patterns with the different early planting periods, i.e. 1st November, 2nd November, 3rd November, 1st December, 2nd December, and 3rd December with the planting pattern of rice-secondary crop-sugarcane is introduced. It is continued by the analysis of water distribution conducted using linear program assisted by POM-Quantity method for Windows 3 with the reliable discharge limit and the available land area. Output of this calculation are to determine the land area that can be planted based on the type of plant and growing season, and to obtaine the profits of harvest yields. Based on the optimum area of each plant species with 6 alternatives, the most optimum area was obtained at the early planting periods on 3rd December with the production profit of Rp 113.397.338.854,- with the planting pattern of rice / beans / sugarcane-rice / beans / sugarcane-beans / sugarcane.

  10. Using and comparing metaheuristic algorithms for optimizing bidding strategy viewpoint of profit maximization of generators

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mousavi, Seyed Hosein; Nazemi, Ali; Hafezalkotob, Ashkan

    2015-03-01

    With the formation of the competitive electricity markets in the world, optimization of bidding strategies has become one of the main discussions in studies related to market designing. Market design is challenged by multiple objectives that need to be satisfied. The solution of those multi-objective problems is searched often over the combined strategy space, and thus requires the simultaneous optimization of multiple parameters. The problem is formulated analytically using the Nash equilibrium concept for games composed of large numbers of players having discrete and large strategy spaces. The solution methodology is based on a characterization of Nash equilibrium in terms of minima of a function and relies on a metaheuristic optimization approach to find these minima. This paper presents some metaheuristic algorithms to simulate how generators bid in the spot electricity market viewpoint of their profit maximization according to the other generators' strategies, such as genetic algorithm (GA), simulated annealing (SA) and hybrid simulated annealing genetic algorithm (HSAGA) and compares their results. As both GA and SA are generic search methods, HSAGA is also a generic search method. The model based on the actual data is implemented in a peak hour of Tehran's wholesale spot market in 2012. The results of the simulations show that GA outperforms SA and HSAGA on computing time, number of function evaluation and computing stability, as well as the results of calculated Nash equilibriums by GA are less various and different from each other than the other algorithms.

  11. Testing competing measures of profitability for mobile resources.

    PubMed

    Barrette, Maryse; Wu, Gi-Mick; Brodeur, Jacques; Giraldeau, Luc-Alain; Boivin, Guy

    2009-01-01

    Optimal diet theory often fails to predict a forager's diet choice when prey are mobile. Because they escape or defend themselves, mobile prey are likely to increase the forager's handling time, thereby decreasing its fitness gain rate. Many animals have been shown to select their prey so as to maximize either their fitness gain or their fitness gain rate. However, no study has yet compared directly these two measures of profitability by generating testable predictions about the choice of the forager. Under laboratory conditions, we compared these two measures of profitability, using the aphid parasitoid Aphidius colemani and its host, Myzus persicae. Fitness gain was calculated for parasitoids developing in each host instar by measuring life-history traits such as developmental time, sex ratio and fecundity. Fitness gain rate was estimated by dividing fitness gain by handling time, the time required to subdue the host. Fourth instar aphids provided the best fitness gain to parasitoids, whereas second instar aphids were the most profitable in terms of fitness gain rate. Host choice tests showed that A. colemani females preferred second instar hosts, suggesting that their decision maximizes fitness gain rate over fitness gain. Our results indicate that fitness gain rate is a reliable predictor of animal's choice for foragers exploiting resources that impose additional time cost due to their mobility.

  12. Predicting moisture and economic value of solid forest fuel piles for improving the profitability of bioenergy use

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lauren, Ari; Kinnunen, Jyrki-Pekko; Sikanen, Lauri

    2016-04-01

    Bioenergy contributes 26 % of the total energy use in Finland, and 60 % of this is provided by solid forest fuel consisting of small stems and logging residues such as tops, branches, roots and stumps. Typically the logging residues are stored as piles on site before transporting to regional combined heat and power plants for combustion. Profitability of forest fuel use depends on smart control of the feedstock. Fuel moisture, dry matter loss, and the rate of interest during the storing are the key variables affecting the economic value of the fuel. The value increases with drying, but decreases with wetting, dry matter loss and positive rate of interest. We compiled a simple simulation model computing the moisture change, dry matter loss, transportation costs and present value of feedstock piles. The model was used to predict the time of the maximum value of the stock, and to compose feedstock allocation strategies under the question: how should we choose the piles and the combustion time so that total energy yield and the economic value of the energy production is maximized? The question was assessed concerning the demand of the energy plant. The model parameterization was based on field scale studies. The initial moisture, and the rates of daily moisture change and dry matter loss in the feedstock piles depended on the day of the year according to empirical field measurements. Time step of the computation was one day. Effects of pile use timing on the total energy yield and profitability was studied using combinatorial optimization. Results show that the storing increases the pile maximum value if the natural drying onsets soon after the harvesting; otherwise dry matter loss and the capital cost of the storing overcome the benefits gained by drying. Optimized timing of the pile use can improve slightly the profitability, based on the increased total energy yield and because the energy unit based transportation costs decrease when water content in the biomass is decreased.

  13. Solving complex maintenance planning optimization problems using stochastic simulation and multi-criteria fuzzy decision making

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Tahvili, Sahar; Österberg, Jonas; Silvestrov, Sergei

    One of the most important factors in the operations of many cooperations today is to maximize profit and one important tool to that effect is the optimization of maintenance activities. Maintenance activities is at the largest level divided into two major areas, corrective maintenance (CM) and preventive maintenance (PM). When optimizing maintenance activities, by a maintenance plan or policy, we seek to find the best activities to perform at each point in time, be it PM or CM. We explore the use of stochastic simulation, genetic algorithms and other tools for solving complex maintenance planning optimization problems in terms ofmore » a suggested framework model based on discrete event simulation.« less

  14. Contraction Options and Optimal Multiple-Stopping in Spectrally Negative Lévy Models

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Yamazaki, Kazutoshi, E-mail: kyamazak@kansai-u.ac.jp

    This paper studies the optimal multiple-stopping problem arising in the context of the timing option to withdraw from a project in stages. The profits are driven by a general spectrally negative Lévy process. This allows the model to incorporate sudden declines of the project values, generalizing greatly the classical geometric Brownian motion model. We solve the one-stage case as well as the extension to the multiple-stage case. The optimal stopping times are of threshold-type and the value function admits an expression in terms of the scale function. A series of numerical experiments are conducted to verify the optimality and tomore » evaluate the efficiency of the algorithm.« less

  15. The Profitability of an Investment in Photovoltaics in South Carolina

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Welsh, Thomas McClain

    As renewable energy becomes more prevalent across the United States and the world, solar energy investment has also grown. There have been many studies done on photovoltaic (PV) systems in terms of energy payback and efficiency, but little research done to understand a PV system as a financial investment specific to South Carolina. This study aims to understand the return on investment that a PV system can achieve. More specifically whether PV systems in areas of South Carolina that uses Duke Energy achieve a favorable return on investment and what affects the profitability. This study uses the PVwatts calculator provided by NREL as well as an investment simulation to calculate the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Net Present Value on 1024 simulated 5kW PV arrays and evaluates their profitability. It then uses this information to apply it to real case studies for houses in South Carolina. This study found that shade has a significant impact on profitability of investment. At 30% shading, profitability drops near 0% IRR or below. Orientation impacts profitability significantly as well. Panels that are facing south, southeast, and southwest yielded the best return. While north, northeast and northwest orientations yielded very low or negative IRR. East and west facing panels can yield positive financial return, but this return is lower than panels orientated to the south. PV systems oriented towards the east or west must have optimal conditions to remain efficient. This study found that tilt had minimal impact on financially return. Incentives also significantly impacted profitability of investment. For a PV system to be profitable, federal, state, and Duke Energy incentives needed to be applied to the investment. When homes with PV systems are sold also has a great impact on profitability. Research has shown that there is a housing premium for homes with PV systems (Adomatis, 2015). This premium is highest when first installed and declines as the PV systems age. People also associate premiums with houses with PV systems even if the system is not adding much value to the home. This study has also found that the price of the PV system impacts investment. Premium grade panels had significantly less return compared to standard grade panels because prices per watt were higher.

  16. Economic and genetic performance of various combinations of in vitro-produced embryo transfers and artificial insemination in a dairy herd.

    PubMed

    Kaniyamattam, Karun; Block, Jeremy; Hansen, Peter J; De Vries, Albert

    2018-02-01

    The objective of this study was to find the optimal proportions of pregnancies from an in vitro-produced embryo transfer (IVP-ET) system and artificial insemination (AI) so that profitability is maximized over a range of prices for embryos and surplus dairy heifer calves. An existing stochastic, dynamic dairy model with genetic merits of 12 traits was adapted for scenarios where 0 to 100% of the eligible females in the herd were impregnated, in increments of 10%, using IVP-ET (ET0 to ET100, 11 scenarios). Oocytes were collected from the top donors selected for the trait lifetime net merit (NM$) and fertilized with sexed semen to produce IVP embryos. Due to their greater conception rates, first ranked were eligible heifer recipients based on lowest number of unsuccessful inseminations or embryo transfers, and then on age. Next, eligible cow recipients were ranked based on the greatest average estimated breeding values (EBV) of the traits cow conception rate and daughter pregnancy rate. Animals that were not recipients of IVP embryos received conventional semen through AI, except that the top 50% of heifers ranked for EBV of NM$ were inseminated with sexed semen for the first 2 AI. The economically optimal proportions of IVP-ET were determined using sensitivity analysis performed for 24 price sets involving 6 different selling prices of surplus dairy heifer calves at approximately 105 d of age and 4 different prices of IVP embryos. The model was run for 15 yr after the start of the IVP-ET program for each scenario. The mean ± standard error of true breeding values of NM$ of all cows in the herd in yr 15 was greater by $603 ± 2 per cow per year for ET100 when compared with ET0. The optimal proportion of IVP-ET ranged from ET100 (for surplus dairy heifer calves sold for ≥$300 along with an additional premium based on their EBV of NM$ and a ≤$100 embryo price) to as low as ET0 (surplus dairy heifer calves sold at $300 with a $200 embryo price). For the default assumptions, the profit/cow in yr 15 was greater by $337, $215, $116, and $69 compared with ET0 when embryo prices were $50, $100, $150, and $200. The optimal use of IVP-ET was 100, 100, 62, and 36% of all breedings for these embryo prices, respectively. At the input price of $165 for an IVP embryo, the difference in the net present value of yr 15 profit between ET40 (optimal scenario) and ET0 was $33 per cow. In conclusion, some use of IVP-ET was profitable for a wide range of IVP-ET prices and values of surplus dairy heifer calves. Copyright © 2018 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Multiobjective Particle Swarm Optimization for the optimal design of photovoltaic grid-connected systems

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kornelakis, Aris

    2010-12-15

    Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is a highly efficient evolutionary optimization algorithm. In this paper a multiobjective optimization algorithm based on PSO applied to the optimal design of photovoltaic grid-connected systems (PVGCSs) is presented. The proposed methodology intends to suggest the optimal number of system devices and the optimal PV module installation details, such that the economic and environmental benefits achieved during the system's operational lifetime period are both maximized. The objective function describing the economic benefit of the proposed optimization process is the lifetime system's total net profit which is calculated according to the method of the Net Present Valuemore » (NPV). The second objective function, which corresponds to the environmental benefit, equals to the pollutant gas emissions avoided due to the use of the PVGCS. The optimization's decision variables are the optimal number of the PV modules, the PV modules optimal tilt angle, the optimal placement of the PV modules within the available installation area and the optimal distribution of the PV modules among the DC/AC converters. (author)« less

  18. 48 CFR 52.217-2 - Cancellation Under Multiyear Contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... precluded anticipated benefits of Contractor or subcontractor learning. (g) The claim shall not include— (1...) This contract may include an Option clause with the period for exercising the option limited to the...

  19. 48 CFR 1322.302 - Liquidated damages and overtime pay.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS APPLICATION OF LABOR LAWS TO GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS Contract Work Hours and Safety... subcontractor inadvertently violated the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act is set forth in CAM 1301...

  20. 48 CFR 1322.302 - Liquidated damages and overtime pay.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS APPLICATION OF LABOR LAWS TO GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS Contract Work Hours and Safety... subcontractor inadvertently violated the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act is set forth in CAM 1301...

  1. 48 CFR 52.222-7 - Withholding of Funds.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... mechanics, including apprentices, trainees, and helpers, employed by the Contractor or any subcontractor the full amount of wages required by the contract. In the event of failure to pay any laborer or mechanic...

  2. 48 CFR 52.222-7 - Withholding of Funds.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... mechanics, including apprentices, trainees, and helpers, employed by the Contractor or any subcontractor the full amount of wages required by the contract. In the event of failure to pay any laborer or mechanic...

  3. 48 CFR 52.222-7 - Withholding of Funds.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... mechanics, including apprentices, trainees, and helpers, employed by the Contractor or any subcontractor the full amount of wages required by the contract. In the event of failure to pay any laborer or mechanic...

  4. 48 CFR 52.222-7 - Withholding of Funds.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... mechanics, including apprentices, trainees, and helpers, employed by the Contractor or any subcontractor the full amount of wages required by the contract. In the event of failure to pay any laborer or mechanic...

  5. 10 CFR 1046.3 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ..., laboratory, office building or other area utilized by the DOE or its contractors or subcontractors for the..., previously referred to as a “security inspector.” Special response team member. A security police officer who...

  6. 10 CFR 1046.3 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ..., laboratory, office building or other area utilized by the DOE or its contractors or subcontractors for the..., previously referred to as a “security inspector.” Special response team member. A security police officer who...

  7. 10 CFR 1046.3 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ..., laboratory, office building or other area utilized by the DOE or its contractors or subcontractors for the..., previously referred to as a “security inspector.” Special response team member. A security police officer who...

  8. 77 FR 44045 - Federal Acquisition Regulation; Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-60; Introduction

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-07-26

    ... the United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to the list of agencies that have... taxation of Government cost-reimbursement contracts when contractors and their subcontractors purchase...

  9. Asthma & Physical Activity in the School

    MedlinePlus

    ... prohibits discrimination on the basis of age by contractors and subcontractors in the performance of Federal contracts, ... Executive Order 11246 states that no federally funded contractor may discriminate against any employee or applicant for ...

  10. Families Finding the Balance: A Parent Handbook

    MedlinePlus

    ... prohibits discrimination on the basis of age by contractors and subcontractors in the performance of Federal contracts, ... Executive Order 11246 states that no federally funded contractor my discriminate against any employee or applicant for ...

  11. SUPPLY CHAIN OPTIMIZATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY AND PROFITABILITY BY THE P-GRAPH FRAMEWORK

    EPA Science Inventory

    The proposed methodology is an outcome of the collaboration between the Office of Research and Development (ORD) of the U.S. EPA and the research group led by the founders of the P graph framework. U.S. EPA/ORD has substantial creditable experience with the development of indicat...

  12. Socially optimal drainage system and agricultural biodiversity: a case study for Finnish landscape.

    PubMed

    Saikkonen, Liisa; Herzon, Irina; Ollikainen, Markku; Lankoski, Jussi

    2014-12-15

    This paper examines the socially optimal drainage choice (surface/subsurface) for agricultural crop cultivation in a landscape with different land qualities (fertilities) when private profits and nutrient runoff damages are taken into account. We also study the measurable social costs to increase biodiversity by surface drainage when the locations of the surface-drained areas in a landscape affect the provided biodiversity. We develop a general theoretical model and apply it to empirical data from Finnish agriculture. We find that for low land qualities the measurable social returns are higher to surface drainage than to subsurface drainage, and that the profitability of subsurface drainage increases along with land quality. The measurable social costs to increase biodiversity by surface drainage under low land qualities are negative. For higher land qualities, these costs depend on the land quality and on the biodiversity impacts. Biodiversity conservation plans for agricultural landscapes should focus on supporting surface drainage systems in areas where the measurable social costs to increase biodiversity are negative or lowest. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Optimal Operation and Value Evaluation of Pumped Storage Power Plants Considering Spot Market Trading and Uncertainty of Bilateral Demand

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Takahashi, Kenta; Hara, Ryoichi; Kita, Hiroyuki; Hasegawa, Jun

    In recent years, as the deregulation in electric power industry has advanced in many countries, a spot market trading of electricity has been done. Generation companies are allowed to purchase the electricity through the electric power market and supply electric power for their bilateral customers. Under this circumstance, it is important for the generation companies to procure the required electricity with cheaper cost to increase their profit. The market price is volatile since it is determined by bidding between buyer and seller. The pumped storage power plant, one of the storage facilities is promising against such volatile market price since it can produce a profit by purchasing electricity with lower-price and selling it with higher-price. This paper discusses the optimal operation of the pumped storage power plants considering bidding strategy to an uncertain spot market. The volatilities in market price and demand are represented by the Vasicek model in our estimation. This paper also discusses the allocation of operational reserve to the pumped storage power plant.

  14. Contract portfolio optimization for a gasoline supply chain

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Shanshan

    Major oil companies sell gasoline through three channels of trade: branded (associated with long-term contracts), unbranded (associated with short-term contracts), and spot market. The branded channel provides them with a long-term secured and sustainable demand source, but requires an inflexible long-term commitment with demand and price risks. The unbranded channel provides a medium level of allocation flexibility. The spot market provides them with the greatest allocation flexibility to the changing market conditions, but the spot market's illiquidity mitigates this benefit. In order to sell the product in a profitable and sustainable way, they need an optimal contract portfolio. This dissertation addresses the contract portfolio optimization problem from different perspectives (retrospective view and forward-looking view) at different levels (strategic level, tactical level and operational level). The objective of the retrospective operational model is to develop a financial case to estimate the business value of having a dynamic optimization model and quantify the opportunity values missed in the past. This model proves the financial significance of the problem and provides top management valuable insights into the business. BP has applied the insights and principles gained from this work and implemented the model to the entire Midwest gasoline supply chain to retrospectively review optimization opportunities. The strategic model is the most parsimonious model that captures the essential economic tradeoffs among different contract types, to demonstrate the need for a contract portfolio and what drives the portfolio. We examine the properties of the optimal contract portfolio and provide a comparative statics analysis by changing the model parameters. As the strategic model encapsulates the business problem at the macroscopic level, the tactical model resolves lower level issues. It considers the time dynamics, the information flow and contracting flow. Using this model, we characterize a simple and easily implementable dynamic contract portfolio policy that would enable the company to dynamically rebalance its supply contract portfolio over time in anticipation of the future market conditions in each individual channel while satisfying the contractual obligations. The optimal policy is a state-dependent base-share contract portfolio policy characterized by a branded base-share level and an unbranded contract commitment combination, given as a function of the initial information state. Using real-world market data, we estimate the model parameters. We also apply an efficient modified policy iteration method to compute the optimal contract portfolio strategies and corresponding profit value. We present computational results in order to obtain insights into the structure of optimal policies, capture the value of the dynamic contract portfolio policy by comparing it with static policies, and illustrate the sensitivity of the optimal contract portfolio and corresponding profit value in terms of the different parameters. Considering the geographic dispersion of different market areas and the pipeline network together with the dynamic contract portfolio optimization problem, we formulate a forward-looking operational model, which could be used by gasoline suppliers for lower-level planning. Finally, we discuss the generalization of the framework to other problems and applications, as well as further research.

  15. An economic order quantity model with nonlinear holding cost, partial backlogging and ramp-type demand

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    San-José, Luis A.; Sicilia, Joaquín; González-de-la-Rosa, Manuel; Febles-Acosta, Jaime

    2018-07-01

    In this article, a deterministic inventory model with a ramp-type demand depending on price and time is developed. The cumulative holding cost is assumed to be a nonlinear function of time. Shortages are allowed and are partially backlogged. Thus, the fraction of backlogged demand depends on the waiting time and on the stock-out period. The aim is to maximize the total profit per unit time. To do this, a procedure that determines the economic lot size, the optimal inventory cycle and the maximum profit is presented. The inventory system studied here extends diverse inventory models proposed in the literature. Finally, some numerical examples are provided to illustrate the theoretical results previously propounded.

  16. Optimizing bi-objective, multi-echelon supply chain model using particle swarm intelligence algorithm

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sathish Kumar, V. R.; Anbuudayasankar, S. P.; Rameshkumar, K.

    2018-02-01

    In the current globalized scenario, business organizations are more dependent on cost effective supply chain to enhance profitability and better handle competition. Demand uncertainty is an important factor in success or failure of a supply chain. An efficient supply chain limits the stock held at all echelons to the extent of avoiding a stock-out situation. In this paper, a three echelon supply chain model consisting of supplier, manufacturing plant and market is developed and the same is optimized using particle swarm intelligence algorithm.

  17. 42 CFR 81.4 - Definition of terms used in this part.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... who is or was an employee of DOE, a DOE contractor or subcontractor, or an atomic weapons employer... length. High LET radiation includes alpha particles and neutrons, which have weaker penetrating...

  18. 42 CFR 81.4 - Definition of terms used in this part.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... who is or was an employee of DOE, a DOE contractor or subcontractor, or an atomic weapons employer... length. High LET radiation includes alpha particles and neutrons, which have weaker penetrating...

  19. 42 CFR 81.4 - Definition of terms used in this part.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... who is or was an employee of DOE, a DOE contractor or subcontractor, or an atomic weapons employer... length. High LET radiation includes alpha particles and neutrons, which have weaker penetrating...

  20. Contracting with the Frederick National Lab | FNLCR Staging

    Cancer.gov

    Our Acquisitions Directorate supports the national laboratory with high quality products and services to achieve its national mission. In addition to engaging large subcontractors, we are also committed to working with small businesses, minority- and

  1. 48 CFR 19.703 - Eligibility requirements for participating in the program.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... proposing one or more SDB subcontractors, the contracting officer or the SBA may protest the disadvantaged... subcontracting goals for small business and small disadvantaged business (SDB) concerns, regardless of the size...

  2. 48 CFR 19.703 - Eligibility requirements for participating in the program.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... proposing one or more SDB subcontractors, the contracting officer or the SBA may protest the disadvantaged... subcontracting goals for small business and small disadvantaged business (SDB) concerns, regardless of the size...

  3. 48 CFR 1552.211-73 - Level of effort-cost-reimbursement term contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... programmers and not support personnel such as company management, typists, and key punch operators even though... specified in paragraph (a) includes Contractor, subcontractor, and consultant labor hours. (c) If the...

  4. VIEW OF BUILDING 122 EXAMINATION FACILITIES THAT SUPPORT ROUTINE EMPLOYEE ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    VIEW OF BUILDING 122 EXAMINATION FACILITIES THAT SUPPORT ROUTINE EMPLOYEE AND SUBCONTRACTOR PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS. (10/85) - Rocky Flats Plant, Emergency Medical Services Facility, Southwest corner of Central & Third Avenues, Golden, Jefferson County, CO

  5. 48 CFR 952.223-78 - Sustainable acquisition program.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... activities with and submit required reports through the Environmental Sustainability Coordinator or... Prime Contractor's Environmental Sustainability Coordinator at the supported facility. The Subcontractor... reports through the Environmental Sustainability Coordinator or equivalent position. Reporting under this...

  6. 48 CFR 952.223-78 - Sustainable acquisition program.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... activities with and submit required reports through the Environmental Sustainability Coordinator or... Prime Contractor's Environmental Sustainability Coordinator at the supported facility. The Subcontractor... reports through the Environmental Sustainability Coordinator or equivalent position. Reporting under this...

  7. 48 CFR 952.223-78 - Sustainable acquisition program.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... activities with and submit required reports through the Environmental Sustainability Coordinator or... Prime Contractor's Environmental Sustainability Coordinator at the supported facility. The Subcontractor... reports through the Environmental Sustainability Coordinator or equivalent position. Reporting under this...

  8. 48 CFR 952.223-78 - Sustainable acquisition program.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... activities with and submit required reports through the Environmental Sustainability Coordinator or... Prime Contractor's Environmental Sustainability Coordinator at the supported facility. The Subcontractor... reports through the Environmental Sustainability Coordinator or equivalent position. Reporting under this...

  9. Practices and technologies in hazardous material transportation and security.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2011-11-23

    "The University of Arkansas (UA) team is responsible for investigating practices of : hazardous material transportation in the private sector. The UA team is a subcontractor : to the project Petrochemical Transportation Security, Development of...

  10. 48 CFR 2152.070 - Applicable clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... Defective Cost or Pricing Data 52.215-12Subcontractor Cost or Pricing Data 52.215-15Pension Adjustments and...-23Assignment of Claims 52.232-33Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Central Contractor Registration 52.233...

  11. Optimization of educational paths for higher education

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tarasyev, Alexandr A.; Agarkov, Gavriil; Medvedev, Aleksandr

    2017-11-01

    In our research, we combine the theory of economic behavior and the methodology of increasing efficiency of the human capital to estimate the optimal educational paths. We provide an optimization model for higher education process to analyze possible educational paths for each rational individual. The preferences of each rational individual are compared to the best economically possible educational path. The main factor of the individual choice, which is formed by the formation of optimal educational path, deals with higher salaries level in the chosen economic sector after graduation. Another factor that influences on the economic profit is the reduction of educational costs or the possibility of the budget support for the student. The main outcome of this research consists in correction of the governmental policy of investment in human capital based on the results of educational paths optimal control.

  12. High resolution, low cost solar cell contact development. Quarterly technical progress and schedule report, September 28, 1980

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Mardesich, N.

    The scope of the contract covers the development and evaluation of forming solar cell collector grid contacts by the MIDFILM process. This is a proprietary process developed by the Ferro Corporation which is a subcontractor for the program. The MIDFILM process attains line resolution characteristics of photoresist methods with processing related to screen printing. The surface to be processed is first coated with a thin layer of photoresist material. Upon exposure to ultraviolet light through a suitable mask, the resist in the non-pattern area cross-links and becomes hard. The unexposed pattern areas remain tacky. The conductor material is applied inmore » the form of a dry mixture of metal and frit particles which adhere to the tacky pattern area. The assemblage is then fired to ash the photopolymer and sinter the fritted conductor powder. Effort was concentrated during this period on the establishment, optimization and identification of problem areas of the MIDFILM process. Progress is reported. (WHK)« less

  13. Optimal Real-time Dispatch for Integrated Energy Systems

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Firestone, Ryan Michael

    This report describes the development and application of a dispatch optimization algorithm for integrated energy systems (IES) comprised of on-site cogeneration of heat and electricity, energy storage devices, and demand response opportunities. This work is intended to aid commercial and industrial sites in making use of modern computing power and optimization algorithms to make informed, near-optimal decisions under significant uncertainty and complex objective functions. The optimization algorithm uses a finite set of randomly generated future scenarios to approximate the true, stochastic future; constraints are included that prevent solutions to this approximate problem from deviating from solutions to the actual problem.more » The algorithm is then expressed as a mixed integer linear program, to which a powerful commercial solver is applied. A case study of United States Postal Service Processing and Distribution Centers (P&DC) in four cities and under three different electricity tariff structures is conducted to (1) determine the added value of optimal control to a cogeneration system over current, heuristic control strategies; (2) determine the value of limited electric load curtailment opportunities, with and without cogeneration; and (3) determine the trade-off between least-cost and least-carbon operations of a cogeneration system. Key results for the P&DC sites studied include (1) in locations where the average electricity and natural gas prices suggest a marginally profitable cogeneration system, optimal control can add up to 67% to the value of the cogeneration system; optimal control adds less value in locations where cogeneration is more clearly profitable; (2) optimal control under real-time pricing is (a) more complicated than under typical time-of-use tariffs and (b) at times necessary to make cogeneration economic at all; (3) limited electric load curtailment opportunities can be more valuable as a compliment to the cogeneration system than alone; and (4) most of the trade-off between least-cost and least-carbon IES is determined during the system design stage; for the IES system considered, there is little difference between least-cost control and least-carbon control.« less

  14. Outsourcing lead optimization: the eye of the storm.

    PubMed

    Clark, David E

    2011-02-01

    This article is the third in a series examining the evolution of the market for outsourced lead optimization services and covers developments from late 2006 to the present. Following an analysis of the significant events that have impacted the marketplace in recent years, a brief survey of the growing number of companies offering lead optimization services is presented. Subsequently, three notable trends that can be perceived in this highly dynamic field are discussed: the continuing rise of outsourcing companies in Asia and Eastern Europe, the increase in deals with not-for-profit organizations and, finally, the emergence of a variety of business models under which outsourced work is conducted. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  15. Grassland biodiversity can pay.

    PubMed

    Binder, Seth; Isbell, Forest; Polasky, Stephen; Catford, Jane A; Tilman, David

    2018-04-10

    The biodiversity-ecosystem functioning (BEF) literature provides strong evidence of the biophysical basis for the potential profitability of greater diversity but does not address questions of optimal management. BEF studies typically focus on the ecosystem outputs produced by randomly assembled communities that only differ in their biodiversity levels, measured by indices such as species richness. Landholders, however, do not randomly select species to plant; they choose particular species that collectively maximize profits. As such, their interest is not in comparing the average performance of randomly assembled communities at each level of biodiversity but rather comparing the best-performing communities at each diversity level. Assessing the best-performing mixture requires detailed accounting of species' identities and relative abundances. It also requires accounting for the financial cost of individual species' seeds, and the economic value of changes in the quality, quantity, and variability of the species' collective output-something that existing multifunctionality indices fail to do. This study presents an assessment approach that integrates the relevant factors into a single, coherent framework. It uses ecological production functions to inform an economic model consistent with the utility-maximizing decisions of a potentially risk-averse private landowner. We demonstrate the salience and applicability of the framework using data from an experimental grassland to estimate production relationships for hay and carbon storage. For that case, our results suggest that even a risk-neutral, profit-maximizing landowner would favor a highly diverse mix of species, with optimal species richness falling between the low levels currently found in commercial grasslands and the high levels found in natural grasslands.

  16. 10 CFR 800.001 - Purpose.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... such enterprises in participating fully in research, development, demonstration and contract activities...-tier subcontractors of DOE operating contractors in furtherance of the research, development... extent funds are provided in advance in appropriation acts. This regulation implements the authority for...

  17. 10 CFR 800.001 - Purpose.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... such enterprises in participating fully in research, development, demonstration and contract activities...-tier subcontractors of DOE operating contractors in furtherance of the research, development... extent funds are provided in advance in appropriation acts. This regulation implements the authority for...

  18. 48 CFR 52.219-25 - Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Program-Disadvantaged Status and Reporting.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ..., teaming arrangement members, and subcontractors through use of a provision substantially the same as... Administration by using the Central Contractor Registration database or by contacting the SBA's Office of Small...

  19. 42 CFR 51c.503 - Application.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... any laborer or mechanic employed by any contractor or subcontractor in the performance of work on the... receive compensation at a rate not less than one and one-half times his basic rate of pay for all hours...

  20. 42 CFR 51c.503 - Application.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... any laborer or mechanic employed by any contractor or subcontractor in the performance of work on the... receive compensation at a rate not less than one and one-half times his basic rate of pay for all hours...

  1. 42 CFR 51c.503 - Application.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... any laborer or mechanic employed by any contractor or subcontractor in the performance of work on the... receive compensation at a rate not less than one and one-half times his basic rate of pay for all hours...

  2. 42 CFR 51c.503 - Application.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... any laborer or mechanic employed by any contractor or subcontractor in the performance of work on the... receive compensation at a rate not less than one and one-half times his basic rate of pay for all hours...

  3. 77 FR 22312 - Access by EPA Contractors to Confidential Business Information Related to the Greenhouse Gas...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-04-13

    ... you used. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns and suggest alternatives. Explain your... International subcontractors: Abt Associates, 55 Wheeler Street, Cambridge, MA 02138-1168; AMEC, 4021 Stirrup...

  4. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Trackbed Moisture Sensor System

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2018-02-01

    In this initial phase, conducted from March 2015 through December 2016, Vista Clara and its subcontractor Zetica Rail successfully developed and tested a man-portable, non-invasive spot-check nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) moisture sensor that dire...

  5. RANT Building Upgrade Pre-Proposal Meeting

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Thompson, Melinda Ann; Meadows, Darren W.; Rodriguez, Roger R.

    This presentation is designed to provide an overview of the project scope and RFP; discuss interfaces for the construction project; highlight key expectations and deliverables from the subcontractor; and address questions and provide clarification of the project scope.

  6. An integrated portfolio optimisation procedure based on data envelopment analysis, artificial bee colony algorithm and genetic programming

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hsu, Chih-Ming

    2014-12-01

    Portfolio optimisation is an important issue in the field of investment/financial decision-making and has received considerable attention from both researchers and practitioners. However, besides portfolio optimisation, a complete investment procedure should also include the selection of profitable investment targets and determine the optimal timing for buying/selling the investment targets. In this study, an integrated procedure using data envelopment analysis (DEA), artificial bee colony (ABC) and genetic programming (GP) is proposed to resolve a portfolio optimisation problem. The proposed procedure is evaluated through a case study on investing in stocks in the semiconductor sub-section of the Taiwan stock market for 4 years. The potential average 6-month return on investment of 9.31% from 1 November 2007 to 31 October 2011 indicates that the proposed procedure can be considered a feasible and effective tool for making outstanding investment plans, and thus making profits in the Taiwan stock market. Moreover, it is a strategy that can help investors to make profits even when the overall stock market suffers a loss.

  7. Maximizing the value of limited irrigation water: USDA researchers study how producers on limited irrigation can save water and be profitable

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Water shortages are responsible for the greatest crop losses around the world and are expected to worsen. In arid areas where agriculture is dependent on irrigation, various forms of deficit irrigation management have been suggested to optimize crop yields for available soil water. The relationshi...

  8. Essays on Information Technology (IT), Governance and Clouds

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Vithayathil, Joseph

    2013-01-01

    Why do some firms organize their IT departments as profit centers whereas other firms organize IT as a cost center? Due to information asymmetry regarding the cost and demand for IT, the firm is unable to achieve the first best outcome in terms of optimizing the value from IT services. Two commonly used organizational models for the IT department…

  9. Setting the Research and Practice Agenda for Anxiety in Children and Adolescence: A Topic Comes of Age

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kendall, Philip C.; Ollendick, Thomas H.

    2004-01-01

    Select research and practice issues that merit further attention are described. Specifically, we argue that the pathways for profitable research include studies of normative development, assessment and diagnostic considerations, the role of parents, and the ways to optimize the conduct and evaluation of treatment. At present, the field is too…

  10. And never the twain shall meet? Integrating revenue cycle and supply chain functions.

    PubMed

    Matjucha, Karen A; Chung, Bianca

    2008-09-01

    Four initial steps to implementing a profit and loss management model are: Identify the supplies clinicians are using. Empower stakeholders to remove items that are not commonly used. Reduce factors driving wasted product. Review the chargemaster to ensure that supplies used in selected procedures are represented. Strategically set prices that optimize maximum allowable reimbursement.

  11. Digital Piracy: An Assessment of Consumer Piracy Risk and Optimal Supply Chain Coordination Strategies

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Jeong, Bong-Keun

    2010-01-01

    Digital piracy and the emergence of new distribution channels have changed the dynamics of supply chain coordination and created many interesting problems. There has been increased attention to understanding the phenomenon of consumer piracy behavior and its impact on supply chain profitability. The purpose of this dissertation is to better…

  12. Delineation of site-specific management units in a saline region at the Venice Lagoon margin, Italy, using soil reflectance and apparent electrical conductivity

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Site-specific crop management utilizes site-specific management units (SSMUs) to apply inputs when, where, and in the amount needed to increase food productivity, optimize resource utilization, increase profitability, and reduce detrimental environmental impacts. It is the objective of this study to...

  13. The nexus between OSH and subcontracting.

    PubMed

    Nunes, Isabel L

    2012-01-01

    Subcontracting of specialized functions to external companies (e.g. cleaning or maintenance) is actually very common within several industries. These external companies' are called contractors and their contracting is often designated as outsourcing. Frequently contractors involve other companies (the sub-contractors) to assist them in fulfilling the contract, resulting in a complex chain of organizations focused on interchange of work - the contracting chain. Therefore in the same work site can coexist workers form the client-company and workers from the contractors and/or subcontractors. Since contractors perform their job in client's facilities, they can be exposed to hazards that are unknown to them. On other hand, workers of the client company can also be exposed to hazardous situations derived from the work performed by the contractors. The paper discusses how adequate occupational safety and health conditions can be assured when dealing with this kind of dynamic labor networks. Two case-studies and several examples coming from international literature will be presented.

  14. Overview 2003 of NASA Multi-D Stirling Convertor Code Development and DOE and NASA Stirling Regenerator R and D Efforts

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tew, Roy; Ibrahim, Mounir; Simon, Terry; Mantell, Susan; Gedeon, David; Qiu, Songgang; Wood, Gary

    2004-01-01

    This paper win report on continuation through the third year of a NASA grant for multi-dimensional Stirling CFD code development and validation; continuation through the third and final year of a Department of Energy, Golden Field Office (DOE), regenerator research effort and a NASA grant for continuation of the effort through two additional years; and a new NASA Research Award for design, microfabrication and testing of a "Next Generation Stirling Engine Regenerator." Cleveland State University (CSU) is the lead organization for all three efforts, with the University of Minnesota (UMN) and Gedeon Associates as subcontractors. The Stirling Technology Company and Sun power, Inc. acted as unfunded consultants or participants through the third years of both the NASA multi-D code development and DOE regenerator research efforts; they win both be subcontractors on the new regenerator microfabrication contract.

  15. Enhancement of Terrestrial Carbon Sinks through the Reclamation of Abandoned Mined Lands

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Gary Kronrad

    2004-10-31

    This project will determine the optimal forest management method to employ for each of the major commercial tree species so that profitability of timber production only or the combination of timber production and carbon sequestration is maximized. The goal of this project is to achieve DOE's long-term cost goal of sequestering carbon at $10 or less per ton. Because the potential of a forest ecosystem to sequester carbon depends on the species, site quality and management regimes utilized, this project will determine how to optimize carbon sequestration by determining how to optimally manage each species, given a range of sitemore » qualities and economic variables. This project also will determine the effects of a carbon credit market on the method and profitability of forest management, the cost of sequestering carbon, and the amount of carbon that can be sequestered. Information from this project will be used to produce user-friendly manuals which will contain economic and biological data for each of the species. These manuals will inform landowners and forest managers how to manage forests for timber and/or carbon credits, how to maximize financial returns, how much money can be earned, and how much carbon can be stored. Manuals will be disseminated through state and federal agricultural extension services and the forest service of each state, and will be published in forest landowner magazines.« less

  16. Enhancement of Terrestrial Carbon Sinks through the Reclamation of Abandoned Mined Lands

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Gary Kronrad

    2006-01-31

    This project will determine the optimal forest management method to employ for each of the major commercial tree species so that profitability of timber production only or the combination of timber production and carbon sequestration is maximized. The goal of this project is to achieve DOE's long-term cost goal of sequestering carbon at $10 or less per ton. Because the potential of a forest ecosystem to sequester carbon depends on the species, site quality and management regimes utilized, this project will determine how to optimize carbon sequestration by determining how to optimally manage each species, given a range of sitemore » qualities and economic variables. This project also will determine the effects of a carbon credit market on the method and profitability of forest management, the cost of sequestering carbon, and the amount of carbon that can be sequestered. Information from this project will be used to produce user-friendly manuals which will contain economic and biological data for each of the species. These manuals will inform landowners and forest managers how to manage forests for timber and/or carbon credits, how to maximize financial returns, how much money can be earned, and how much carbon can be stored. Manuals will be disseminated through state and federal agricultural extension services and the forest service of each state, and will be published in forest landowner magazines.« less

  17. Enhancement of Terrestrial Carbon Sinks through the Reclamation of Abandoned Mined Lands

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Gary Kronrad

    2005-04-30

    This project will determine the optimal forest management method to employ for each of the major commercial tree species so that profitability of timber production only or the combination of timber production and carbon sequestration is maximized. The goal of this project is to achieve DOE's long-term cost goal of sequestering carbon at $10 or less per ton. Because the potential of a forest ecosystem to sequester carbon depends on the species, site quality and management regimes utilized, this project will determine how to optimize carbon sequestration by determining how to optimally manage each species, given a range of sitemore » qualities and economic variables. This project also will determine the effects of a carbon credit market on the method and profitability of forest management, the cost of sequestering carbon, and the amount of carbon that can be sequestered. Information from this project will be used to produce user-friendly manuals which will contain economic and biological data for each of the species. These manuals will inform landowners and forest managers how to manage forests for timber and/or carbon credits, how to maximize financial returns, how much money can be earned, and how much carbon can be stored. Manuals will be disseminated through state and federal agricultural extension services and the forest service of each state, and will be published in forest landowner magazines.« less

  18. Enhancement of Terrestrial Carbon Sinks throught the Reclamation of Abandoned Mined Lands

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Gary Kronrad

    2006-06-30

    This project will determine the optimal forest management method to employ for each of the major commercial tree species so that profitability of timber production only or the combination of timber production and carbon sequestration is maximized. The goal of this project is to achieve DOE's long-term cost goal of sequestering carbon at $10 or less per ton. Because the potential of a forest ecosystem to sequester carbon depends on the species, site quality and management regimes utilized, this project will determine how to optimize carbon sequestration by determining how to optimally manage each species, given a range of sitemore » qualities and economic variables. This project also will determine the effects of a carbon credit market on the method and profitability of forest management, the cost of sequestering carbon, and the amount of carbon that can be sequestered. Information from this project will be used to produce user-friendly manuals which will contain economic and biological data for each of the species. These manuals will inform landowners and forest managers how to manage forests for timber and/or carbon credits, how to maximize financial returns, how much money can be earned, and how much carbon can be stored. Manuals will be disseminated through state and federal agricultural extension services and the forest service of each state, and will be published in forest landowner magazines.« less

  19. 49 CFR 26.11 - What records do recipients keep and report?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... as accurate data as possible about the universe of DBE and non-DBE contractors and subcontractors who... conduct a survey that will result in statistically sound estimate of the universe of DBE and non-DBE...

  20. 49 CFR 26.11 - What records do recipients keep and report?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... as accurate data as possible about the universe of DBE and non-DBE contractors and subcontractors who... conduct a survey that will result in statistically sound estimate of the universe of DBE and non-DBE...

  1. 49 CFR 26.11 - What records do recipients keep and report?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... as accurate data as possible about the universe of DBE and non-DBE contractors and subcontractors who... conduct a survey that will result in statistically sound estimate of the universe of DBE and non-DBE...

  2. 49 CFR 26.11 - What records do recipients keep and report?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... as accurate data as possible about the universe of DBE and non-DBE contractors and subcontractors who... conduct a survey that will result in statistically sound estimate of the universe of DBE and non-DBE...

  3. 7 CFR 4279.281 - Conditions precedent to issuance of loan note guarantee.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... facility and to provide the required security. For example, when a site is for major structures for utility... certify to the lender that all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors in the...

  4. 7 CFR 4279.281 - Conditions precedent to issuance of loan note guarantee.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... facility and to provide the required security. For example, when a site is for major structures for utility... certify to the lender that all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors in the...

  5. 7 CFR 4279.281 - Conditions precedent to issuance of loan note guarantee.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... facility and to provide the required security. For example, when a site is for major structures for utility... certify to the lender that all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors in the...

  6. Contracting with the Frederick National Laboratory | Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research

    Cancer.gov

    Our Acquisitions Directorate supports the national laboratory with high quality products and services to achieve its national mission. In addition to engaging large subcontractors, we are also committed to working with small businesses, minority- and

  7. 48 CFR 3.502-2 - Subcontractor kickbacks.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    .... 8703(b)). [52 FR 6121, Feb. 27, 1987; 52 FR 9989, Mar. 27, 1987, as amended at 53 FR 34226, Sept. 2... contract price charged by a prime contractor to the United States. (b) Imposes criminal penalties on any...

  8. 48 CFR 22.503 - Policy.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Policy. 22.503 Section 22.503 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS... require multiple construction contractors and/or subcontractors employing workers in multiple crafts or...

  9. Procurement | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    Procurement Procurement The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) offers numerous procurement source of biofuels. Register Your Small Business NREL welcomes small, disadvantaged, HUBzone, veteran -owned, and women-owned business vendors and subcontractors. Register today

  10. 48 CFR 22.406-10 - Disposition of disputes concerning construction contract labor standards enforcement.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... officer a complete statement of the reasons for the disagreement with the findings. (d) The contracting...-Bacon Act that constitute a disregard of its obligations to employees or subcontractors under section 3...

  11. 42 CFR 480.101 - Scope and definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... ORGANIZATION REVIEW INFORMATION Utilization and Quality Control Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs... Quality Control Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) (or the review component of a QIO subcontractor) in... sought under Title XVIII of the Act. Aggregate statistical data means any utilization, admission...

  12. 25 CFR 900.235 - What personal conflicts of interest must the standards of conduct regulate?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... (including a subcontractor) from participating in the review, analysis, or inspection of trust transactions involving an entity in which such persons have a direct financial interest or an employment relationship. It...

  13. 48 CFR 1019.202-70-4 - General policy.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS Policies 1019.202-70-4 General policy. (a) Eligible prime... subcontractors. (b) A firm's status as a protégé under a Treasury contract must not have an effect on the firm's...

  14. On the use of genetic algorithm to optimize industrial assets lifecycle management under safety and budget constraints

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lonchampt, J.; Fessart, K.

    2013-07-01

    The purpose of this paper is to describe the method and tool dedicated to optimize investments planning for industrial assets. These investments may either be preventive maintenance tasks, asset enhancements or logistic investments such as spare parts purchases. The two methodological points to investigate in such an issue are: 1. The measure of the profitability of a portfolio of investments 2. The selection and planning of an optimal set of investments 3. The measure of the risk of a portfolio of investments The measure of the profitability of a set of investments in the IPOP tool is synthesised in themore » Net Present Value indicator. The NPV is the sum of the differences of discounted cash flows (direct costs, forced outages...) between the situations with and without a given investment. These cash flows are calculated through a pseudo-Markov reliability model representing independently the components of the industrial asset and the spare parts inventories. The component model has been widely discussed over the years but the spare part model is a new one based on some approximations that will be discussed. This model, referred as the NPV function, takes for input an investments portfolio and gives its NPV. The second issue is to optimize the NPV. If all investments were independent, this optimization would be an easy calculation, unfortunately there are two sources of dependency. The first one is introduced by the spare part model, as if components are indeed independent in their reliability model, the fact that several components use the same inventory induces a dependency. The second dependency comes from economic, technical or logistic constraints, such as a global maintenance budget limit or a safety requirement limiting the residual risk of failure of a component or group of component, making the aggregation of individual optimum not necessary feasible. The algorithm used to solve such a difficult optimization problem is a genetic algorithm. After a description of the features of the software a test case is presented showing the influence of the optimization algorithm parameters on its efficiency to find an optimal investments planning. (authors)« less

  15. Quantum oligopoly

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lo, C. F.; Kiang, D.

    2003-12-01

    Based upon a modification of Li et al.'s "minimal" quantization rules (Phys. Lett. A306(2002) 73), we investigate the quantum version of the Cournot and Bertrand oligopoly. In the Cournot oligopoly, the profit of each of the N firms at the Nash equilibrium point rises monotonically with the measure of the quantum entanglement. Only at maximal entanglement, however, does the Nash equilibrium point coincide with the Pareto optimal point. In the Bertrand case, the Bertrand Paradox remains for finite entanglement (i.e., the perfectly competitive stage is reached for any N>=2), whereas with maximal entanglement each of the N firms will still have a non-zero shared profit. Hence, the Bertrand Paradox is completely resolved. Furthermore, a perfectly competitive market is reached asymptotically for N → ∞ in both the Cournot and Bertrand oligopoly.

  16. The receiving simplification partnership: a win-win approach to better service and higher profitability.

    PubMed

    Beech, W D; Berg, R C

    1999-02-01

    To achieve competitive advantage, customers and suppliers are increasingly forming logistics partnerships to improve supply chain performance and reduce costs. The partnerships are typically motivated by the need to solve a particular problem, but with attention and open communication, new program ideas can develop, sometimes even breakthrough concepts. During the course of their partnership, Avery Dennison and United Stationers created a program that dramatically simplifies and speeds receiving and put-away of shipments with the aim of reducing workloads, improving service, and increasing profitability. The program involves optimizing order quantity increments to full-pallet, layer, and case volumes based on demand and warehouse configurations. Within six weeks, the results included a 50 percent reduction in shipment line items and 92 percent fewer put-away pieces, despite unchanged inventory levels.

  17. Spatiotemporal analysis of prior appropriations water calls

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Elbakidze, Levan; Shen, Xiaozhe; Taylor, Garth; Mooney, SiâN.

    2012-06-01

    A spatiotemporal model is developed to examine prior appropriations-based water curtailment in Idaho's Snake River Plain Aquifer. Using a 100 year horizon, prior appropriations-based curtailment supplemented with optimized water use reductions is shown to produce a spatial distribution of water use reductions that differs from that produced by regulatory curtailment based strictly on initial water right assignments. Discounted profits over 100 years of crop production are up to 7% higher when allocation is optimized. Total pumping over 100 years is 0.3%, 3%, and 40% higher under 1, 10, and 100 year prior appropriations-based regulatory curtailment, respectively.

  18. Analysis of an inventory model for both linearly decreasing demand and holding cost

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Malik, A. K.; Singh, Parth Raj; Tomar, Ajay; Kumar, Satish; Yadav, S. K.

    2016-03-01

    This study proposes the analysis of an inventory model for linearly decreasing demand and holding cost for non-instantaneous deteriorating items. The inventory model focuses on commodities having linearly decreasing demand without shortages. The holding cost doesn't remain uniform with time due to any form of variation in the time value of money. Here we consider that the holding cost decreases with respect to time. The optimal time interval for the total profit and the optimal order quantity are determined. The developed inventory model is pointed up through a numerical example. It also includes the sensitivity analysis.

  19. [Complexity level simulation in the German diagnosis-related groups system: the financial effect of coding of comorbidity diagnostics in urology].

    PubMed

    Wenke, A; Gaber, A; Hertle, L; Roeder, N; Pühse, G

    2012-07-01

    Precise and complete coding of diagnoses and procedures is of value for optimizing revenues within the German diagnosis-related groups (G-DRG) system. The implementation of effective structures for coding is cost-intensive. The aim of this study was to prove whether higher costs can be refunded by complete acquisition of comorbidities and complications. Calculations were based on DRG data of the Department of Urology, University Hospital of Münster, Germany, covering all patients treated in 2009. The data were regrouped and subjected to a process of simulation (increase and decrease of patient clinical complexity levels, PCCL) with the help of recently developed software. In urology a strong dependency of quantity and quality of coding of secondary diagnoses on PCCL and subsequent profits was found. Departmental budgetary procedures can be optimized when coding is effective. The new simulation tool can be a valuable aid to improve profits available for distribution. Nevertheless, calculation of time use and financial needs by this procedure are subject to specific departmental terms and conditions. Completeness of coding of (secondary) diagnoses must be the ultimate administrative goal of patient case documentation in urology.

  20. 48 CFR 908.7106 - Security cabinets.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ....7106 Section 908.7106 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY COMPETITION ACQUISITION PLANNING REQUIRED SOURCES OF SUPPLIES AND SERVICES Acquisition of Special Items 908.7106 Security...) Fixed-price prime contractors and lower tier subcontractors may use GSA acquisition sources for security...

  1. 48 CFR 652.236-70 - Accident Prevention.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ..., toxic, reactive or unstable, or any operations which creates any kind of contamination inside an... be responsible for its subcontractors' compliance with this clause. (d) Written program. Before... develop a mutual understanding relative to administration of the overall safety program. (e) Notification...

  2. 78 FR 17176 - Federal Acquisition Regulation; Defense Base Act

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-03-20

    ... DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE... Regulation; Defense Base Act AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA... subcontractor responsibilities to obtain workers' compensation insurance or to qualify as a self-insurer, and...

  3. 48 CFR 47.505 - Construction contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Construction contracts. 47... MANAGEMENT TRANSPORTATION Ocean Transportation by U.S.-Flag Vessels 47.505 Construction contracts. (a) Except as stated in paragraph (b) below, construction contractors, including subcontractors and suppliers...

  4. 48 CFR 47.505 - Construction contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Construction contracts. 47... MANAGEMENT TRANSPORTATION Ocean Transportation by U.S.-Flag Vessels 47.505 Construction contracts. (a) Except as stated in paragraph (b) below, construction contractors, including subcontractors and suppliers...

  5. 48 CFR 47.505 - Construction contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Construction contracts. 47... MANAGEMENT TRANSPORTATION Ocean Transportation by U.S.-Flag Vessels 47.505 Construction contracts. (a) Except as stated in paragraph (b) below, construction contractors, including subcontractors and suppliers...

  6. 48 CFR 47.505 - Construction contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Construction contracts. 47... MANAGEMENT TRANSPORTATION Ocean Transportation by U.S.-Flag Vessels 47.505 Construction contracts. (a) Except as stated in paragraph (b) below, construction contractors, including subcontractors and suppliers...

  7. 48 CFR 19.1202-4 - Procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    .... (a) The solicitation shall describe the SDB participation evaluation factor or subfactor. The... total target for SDB participation by the contractor, including joint venture partners, and team members, and a total target for SDB participation by subcontractors. The solicitation shall require an SDB...

  8. You Can Make Your Facilities Services Provider Part of the College Community.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ledbetter, Randy

    2002-01-01

    Discusses five attributes that, when well implemented, form the framework for successful relationships between college administration and services companies: reporting relationships, Quality of Service (QoS) measures, formal reports and reviews, employee relations, and subcontractor relations. (EV)

  9. 48 CFR 19.1202-4 - Procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    .... (a) The solicitation shall describe the SDB participation evaluation factor or subfactor. The... total target for SDB participation by the contractor, including joint venture partners, and team members, and a total target for SDB participation by subcontractors. The solicitation shall require an SDB...

  10. 48 CFR 19.1202-4 - Procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    .... (a) The solicitation shall describe the SDB participation evaluation factor or subfactor. The... total target for SDB participation by the contractor, including joint venture partners, and team members, and a total target for SDB participation by subcontractors. The solicitation shall require an SDB...

  11. 48 CFR 19.1202-4 - Procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    .... (a) The solicitation shall describe the SDB participation evaluation factor or subfactor. The... total target for SDB participation by the contractor, including joint venture partners, and team members, and a total target for SDB participation by subcontractors. The solicitation shall require an SDB...

  12. 48 CFR 19.1202-4 - Procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    .... (a) The solicitation shall describe the SDB participation evaluation factor or subfactor. The... total target for SDB participation by the contractor, including joint venture partners, and team members, and a total target for SDB participation by subcontractors. The solicitation shall require an SDB...

  13. 48 CFR 3.908-3 - Policy.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Policy. 3.908-3 Section 3.908-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL IMPROPER BUSINESS... Policy. (a) Contractors and subcontractors are prohibited from discharging, demoting, or otherwise...

  14. 75 FR 24688 - Access to Confidential Business Information by Guident Technologies Inc.’s Identified Subcontractor

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-05-05

    ... show photographic identification, pass through a metal detector, and sign the EPA visitor log. All visitor bags are processed through an X-ray machine and subject to search. Visitors will be provided an...

  15. 76 FR 77816 - Access to Confidential Business Information by Guident Technologies, Inc. and Subcontractor...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-12-14

    ... (202) 566-0280. Docket visitors are required to show photographic identification, pass through a metal detector, and sign the EPA visitor log. All visitor bags are processed through an X-ray machine and subject...

  16. 25 CFR 273.36 - Eligible subcontractors.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR INDIAN SELF-DETERMINATION AND EDUCATION ASSISTANCE... to other than tribal organizations, States, school districts and Indian corporations. However, tribal organizations, States, school districts, and Indian corporations receiving funds under this part may use the...

  17. 25 CFR 273.36 - Eligible subcontractors.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR INDIAN SELF-DETERMINATION AND EDUCATION ASSISTANCE... to other than tribal organizations, States, school districts and Indian corporations. However, tribal organizations, States, school districts, and Indian corporations receiving funds under this part may use the...

  18. DEMONSTRATION OF NO-VOC/NO-HAP WOOD FURNITURE COATING SYSTEM

    EPA Science Inventory

    The United States Environmental Protection Agency has contracted with AeroVironment Environmental Services, Inc. and its subcontractor, Adhesives Coating Co., to develop and demonstrate a no-VOC (volatile organic compound)/no-HAP (hazardous air pollutant) wood furniture coating s...

  19. Development of Hydrogen Education Programs for Government Officials

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Baxter, Shannon; Keller, Russ

    1. Subcontractor/Technical Subject Matter Expert (Tasks 1-3) 2. Technical lead for LFG cleanup and hydrogen production systems Support for Feasibility Study 3. Technical Lead for Feasibility Study Coordination of site preparation activities for all project equipment 4. Host site

  20. 48 CFR 209.571-1 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ...-7009, Organizational Conflict of Interest—Major Defense Acquisition Program. “Pre-Major Defense... than subcontractors) operations; (I) Developing test requirements and evaluating test data; (J) Developing work statements (but see paragraph (ii)(B) of this definition). (ii) Does not include— (A) Design...

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