Two Years

I looked back through the emails. NDA’s were signed in October. Of 2006.

RFI’s were issued. RFQ’s too. On-site testing. Political acrimony. Threats from incumbents. Lawsuits. Negotiations.

LOTS of negotiations.

Threats to walk away. Walking away. Shady sales weasel tactics. Briefing executives. One said yes, one said no.

Last minute deals. Threats to walk away again. An executive who just wanted to be a jerk threatening to hold up the deal. Insertion of idiotic language just to appease someone’s ego.

Yelling. Screaming. Jumping up and down. Fists waved. Complaints lodged.

Last minute acquiescing. Deal making. “Oh fine!” issued more than once.

And finally.

This morning.

My Chief Procurement Officer signed the contract and placed the still damp inked document into my hands.

It’s done.

It took almost two years to complete. But it’s done.

: exhale :