SAIC lacked the skills and infrastructure to perform successfully as a Prime, failed to invest in competitive hiring, and was unwilling to aggressively engage the Customer to help them shape their architecture and strategic roadmap. This timidity and hubris squandered an unassailable incumbency, irrevocably damaged their reputation with a prominent US gov. customer and opened up the business area for competition. The leadership cast blame on deployed personnel who were critically understaffed and lacked necessary resources for success. The 'leadership' reverted to antiquated 'theory x' management style was disingenuous with employees and the customer and sacrificed key personnel to save face rather than take responsibility for sub-par performance. This lack of accountability and failure to back those on the ground, in the fray, was painfully evident to the workforce and Customer leadership. Even worse, SAIC leadership skated close to the line contractually and at times crossed it trying to find an easy and cheaper way to comply with requirements rather than invest for long term strategic success.