Key Contract (Updated)

Times are tough all over the military -- except, maybe, at Ft. Riley, KS, where the Army last week ordered what many a professional pianist might consider the pinnacle of exquisite musical instruments: A Steinway & Sons Model B grand piano, which cost the service $88,000. ("Concert preparation" before delivery is to be included, according to the Army.) A spokesman for the installation told InsideDefense.com that the piano will be used during religious services inside a new chapel being built at Ft. Riley.

That's some church piano.

Two things jump out about the choice of instrument: It had to be Steinway, and it had to be new, which is somewhat rare for that class of pianos. An Oct. 28 solicitation published on the Federal Business Opportunities website lays out a list of requirements that were pretty much copied and pasted from the Model B description on the piano maker's website, with a few tweaks.

What might have gone into the Army's decision to spend almost $90,000 on a concert-pianist grade instrument for a chapel in Ft. Riley, KS, when the service is facing for some serious cuts -- not to mention government programs writ large? We were told to stand by for more information.

UPDATE 1:40 p.m.: Ft. Riley spokesman Monte Volk maintained that the Steinway purchase represents the "best value for the government." He said buying a used grand piano wasn't an option because Army acquisition regulations cannot account for buying anything that isn't new.