"In a statement issued this week, ULA said it is “the only government certified launch provider that meets all of the unique . . . requirements that are critical to supporting our troops and keeping our country safe.”"

Wow. Unique requirements that were no doubt co-written by the only party that can provide them.

If the requirements are unique that is still no reason to go no-bid, after all it might be possible for another party to re-tool and/or adapt to those requirement and still beat the only party currently able to supply.

Elon Musk makes a good point when he says that he's willing to lose but he wants the right to bid.