Pentagon to Rebid $40 Billion Air Force Contract

[spanone]

my cynicism of bu$hco tells me we'll never know the real story


The Pentagon said today that it will rebid one of its largest programs -- a $40 billion contract to build a fleet of new aerial refueling tankers for the Air Force, essentially starting from scratch on a years-delayed deal to replace the service's aging aircraft.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced today that John J. Young Jr., defense undersecretary for acquisition, technology and logistics, will oversee the competition and he wants it done quickly. The Air Force earlier this year awarded the contract to a partnership of Northrop Grumman and European Aeronautic Defence and Space, the parent of Airbus, but rival Boeing protested the decision as unfair.

Some defense analysts said they are skeptical that the Pentagon could rebid the complicated contract before year's end, and many anticipated that it would likely get kicked to the next administration, especially given that Gates recently fired the Air Force secretary and his chief of staff after questioning their leadership.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/09/AR2008070901767_pf.html

[Ian David]

1. Which is the company that bribed McCain? Airbus or Boeing? n/t

[rusty_parts2001]

2. Lockheed

[raebrek]

3. Did any other manufacturers protest the process as unfair? n/t