Air Force sets release date for tanker RFP

[unhappycamper]

Air Force sets release date for tanker RFP
By John Reed - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Feb 10, 2010 11:49:15 EST

After months of delays, the Air Force intends to release the final request for proposals on the $35 billion KC-X tanker competition “not earlier than” Feb. 23, according to an Air Force pre-solicitation notice released Monday.

The final RFP was originally due Nov. 30. However, on Dec. 1 Northrop President and CEO Wes Bush sent a letter to Pentagon acquisition chief Ashton Carter threatening to drop out of the competition unless changes were made to the draft RFP. Bush complained that the early, cost-focused version of the solicitation heavily favored rival Boeing’s smaller, cheaper 767-based offering over Northrop’s Airbus A330-based bid.

Both competitors have also complained about the fixed-price nature of the contract, which calls for tankers to be delivered over several decades.

Soon after Bush sent his letter, the Pentagon announced that it was delaying the release of the final RFP until January so it could take the time to address complaints from KC-X competitors Boeing and Northrop Grumman-EADS. Over the last several months, high-ranking Pentagon and Air Force officials have insisted that they will make no major changes to the RFP. Just last week, Defense Secretary Robert Gates confirmed that the Pentagon will move ahead with the competition with or without Northrop’s participation.


Article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/02/airforce_tanker_bid_020910w/

[DrDan]

1. So does this mean they caved to Shelby?

Not sure if that is a bad thing as a bias toward Boeing seems like croneyism.

Guess this is just one further example of how lobbyists now run our government.

[StreetKnowledge]

2. Jeebus Priest, how many times is this gonna be bid?

Just let the military choose a winner and get on with it, already.

[madokie]

3. airbus should not be in the running,

if you ask me. Our military gear should all come from and through the hands of Americans

[StreetKnowledge]

4. I agree, but.....

I would say that it should be their call, not one influenced by a shithead like Shelby. And that could also be leverage, too. "You want to sell planes in America, start making 'em in America guys, you are short of production capacity already......"

[TexasObserver]

5. Ugh. These military branch deals are often problematic.

Each branch wants to order its own stuff, and of course, money is no object because the generals and bird colonels will often end up working for the very companies that choose to hire.

[Statistical]

6. It is a national security risk to purchase weapons from foreign entities.

Contracts like this often last decades. No idea where relations will be in a couple decades.