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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   Related Stories • Will Boeing walk away from the tanker bid? 8/12/08 • Boeing gets major boost in Air Force tanker battle 6/19/08 • Everett 767 workers hopeful after GAO weighs in on tanker 6/19/08 • GAO ruling unlikely to resolve tanker debate 6/9/08 • Lawmakers, Boeing unions protest tanker deal in D.C. 4/17/08 • Alabama's top Democrat breaks ranks to defend tanker contract 4/4/08 • Northrop says GAO dismissed its challenge to Boeing's tanker protest 4/2/08 • Northrop files motion to dismiss Boeing's tanker protest 3/26/08 • Air Force skewed tanker deal, Boeing claims 3/19/08 • Congressional allies have a tough task blocking the Air Force tanker deal 3/19/08 • Boeing says Air Force changed tanker rules to favor Northrop, EADS 3/18/08 • Legislature adjourns without Senate vote on Air Force tanker 3/14/08 • Boeing rival says Congress shouldn't interfere in Air Force tanker award 3/13/08 • Boeing formally protests Air Force tanker award 3/11/08 • Boeing sets stage for protest of tanker award 3/10/08   CONTACT THE HERALD Mike Benbow, Business Editor benbow@heraldnet.com   Published: Wednesday, July 9, 2008 Tanker bid: Fast reply a good sign for Boeing? It may mean the Air Force plans to reopen the competition. By Michelle Dunlop Herald Writer EVERETT -- The Pentagon is expected to make public today whether the Air Force will rebid a $35 billion Air Force tanker contract, a move that could keep the Boeing Co.'s prospects alive. The decision, which Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday would come soon, was expected today because key lawmakers were apprised by the Air Force on Tuesday afternoon of a pending announcement, according to congressional staff members. The expected announcement comes nearly three weeks after government auditors said Boeing could have beat out Northrop Grumman and EADS for the contract had it not been for significant errors made by the Air Force. The independent investigators recommended the Air Force reopen the competition. The quick reply from the Air Force, which had 60 days to respond, could mean that the agency simply plans to follow the recommendations, said Richard Aboulafia, an aerospace analyst with the Teal Group. The Government Accountability Office's ruling created immense pressure from Congress to start the process over, he said. Boeing initially had been expected to win the competition with its Everett-assembled KC-767 tanker. Northrop and EADS pitched their KC-30, based off an Airbus commercial aircraft. Boeing successfully protested its loss to the GAO, citing irregularities in the bidding process. Gates fired two top Air Force officials just before the GAO issued its ruling. The Senate has yet to confirm Gates' recommendation for Air Force secretary. And Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., has said the Senate could block Gates' choice if the Air Force doesn't rebid the contract. On Tuesday, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., introduced a Senate resolution calling on the Pentagon to rebid the flawed contract. "The GAO's decision was clear, and today we are reiterating that message so that the Pentagon knows there is no wiggle room," Murray said. The tanker deal -- one of the largest in Pentagon history -- is the first of three Air Force contracts worth up to $100 billion to replace an aging fleet of nearly 600 refueling tankers over the next 30 years. The Associated Press contributed to this article. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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