Air Force studies Boeing protest of KC-45A tanker-purchasing decision

By Purchasing Staff -- Purchasing, 3/17/2008 2:50:00 PM

The U. S. Air Force is continuing to review a formal protest from Boeing of its award for design and construction of the KC-45A air-refueling tanker to competitors Northrop Grumman and the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS), parent of Airbus.

Boeing’s official protest landed on Air Force desks March 11, just 12 days after announcement of the contract award. The Air Force valued the contract at $1.5 billion.

The contract award prompted a hearing by the Defense Subcommittee of the U. S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, at which Chairman John Murtha asked the Air Force to explain why the contract went to a team that included Airbus.

Sue Payton, Air Force acquisition executive, told the Subcommittee that the Northrop Grumman/Airbus team’s proposal provided the “best overall value to the war fighter and to every American taxpayer.” She said she couldn’t discuss the specifics of the contract-award procedures because of the review of the Boeing protest.

The Subcommittee will schedule more hearings on the subject, though it has set no timetable.

For a general description of criteria the Air Force used in evaluating potential suppliers and the bid process, click here.