Sessions Fights For Level Playing Field In Tanker Contest

Alabama Mobile In a speech today on the senate floor Senator Jeff Sessions called on the Air Force to share Boeing's pricing data with Northrop Grumman/EADS.

by Jamie Burch

Published: Tue, October 06, 2009 - 12:32 pm CST Last Updated: Tue, October 06, 2009 - 12:40 pm CST

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Jeff Sessions took his fight for a level playing field in the $40 billion tanker contest to the Senate floor.

After Boeing protested last year's win by Northrop Grumman and EADS, the Department of Defense showed them NG/EADS' pricing information. In fact, the DOD says it's customary for the winning proposal to be shared with other competitors. But in most cases, the result of the competition is not up in the air.

During a speech Tuesday, Sessions called on the Air Force to share Boeing's pricing data with Northrop Grumman/EADS.

“The Air Force ... certainly can’t take Northrop’s pricing data back—it’s already been given to Boeing. It’s too late for that. There is a simple fix to this problem. Both competitors should have the pricing data from the last competition. I think that would be the way to level the playing field. . . . It’s the right way to go forward with [replacing] the aging tanker fleet.”

Many local eyes are on every step of the tanker deal because Mobile could benefit greatly from a Northrop win. Northrop and its European partner EADS promised to assemble the tankers at Brookley Field and put thousands to work.

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sheltiedad Says:

Tue, Oct 06, 2009 at 1:55 pm

It is well and good that Senator Sessions is speaking out in the tanker war. We need a bull dog to keep the contest legal and honest. Going against the Boeing supporters with all the corrupt politics up to the Obama level will not win him any friends in Congress, but it is a fight worth fighting.

Why are we not hearing from our fellow Gulf Coast representatives? Mississippi, Florida, as well as Alabama will all benefit from this contract.

ickthus Says:

Tue, Oct 06, 2009 at 1:33 pm

It is well you have questions and concerns but I question the way you raise your concerns. A phone call or a day in his office to see for yourself would serve you better than venting it here. Fight for the good fair fight Jeff!

Rachel Says:

Tue, Oct 06, 2009 at 1:01 pm

Mr.Sessions is this all you care about?I respect the fact you are trying to get this for Mobile but your not standing against this ridiculous take over of health care.Mr.Sessions how do we know the illegals will not show up and run off the Americans from these jobs TK?