Northrop Grumman Awaits Final Tanker Propsal
By
The Associated Press
Published: Fri, June 20, 2008 - 10:50 am
says an audit agency's recommendation that the service reopen
bidding on a contract to build a new generation of aerial refueling
planes almost certainly means the Air Force will fail to put the
planes into service starting in 2013.
Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne made the comments today. He
also noted that Northrop has put off groundbreaking for two
facilities that would build the aircraft.
On his final day in office, Wynne said he was disappointed by
the review conducted by the Government Accountability Office. The
GAO found "a number of significant errors" in the Air Force's
February decision to award the $35 billion contract to Northrop
Grumman and its European partner. Boeing, the loser in the bidding,
protested to the GAO.
Wynne was ousted two weeks ago by Defense Secretary Robert
Gates, along with Air Force General Michael Moseley.
Wynne said the Air Force would seek clarifications of the GAO
ruling before it proceeds with a new competition.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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