By Steve Alexander Reporter
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Published: Wed, August 06, 2008 - 9:23 pm
Last Updated: Fri, August 15, 2008 - 12:19 pm
Steve Alexander
And this time, the U.S. Department of Defense is handling everything.
Director of Defense Procurement and Acquisitions Policy Shay Assad held a news conference to answer questions about the second round of bidding for the Air Force tanker contract.
He emphasized several times that Northrop-Grumman and Boeing should have no trouble understanding what the department wants in a tanker.
Assad said, "We've tried to be meticulous in insuring that the (companies) have a very clear and unambiguous understanding of the relative order of importance of our requirements."
Then, the Defense Department official took up the issue of value.
Assad said, "We will recognize value over threshold as it regards to fuel offload."
Is this good news for Mobile?
In reacting to the news conference, Northrop-Grumman spokesman Randy Belote told News Five that Northrop Grumman's KC-45 tanker is more effective and efficient in aerial refueling capability than Boeing's.
He said the KC-45 might cost more to fly from one point to another.
But Belote said since it's a larger plane, it can fly more fuel more efficiently in the long run.
Mobile Mayor Sam Jones said this round of judging should focus on the planes themselves instead of the bidding process.
Mayor Jones said, "Actually, our competitor Boeing has not built an aircraft yet. (It) has not built a tanker yet. So, they have a paper offering, we have an actual offering."
Department of Defense officials said they should finish evaluating both proposals and award the contract right around New Year's Eve.
Gov. Bob Riley
“It is my understanding the content and schedule laid out by the Pentagon not only addresses all the issues raised by the GAO but also provides the foundation for the selection of the best tanker. That is the only thing Alabama has ever insisted on. I hope Congress will not interfere with the aggressive schedule the Pentagon has established because our men and women in uniform deserve a solution to this ongoing controversy.”
Sen. Richard Shelby
“While I am still reviewing the draft Request for Proposal, it is my hope that it will address GAO's eight recommendations in an equitable manner,” said Shelby. “Moreover, I am gratified that the plan appears to bring this needed capability into the hands of our warfighters as quickly as possible. I remain committed to ensuring that this is a fair, open and transparent process that serves our men and women in uniform in the best way possible.”
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