Congress upholds Boeing complaint
Watchdog says US Air Force made “significant” errors in contract decision.
Published On 19 Jun 2008
The contract for 179 aerial refuelling tankers is the first of three deals
worth up to $100bn to replace the air force’s entire tanker fleet over
the next 30 years.
worth up to $100bn to replace the air force’s entire tanker fleet over
the next 30 years.
Political controversy
Boeing lost the contract to Northrop Grumman and its European
partner, the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS),
parent of Boeing’s competitor Airbus, in February this year.
partner, the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS),
parent of Boeing’s competitor Airbus, in February this year.
But the US Air Force’s decision to award the contract to a European aircraft maker, at a time of economic upheaval and job losses in the US, caused anger within the US government.
The GAO said in its report that the air force did not respect the evaluation criteria and conducted “misleading” discussions with Boeing about its compliance with requirements.
It also said the air force made “unreasonable” cost calculations
that, when corrected, fixed Boeing as the lower bidder for the duration of the contract.
that, when corrected, fixed Boeing as the lower bidder for the duration of the contract.
Computation mistakes
Northrop Grumman and Boeing said last week the air force had made errors in awarding the contract, but Northrop said the minor “computation” mistakes should have “no impact” on the GAO’s
review.
review.
Geoff Morrell, a Pentagon spokesman, said on Tuesday that the replacement of the fleet was a “number one” priority and it stood by its decision to award the contract to Northrop Grumman and EADS.
“[The process] was fair, transparent [and] provided our war fighters with the most capable aircraft and the taxpayers the most cost-effective solution,” he said.
Source: News Agencies