Boeing: Tanker contest was 'seriously flawed'

[MrCoffee]

Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer

In formally protesting the Air Force's decision to award a tanker contract worth about $35 billion to a team that includes the parent of rival Airbus, The Boeing Co. said the competition was "seriously flawed."

The Air Force has said that it simply picked the plane that better suited its needs.

Meanwhile, The Associated Press reported Tuesday that aides to Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, lobbied last year on behalf of EADS. And Bloomberg News reported that the Loeffler Group, led by Tom Loeffler, now co-chairman of McCain's campaign, received $220,000 from EADS in 2007, according to congressional lobbying records.

McCain said Tuesday that his only role in the tanker issue was to try to ensure fairness.



Read more: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/354573_tankerprotest12.html

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The US filed a complaint with the WTO alleging that Airbus/EADS unfairly benefited from European subsidies awarded to the company. Airbus/EADS countered by arguing the Boeing receives similar subsidies in the form of tax breaks. The original tanker contract required bidders to explain how the outcome of the WTO dispute might affect their ability to perform under the contract. This requirement was regarded as hurting the Airbus/EADS bid.

McCain wrote a letter to the Air Force in December 2006 complaining about the requirement. Four days later it was removed from the bid specifications.

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/aerospace/archives/134001.asp

[jody]

1. Boeing has a good chance of winning because apparently the criteria used were different than those

in the RFP.

[MrCoffee]

2. It appears that the Air Force made several substantive changes in favor of EADS

[jody]

3. I wish a reporter would evaluate the effect of subsides on Airbus cost. n/t

[zbdent]

4. why aren't Repukes screaming about a French company winning a defense contract?

I'm sure they could come up with something about the plane surrendering at the border ...

[MrCoffee]

5. "surrendering at the border"

:spray: :rofl:

[Kolesar]

6. I kinda hate Boeing

Not to be too harsh to the employees of the company, but their management is the worst example of the military-industrial complex run amok. Lobbying, lying, warmongering, profiteering, and all for bigger stock options for senior management.

[sam sarrha]

8. and the worst example of management, period.. but they are 'ours'

[depakid]

9. The previous lease deal that they pushed was sure a beauty!

That alone probably ought to ave disqualified them from this contract.

Not to mention that the Northop/Airbus entry is the better aircraft.

[sam sarrha]

7. they didn't figure in the effect of Subsidies on airbus.. not as cheap as it looks