Boeing signals it will stay in tanker fight

Boeing signals it will stay in tanker fight
By Stephen Manning - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Aug 13, 2008 6:41:05 EDT

WASHINGTON — Boeing signaled Tuesday it will remain in the competition for a disputed $35 billion Air Force tanker contract, saying talks with the Pentagon were the start of a “continuing dialogue” over the latest round of bidding on the aerial refueling plane.

Officials from both Boeing Co. and rival Northrop Grumman Corp. met with Defense Department officials at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, to discuss the latest draft request for proposals for the second round of bidding on the tanker program. Some Boeing supporters say the new round is unfairly tilted to Northrop’s larger plane, and there has been speculation that Boeing might not bid again.

Boeing said the meeting was used to attain clarity about the changes in the criteria the Pentagon will use to pick a new winner.

“We hope that it was just the beginning of a continuing dialogue as we move toward a final RFP that prescribes the right aircraft and gives appropriate weight to all of the capabilities that will be required for the evolving mission over the next several decades,” Boeing said.

Company spokesman Dan Beck added that Boeing “remains committed” to providing a new tanker to the Air Force, but that it needs to be selected “through a fair, open and balanced competition.”


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/08/ap_tanker_boeing_081208/