Capitol Hill Concerns Could Drive A Requirements Rewrite

The US Air Force is pushing back its request for bids on a new tanker until the end of January. The change was made amid concerns on Capitol Hill the bid contest isn't fair enough.

The scheduling slip comes as a bit of surprise as recent statements from the service indicated it would seek bids by the middle of December. But a rewrite to the bid requirements is driving the schedule change, including the Air Force's decision to drop a requirement that contenders answer to World Trade Organization disputes in their bid.

In a release, the Air Force said, "Releasing the RFP in January is necessary to ensure all parties, to include the Air Force, Congress, the Department of Defense and any potential offerers have a chance to review the updates to the draft and have open discussions."

The concern in Washington seems to center around the future tanker's requirements listed in a draft document. Senator John McCain says the list doesn't appear to consider a "capabilities-based" analysis according to Dow Jones' Marketwatch.

A Pentagon requirements council says it wants a plane that can haul cargo and pax as well as plenty of fuel without publishing firm numbers for any of them.

In a letter to the Pentagon McCain wrote, "It is difficult to see how the [Pentagon's] recommendation can be implemented. As a result, competition may, once again, be eliminated before bids are submitted."

The service maintains it's drawn up requirements as fairly as possible given the difference in size between the two main competitors. Service officials say they've got Senator McCain's letter, but haven't corresponded with him about it.

Despite the delay in seeking bids, Air Force officials remain confident the delay won't change its goal of picking a bid winner in the second half of next year.

A comprehensive update to the draft request is due out today.

FMI: www.af.mil