Air Force Planned Limited Rebid of Tanker Contract in 2008
An archived WKRG report said the Air Force planned a limited rebid of the tanker contract closely watched in Mobile in July 2008.
Historical report, published from archived local news coverage.
MOBILE, Ala. — On July 9, 2008, Mobile County Commissioner Steve Nodine told the station that the Air Force was expected to announce a limited rebidding of its roughly $40 billion aerial-refueling tanker contract.
The contract had been closely watched in Mobile because of the potential role of Northrop Grumman and EADS and the possibility of aircraft work and jobs in the area. The partners had proposed assembling tankers in Mobile.
The station reported that official word was expected from Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
This historical report reflects the anticipated rebid announcement at that time.
Why a rebid, and what came next
The rebid followed a ruling by the Government Accountability Office. The Air Force had chosen the Northrop Grumman-EADS tanker in February 2008, Boeing protested, and in June 2008 the GAO sustained parts of the protest and recommended that the Air Force reopen the competition. Gates announced later on July 9 that the competition would be reopened, with his office’s acquisition chief overseeing the new round instead of the Air Force.
That round was never completed. On Sept. 10, 2008, Gates canceled the solicitation and left the decision to the next administration. When the contest was run again, Northrop Grumman withdrew in 2010, EADS bid alone, and in February 2011 the Air Force awarded the contract to Boeing, whose tanker became the KC-46.
