Thu, Apr 03, 2008
GAO Says No To Requests For Dismissal Of Boeing
Allegations
When is a defeat not a defeat? Ask Northrop Grumman... which on
Thursday acknowledged the Government Accountability Office denied
its motion, and one filed by the US Air Force, asking for a partial
dismissal of a protest filed last week by Boeing regarding the KC-X
decision process.
However -- and this is a big "but" -- Northrop says that GAO
denial comes after Boeing pared down its original protest to a few
key elements, eliminating much of what both Northrop and the USAF
cited in calling for that dismissal.
"Boeing's decision to abandon the public relations rhetoric
contained in its original protest filings is in keeping with our
motion," said Randy Belote, Northrop Grumman vice president of
corporate and international communications. "We are encouraged that
the company has streamlined its approach. We remain convinced that
the Air Force process that led to Northrop Grumman's selection was
fair, open and transparent, and we look forward to assisting the
Air Force defend its selection decision before the GAO."
As ANN reported, the US Air
Force and Northrop filed separate requests March 27 to dismiss
parts of a protest by Boeing against the award to Northrop of the
$35 billion KC-X aerial tanker contract. Politicians at every level
of government in the US have vowed to fight the award to Northrop
Grumman, saying Northrop's partnership with the European Aeronautic
Defence and Space Company sends what should be US manufacturing
jobs overseas.
In addition to protesting the decision to award the KC-X
contract to the Airbus A330-derived tanker offered by Northrop and
EADS, Boeing also took the battle to the court of public opinion --
running full-page ads challenging the decision.
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