GAO Will Expedite Tanker Protest Ruling

Aug. 23, 2010

The Government Accountability Office intends to issue its ruling on US Aerospace’s KC-X tanker protest in early October, about one month sooner than it is required to act by law. According to GAO’s website, the decision on US Aerospace’s complaint against the Air Force is now expected to fall on Oct. 6, 35 days sooner than the Nov. 10 deadline. US Aerospace lodged its protest on Aug. 2, after learning that the Air Force considered its proposal ineligible for arriving late. The company disputes this. Pentagon officials have maintained that they would announce the winning KC-X contractor sometime this fall—most likely after the midterm Congressional elections in early November. GAO’s expedited ruling may make it easier for the Pentagon to stay on that schedule. Regardless of what happens with US Aerospace, the Air Force is already evaluating tanker bids by Boeing and EADS North America.

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