Tanker Award Tanked

Yesterday, GAO overturned the Air Force’s award of the contract to Northrop Grumman/EADS (http://www.gao.gov/press/boeingstmt.pdf) for aerial refueling tankers, identifying seven distinct errors in the competition, including flaws in the technical and cost evaluations (the Air Force incorrectly determined that NG was the low cost offeror) and in the discussions. GAO recommended that the Air Force reopen discussions and request new proposals.