By Associated Press
Washington, DC – The nominee to lead the Air Force said Tuesday a recent report detailing numerous problems with a $35 billion tanker contract was ''troubling,'' and he plans to review the service's process of awarding contracts.
In response to questions submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee, acting Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said the procurement system needs improvement.
The General Accounting Office concluded in its review that the Air Force did not review the Boeing and Northrop-EADS bids on the same merits and that it showed preference to the Northrop team. The team would have assembled the planes in Mobile.
The Air Force plans to rebid the contract. Donley was nominated to replace former Secretary Michael Wynne who was fired last month following a series of mix ups involving nuclear weapons.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)