UPDATE 2: Calls for New Air Force Tanker Contest Grow
After Wednesday's GAO conclusion that the Air Force made errors in awarding the $35 billion aerial refueling tanker contract to Northrop Grumman over Boeing, business groups seconded the GAO's recommendation for a new bidding process.
Mark Mitchell, vice president & musiness manager Local 20 of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, said in a statement:
"We applaud today's GAO ruling that the Air Force's tanker competition and decision was flawed. We agree wholeheartedly that the contract must be overturned and a new bidding process restarted."
Bob Muscat, executive director of the IFPTE Local 20, said in a statement:
"The GAO only confirms what so many of us have been saying for some time: this was a flawed decision based on a flawed process and it's now time for Congress to step in and require a new competition."
Joel Ayala, President and CEO of the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement:
"California's economy, our U.S. troops, and national security will be better served if the Air Force takes the GAO's concerns to heart and moves to redo the bidding process for the air tanker."
Tom Brandon, secretary treasurer of the California Conference of Machinists, said in a statement:
"Today's GAO decision is an important first step to right a terrible wrong. The Air Force under the watchful eye of the US Congress must take immediate steps to re-bid the tanker contract. We thank the American people for the outpouring of support in our effort to keep tens of thousands of experienced and loyal machinists working to protect our national security. Americans will be safer and our economy will be stronger if Machinists Union members continue a tradition of more than 50 years of top quality and skilled work on this next generation of transport tankers."