Tanker Truths

14 Apr 2008
KIRO's Interpretation Contrary to Other Media Analyses
Seattle's KIRO selectively interprets an independent report by the Teal Group to suggest that Boeing stands a good chance of persuading the Government Accountability Office to reverse Northrop Grumman's win of a contract to build America's next generation of aerial refueling tankers.

Problem is, KIRO's report flies in the face of analysis by numerous other media outlets, including Reuters, which reported that the Teal Group believes Northrop Grumman "probably will hold onto" the contract award.

Further, KIRO's conclusions don't take into account that the Air Force judged Northrop Grumman superior in 4 out of 5 major evaluation criteria. Or that the Air Force expressed little confidence in Boeing's ability to deliver planes on time and on budget. Or that the Air Force concluded Northrop Grumman offered a plane of superior value at a cheaper price.

KIRO also ignores the fact that Northrop Grumman has already built, flown and tested its aircraft — while Boeing, the losing bidder, hasn't even built its plane yet.

Perhaps most important, the GAO will be evaluating whether the Air Force properly informed the bidders about what it was looking for in a new aircraft — and whether it made its evaluation on the basis of those criteria. During the bidding process, Boeing itself praised the Air Force for conducting a fair and open competition — and never protested then, when it had the right to, and when a protest could have changed the terms of evaluation the Air Force was using.

KIRO also ignores the fact that the GAO's own statistics show that eight of every 10 contract awards are allowed to stand.

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