Panel to get split buy data

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Defense Secretary Robert Gates will provide data to Congress on the cost of buying tankers from both Boeing and the Northrop Grumman/EADS team. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye planned to insert language requiring the data in the fiscal 2009 war spending bill, but dropped the plan after talking to Gates. Pentagon officials oppose splitting the contract, saying it would be too costly. Some in Congress say a split buy would prevent a losing side from filing a protest and delaying the important procurement. (Source: Reuters via Forbes, 05/14/09) Gulf Coast note: Northrop/EADS will assemble the tankers in Mobile, Ala., if they win all or part of the contract.