Change RFP or split tanker buy?

MOBILE, Ala. - Northrop Grumman Corp. and regional political leaders called Monday for changes to the second round of tanker bidding or for a congressional mandate to split the contract between the Northrop Grumman/EADS team and rival Boeing. The split buy option has been brought up before, but it’s opposed by the Pentagon. Monday, U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, D-Ala., and Mobile Mayor Sam Jones said they favored a split as a way to head off more delays. Some 400 people gathered at the Battle House Hotel in Mobile for the tanker briefing. Northrop and EADS want to assemble the tankers in Mobile. (Source: Mobile Press-Register, 11/17/09)