Northrop won't bid on tanker or protest RFP

Northrop Grumman says it won't compete for the U.S. Air Force's multibillion-dollar aerial tanker contract, and furthermore will not protest the request for proposals. The decision forces Airbus parent EADS to decide whether it will submit a solo bid. Northrop had complained that the RFP was changed from the previous competition, and that this one favors the smaller tanker being proposed by Boeing. Northrop and its partner EADS won the last competition in February 2008, but it was overturned after a protest by Boeing. In a statement from Northrop CEO Wes Bush, he said the company "will not protest," even though it feels it has substantial grounds to support a GAO or court ruling to overturn the revised source selection process. Bush said America's warfighters have waited too long for a tanker. Rep. Jo Bonner, R-Ala., said he was "deeply disappointed" Northrop won't be bidding. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., said the Air Force had a chance to provide the most capable plane for warfighters and "blew it." (Source: Reuters, Los Angeles Times, Seattle Times, Mobile Press-Register, Tcp, 03/08/10) Gulf Coast note: Northrop and EADS wanted to assemble the tankers in Mobile, Ala., at Brookley Industrial Complex, creating at least 1,500 jobs.