IG asked to probe tanker bid mixup

The Pentagon's watchdog agency will respond "as soon as possible" to a request by seven senators to investigate whether a data mix-up could mar the aerial tanker competition. Boeing and EADS are competing for a $40 billion contract to build 179 tankers for the Air Force. The Air Force insists the mix-up last November involved no pricing data that could comprise the process. Meanwhile, Air Force Gen. Duncan McNabb, who heads the Pentagon's Transportation Command, on Monday said new tankers would help cut the military's fuel bills sharply. (Source: Reuters, 02/07/11) Gulf Coast note: EADS North America plans to assemble the aircraft in Mobile, Ala., if it wins all or part of the contract.