FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    Contact: Adriana Surfas
Monday, June 23, 2008                           (202) 225-3661     

Members of CT Delegation Applaud GAO Tanker Decision

DeLauro leads broad coalition of colleagues from CT, WA, KS and other states on a letter to the Air Force urging the contract be revisited

Hartford , CT – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) joined with members of the state’s Congressional Delegation, as well as representatives from International Association of Machinists (IAM) for a rally marking the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) ruling against the Air Force tanker contract award. This decision puts the Boeing plane, built with Pratt and Whitney engines, back into strong contention for the contract.

Last week, the Government Accountability Office sustained the Boeing protest of the Air Force acquisition process for the $35 billion award to replace the aging KC-135 air refueling tankers.  The GAO identified substantial problems with the Air Force’s acquisition process, notably its failure to follow its own evaluation criteria.

To ensure the GAO’s recommendations are followed, DeLauro will lead a broad coalition of her colleagues from Connecticut, Washington, Kansas and many other states in sending a letter to the Air Force urging they re-bid the contract in a fairer and more transparent process.

“Thank you John – my dear friend, an unwavering fighter for the people of Connecticut .  Senator Chris Dodd. My dear colleagues Joe Courtney, Chris Murphy, and our partner Everett Corey with the IAM.  I am proud to stand with you as we work together so our workers can be part of Connecticut ’s modern manufacturing economy.

“We knew this $35 billion deal was wrong when the Air Force announced it in March. And the GAO confirmed it, dramatically, when they sustained Boeing’s protest last week. They saw what you and I saw – they saw that ‘the Air Force had made a number of significant errors that could have affected the outcome of what was a close competition.’

“The GAO pointed to the Air Force’s misleading discussions with Boeing, improperly evaluating lifecycle costs, and its failure to follow its own evaluation criteria, among many others.  One expert described these matters as not simply technical details, but ‘fundamental issues of fairness and competence.’  And that is why the GAO recommended the Air Force reopen the process and – at the end of the day give the contract to the best proposal. And I agree, which is why I will be leading a letter to the Air Force with my colleagues, in support of the GAO’s decision and strongly urging service to do the right thing.

“It is about respecting the American taxpayer. And it is about respecting the American workers at a time when the unemployment rate has increased to 5.5 percent – the biggest monthly rise since 1986.

“According to an Economic Policy Institute analysis released earlier this month, this original award would ground at least 14,000 U.S. jobs. Roughly half of the parts and labor that go into making Airbus tankers will come from overseas.

“Producing the Airbus KC-45 tanker would support about 14,350 U.S. jobs per year, while Boeing’s proposed KC-767 tanker, with critical elements made right here in Connecticut – would support, at least twice as many jobs, including those for high-skilled workers manufacturing engines right here in  Connecticut.

“Now is not the time speed up the erosion of our industrial base and skilled workforce.  Our economy has lost nearly 325,000 since the beginning of the year – instead of sending more jobs overseas and outsourcing our technological base, we should be supporting local innovation, creating jobs at home, and investing in our economy – investing in you, our nation’s heart and soul, the workers who have made Connecticut the thriving place it is today.” 

“We will work for you, together, by your side.”

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www.house.gov/delauro