Writing in support of Northrop Grumman and the “Mobile region” the Mobile Press-Register has and editorial summing up the situation on the new RFP from their view. They do not demand that the RFP be changed or the contract be given to Northrop and EADS but they do point out that:

“If Northrop pulls out of the contest, Boeing may get the tanker contract, but the entire deal will be tainted — first by Boeing’s own corruption and collusion with some Pentagon officials several years ago over an earlier version of the tanker deal, and second by a decision-making process that puts politics above defense needs.”

It is true that a single bid competition is not much of a competition.

In an article in The Mobile Press Register Senators Shelby (R-AL) and Sessions (R-AL) make it clear that they are not happy with the new RFP. Shelby says “The final RFP discredits the integrity of the entire process,” and Sessions seems to feel that Northrop Grumman (NOC) won’t bid. He laments the lack of competition in the process.

This of course is not a surprising reaction as Northrop and EADS planned to assemble the basic A330 aircraft in Mobile, AL and then integrate the military systems at a Northrop facility.

The Northrop Grumman and EADS team will build their tanker in Mobile, AL if they win the contract again. Last year when they had done so before the Boeing protest the plant was ready to go. This means that the team has the support of Alabama’s politicians and media. Senator Sessions had tried to get language inserted into a defense funding bill that might have helped Northrop but lost that vote.

Now the Mobile Press-Register has an article where the experts they interviewed question the structure of the new draft RFP and how it may be unfair to Northrop and EADS. It is certainly true that a focus on price over capability might affect the Air Force’s source selection but it may be too early to tell that. Plan on seeing more articles supporting the local favorite in Alabama media.