WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) issued the following statement following the Air Force press conference at the Pentagon today:

 

“I am glad to see that the DoD made improvements in the draft RFP, such as the calculation of life-cycle costs based on a 40-year period. Just as I had called for, fuel costs will be taken seriously and fully calculated. However, I remain troubled that extra credit could be given to the larger tanker. When DoD says “positive consideration” of key attributes and system parameters they really mean “extra credit.” We need a close review of the draft RFP to make sure that all the problems identified by the GAO are fully addressed and there should be no extra credit for a larger tanker.

 

“I remain in a dialogue with Secretary Gates about my concerns and believe he will work to address them.”

 

 

# # #