Tiahrt Calls on Secretary of the Air Force to Provide Official Documentation Regarding Tanker Contract Decision

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) today sent the following letter to Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne requesting he provide specific documentation regarding the KC-X aerial refueling tanker contract decision to provide clarification for Members of Congress. The letter also highlights how substantial information was provided by the Air Force to the Lexington Institute on the day of the award announcement regarding the decision and rationale. However, Members of Congress are still receiving minimal information and are awaiting a full and detailed explanation.

The Honorable Michael W. Wynne
Secretary of the Air Force
1670 Air Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330-1670

Dear Mr. Secretary:

On February 29, 2008, the Air Force awarded a $35 billion KC-X Next Generation Air-refueling Tanker contract to the Northrop Grumman (NG)-European Aeronautic Defence and Space (EADS) Team. This controversial issue has brought wide-spread concern and many of us in Congress need more information on the selection process.

Although the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee has received a formal briefing and conducted several hearings with Air Force leadership, there are many unanswered questions. The Air Force continues to provide piecemeal information on the decision, raising more questions than answers about the fairness and logic of this competition.

Though Members of Congress remain uninformed about much of this process, the Air Force extensively debriefed Dr. Loren B. Thompson, Ph.D. with the Lexington Institute on the day of the award announcement regarding the decision and rationale. Dr. Thompson was provided this information prior to either competitor or a single Member of Congress.

I respectfully request the following documentation regarding the KC-X competition:

* All documentation briefed or provided to Dr. Loren B. Thompson, Ph.D. regarding the KC-X decision
* A list of Government officials who discussed the KC-X Tanker decision with Dr. Loren B. Thompson,     Ph.D. on Friday, February 29, 2008
* Northrop Grumman’s Official Bid Proposal
* The Boeing Company’s Official Bid Proposal
* The official Debrief Presentations of the KC-X Tanker Award Decision
* Any appropriate data to the KC-X Tanker Competition and Award

Congress has a responsibility to fully review this important decision. Until all the relevant information is provided, however, Congress can not be expected to support this controversial decision. I look forward to your prompt reply.

Rep. Todd Tiahrt
Member of Congress

March 19, 2008
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