Air Force Responds to GAO CSAR-X Decision

(WASHINGTON) -- Responding to recent media reports, Air Force officials today clarified their intent to comply with the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) February 26 recommendation concerning the protested CSAR-X contract award. Since the GAO announced its decision to sustain protest of the award of contract FA8629-07-C-2350 to the Boeing Company, the Air Force has been working to develop a suitable way ahead.

"Recent reports in the media have not fully captured the complexities of this process," said Brig. Gen. Michelle Johnson, Director of Public Affairs for the Air Force. "We intend to pursue a course of action that complies with the GAO recommendation and is fair to all offerors."

The Air Force intends to issue an amendment to the Request for Proposal to clarify its intent with respect to the evaluation of Operations and Support (O&S) costs. The Air Force will issue an amendment after the GAO clarifies any remaining issues. The Air Force will ensure that all offerors are made aware of how Air Force manpower standards are applied and how the Air Force will assess CSAR-X manpower-associated O&S costs.

The Air Force has requested that GAO clarify whether any of the other issues contested during the protest, but not addressed in the GAO decision, are sustained or denied. The Air Force believes such information is important for purposes of complying with the GAO decision in a way that is transparent and fair to all offerors. The Air Force will fully consider and respond appropriately to the GAO's decision on reconsideration.

The Air Force intends to allow the GAO adequate time to issue its decision in response to the request for reconsideration. Air Force officials said they understand that the GAO intends to issue its decision by June 15. The Air Force will consider and respond appropriately to the GAO's decision.

If the evaluation of the revised proposals results in a change to the CSAR-X Best Value Source Selection decision, the Air Force will make any necessary changes in contract award.

"The Air Force remains committed to a fair, open and transparent process while working to resolve this protest," said Sue Payton, Air Force Service Acquisition Executive. "Additionally, we have a moral obligation to deliberately and expeditiously deliver the Combat Search and Rescue capability the warfighter needs to protect those who are in the fight today, and in the future, in operations around the world."

Source : USAF

Recent News from USAF

• Air Force to Release Request for Proposal on KC-X Program [Defence] [ Mon 29 Jan 2007 ]
• B-52 undergoes synthetic-fuel cold weather testing at Minot [Defence] [ Mon 22 Jan 2007 ]
• KC-135 Accident Investigation Board Complete [Defence] [ Thu 21 Dec 2006 ]
• Air Force Releases KC-X Draft Request For Proposals [Defence] [ Sun 17 Dec 2006 ]
• B-52 flight uses synthetic fuel in all eight engines [Defence] [ Sun 17 Dec 2006 ]
• Air Force advances space vehicle development [Space] [Defence] [ Fri 17 Nov 2006 ]
• Air Force Selects Developer For Combat Search And Rescue Replacement Vehicle [Aerospace] [Defence] [ Fri 10 Nov 2006 ]