Washington: European aerospace giant EADS is “working hard” to understand what is needed to bid as the prime contractor for a US military contract for aerial refueling tankers, a spokesman told AFP Wednesday.
The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, the parent of Airbus, would bid as the lead contractor if it decides to bid, said Guy Hicks, spokesman for EADS North America. The contract is worth 35 billion dollars.
The US Department of Defense (DoD) announced on March 31 it would extend the deadline for bidding on the US Air Force tanker contract by 60 days if it receives formal notification from EADS that it intends to make an offer.
EADS had asked for a 90-day extension after its US partner and prime contractor Northrop Grumman had dropped out of the high-stakes contest, saying the contract requirements, known as a request for proposal (RFP), favored rival Boeing’s smaller warplane.
“We’re working hard to understand this RFP from the prospective of a prime contractor,” Hicks said.
“There has been no decision by EADS to bid. If we do bid, as the prime contractor we will assemble a strong American industrial team,” he added.
Boeing, which has vied for years with EADS over the tanker plane project, has accused its rival of trying to manipulate the contest.
Hicks noted that EADS’s North American unit has achieved prime-contractor status in the United States in recent years, including supplying light utility helicopters to the US Army.
“Since the time that we initially partnered with Northrop Grumman five years ago, EADS North America has matured and evolved into a recognized DoD prime contractor with all the infrastructure and capabilities necessary to execute complex military programs,” he said.
The Pentagon said it would extend the deadline for bids from May 10 to July 9 if EADS declares it will enter the contest.
The winner of the contract to supply 179 planes to update an aging 1950s era Boeing fleet of tankers is expected to be declared by “early fall,” a Pentagon spokesman said recently.
