World Business

WASHINGTON —

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Boeing Co. is considering bailing out of a politically charged emulation for a $40 billion contract to build aerial refueling tankers for the Air Force, if it does not receive an additional four months from the Pentagon to assemble its offer.

The aerospace manufacturer said Friday it also may file a protest on the final bids request - expected to exist released early nearest week by the Pentagon - that could further delay some award. No ultimate decision desire be made until Boeing has a chance to review the final bids request, said company spokesman Daniel Beck.

“It’s very clear to us this is a new competition,” reported Beck. “Clearly, the requirements be obliged changed and the Defense Department is essentially asking for a different kind of level from the leading competition.”

Boeing lost the initial contract in February to Northrop Grumman Corp. and its partner Airbus parent European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co. The competition was reopened subsequently government auditors found “significant errata” in the Air Force’s settlement. The revamped competition direction focus on eight areas in what place the Government Accountability Office found problems through the initial process.

A Boeing decision not to submit another solicit could jeopardize Pentagon efforts to maintain a two-team competition to replace 179 Eisenhower-era refueling planes. The deal - one of the largest in Pentagon history - is the first of three contracts worth up to $100 billion to replace nearly 600 refueling tankers over the next 30 years.

“This is a strange situation influencing forward,” declared Richard Aboulafia, an analyst for the Teal Group in Virginia. “The Pentagon is quite mindful that Congress is more likely to go to bat for Boeing granting that this becomes a individual source contract.”

Based on its write a critical notice of of the draft request for bids, Boeing said it’s clear the Air Force is looking for a larger-sized aircraft with greater cargo dimensions and better fuel offload capabilities.

“If we don’t receive enough time to prepare a competing proposal, there’s really little choice for us than to no-bid in this competition,” said Beck.

The Chicago-based company contends it is not asking the Pentagon to change its requirements - just for additional time to state in language together a competitive offer. Boeing declined to specify what kind of changes it would make ready in a new bid, but declared it is considering other types of arising from traffic aircraft.

“We think we can meet these requirements if given the time to state in language together a proposal,” said Beck.

Defense consultant Jim McAleese said John Young, the Pentagon’s acquisition chief, is well-adapted to provide Boeing with a “modest” amount of time to redo its solicit, but nothing that would put it beyond the current administration.

Pentagon spokesman Chris Isleib before-mentioned the department is steady track to give up its definitive request for bids early next week, otherwise than that declined to provide any to a greater distance comment due to the ongoing negotiations.