Senate Resolution 609--Recognizing the Need For Rapid Recapitalization of the KC-135 Aerial Refueling Fleet Through Re-Competition of the United States Air Force's Kc-X Solicitation

Floor Speech

SENATE RESOLUTION 609--RECOGNIZING THE NEED FOR RAPID RECAPITALIZATION OF THE KC-135 AERIAL REFUELING FLEET THROUGH RE-COMPETITION OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE'S KC-X SOLICITATION -- (Senate - July 07, 2008)

Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Mr. BOND, Mr. ROBERTS, and Mrs. MCCASKILL) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services:

S. Res. 609

Whereas aerial refueling tankers are the backbone of the worldwide airpower capability of the United States;

Whereas the United States Air Force fleet of KC-135 aerial refueling tankers is aging and needs to be recapitalized; and

Whereas recapitalization of the KC-135 medium-sized aerial refueling tanker is the top acquisition priority of the United States Air Force: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) encourages the United States Air Force to quickly re-compete the KC-X solicitation on the terms the Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommended in its June 18, 2008, decision;

(2) recognizes that a rapid, thorough, and fair re-competition under the terms of the original KC-X request for proposals is the best way to provide the United States Air Force with next-generation aerial refueling tanker capability in a timely manner;

(3) recognizes that the KC-X solicitation is the first phase of a three-phased strategy for recapitalizing the tanker fleet, and that the KC-X solicitation should be based on a full and transparent competition to select a single aircraft design; and

(4) supports the recommendation of the Government Accountability Office that ``the Air Force reopen discussions with the offerors, obtain revised proposals, re-evaluate the revised proposals, and make a new source selection decision, consistent with this decision.''

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